Jim Merzenich

This property was purchased by the owner, Jim Merzenich, in 1990 and has been free to grow for several years. The 50-acre farm, on Griggs drive just west of the Providence Church, has fir stands (plantations) ranging from 25 to 80 years of age and an equal acreage in ponderosa pine, oak, and wetlands. Large black cottonwood trees provide nesting habitat for owls, raptors, and pileated woodpeckers. We will view the “mother” ponderosa pine tree and a grove of 120-year-old Douglas fir trees growing on the floor of the valley.

Commercial thinning and group selection harvests are planned in the fir stands and NRCS-funded habitat restoration is planned elsewhere. We will seek advice from other tree farmers on how to best manage this complex property.

On this tour we will walk for about a mile on level ground. This is a “Before” tour. We plan to have an “After” tour when these management treatments are completed.

The property abuts Griggs drive just a quarter mile west of Richardson Gap road. Parking at the tree farm is very limited, so please park at The Providence Vineyard church at 35787 Richardson Gap Rd. We have permission to park in their lot. This historic church is on the east side of Richardson Gap Road just north of Griggs Drive. Our farm is about an eight-minute walk from the church. OSWA tree farm signs will direct you to the tour.