Years of drought causing tree die-off in Oregon forests

Douglas firs and other trees are dying in Southern Oregon forests, where three years of drought have taken a toll.

Pines, oaks and madrone do better in drought conditions than Douglas firs, but even more drought-tolerant trees like Ponderosa pines have lost out in Southern Oregon’s competition for water, experts told The Mail Tribune. The recent winter brought wet weather, but it was too late for many of the trees after prolonged drought conditions and beetle attacks