Restoring Dorris Ranch

At Dorris Ranch, 3,500 young, blight-resistant filbert trees are taking root in the rich, damp soil, promising a fresh start for this historic orchard. This planting marks a major milestone in a decade-long fight to save the nation's oldest working commercial filbert orchard, ensuring its legacy thrives for generations to come.

Phase III of the orchard replacement project began in November 2024, when roughly 40 acres of weakened and diseased filbert trees were removed and mulched into the soil. This sustainable removal method allowed nutrients to remain in the soil while increasing water retention. In January 2025, blight-resistant filbert trees were planted, effectively completing the largest single phase of orchard replacement at Dorris Ranch.

These small but mighty trees signify a new era of growth and resiliency at the park. While the trees settle into a new home, please give them the space to grow and thrive. By replacing infected trees with blight-resistant varieties, the orchards will require fewer treatments and provide reliable annual nut harvests, in addition to keeping the legacy of Dorris Ranch alive.

Willamalane first detected Eastern Filbert Blight at Dorris Ranch in 2015. Following recommendations from the Department of Agriculture, phases I and II of orchard replacement began shortly after. You can read more about the early phases of orchard replacement here.

In 1905, George and LuLu Dorris planted the first 50 filbert trees in the rich soil of Dorris Ranch, beginning a century of contributions to the filbert industry in the United States. Now, 120 years later, that legacy continues as the next generation of filbert trees take root in the park, where they will continue to grow alongside the community’s love for Dorris Ranch.

• Read about the history of Dorris Ranch.
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