The Peavy Arboretum in Corvallis, Oregon along with those at the Berry Botanic Garden in Portland, prove that Metasequoias grow wonderfully in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The Peavy Arboretum is part of the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, which is located about fifteen minutes north of the Oregon State campus. This is a huge research forest which consists of about 11,250 acres of mostly forested land on the western edge of the Willamette Valley. The Peavy Arboretum features the lovely Peavy Lodge and a rich history. It was the home of the original Oregon State Forest Nursery and the Civilian Conservation Corp camp in the 1930s. The Peavy Arboretum has the tallest Metasequoia in my study, and likely the tallest on the entire west coast.

I was shocked to learn of the size of this tree, and really pleased to know that Metasequoias grow great on both sides of the country. The ecosystem is the Pacific lowland mixed forest, and the Hardiness Zone is Zone 8, which is a tropical zone. Winds are average, and precipitation is average. The dominant soil orders are Alfisols and Mollisols.



This tree at the Peavy Arboretum proves that Metasequoias grow extremely well in the Willamette Valley. Two Metasequoias at the Peavy were Arnold Arboretum originals, received and planted in 1948. Of these two, the Meta that stands out is 140 feet tall with a base 41 inches in diameter. The next tallest trees at the Stanley Rowe Arboretum and Princeton University are over 130 feet tall. The other tree here has not grown quite as well, but has reached a height of 92 feet with a base 38 inches in diameter.

It is amazing that this Meta here has grown 140 feet in 57 years. Typically Metasequoias are stated as capable of reaching heights of 120 feet. I have recorded over ten Metasequoias that are over 120 feet tall. This tree will likely grow even higher. There are reports of a Metasequoia in China that had reached 160 feet before it was used for timber. My prediction is that Metasequoias will top even that height in the United States. Perhaps within ten years this tree at the Peavy, and others like at the Stanley Rowe Arboretum, will reach 150 or maybe even 160 feet. Only time will tell.

This is the tallest Metasequoia I have recorded, and the Peavy is undoubtedly one of the finest sites in my research because of this single specimen. This tree is tied for the Number One Tree in my Top Ten along with two Metasequoias from Princeton University.

Peavy Arboretum of Oregon State University

8692 Peavy Arboretum Road

Corvallis, OR 97330

http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/forests/arboretum/

Photos and data courtesy the Peavy Arboretum of Oregon State University

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