City to Host Dedication of Memorial Park Walnut Grove, Oregon’s Newest Heritage Trees on Sept. 16

August 5, 2021 — The City of Wilsonville is hosting a ceremony to formally recognize Memorial Park’s Stein-Boozier Walnut Orchard as Oregon’s newest Heritage Trees. The event takes place on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 11 am Thursday, Aug. 12, at 2 pm at the Murase Plaza Grove Shelter.  This event has moved because of excessive temperatures in the Aug. 12 forecast.

The Stein-Boozier Walnut Orchard received the Heritage Tree designation last year by the Travel Information Council (TIC).  A planned dedication event in April 2020 was put on hold because of COVID-19.

Attendees can expect to learn some Oregon history from former and current walnut and hazelnut growers, take a walk among the trees, tour the historic Stein-Boozier barn and see original nut dryer shed. The event includes light refreshments and samples of Oregon nut products.

Councilor Charlotte Lehan is the event’s unofficial emcee; she is introducing Travel Information Council representatives and is one of three speakers scheduled provide commentary.

The remnant English walnut orchard at Memorial Park exemplifies the thousands of acres of walnuts planted in western Oregon in the early 20th century, when walnuts were heavily promoted as the perfect crop for high returns.

Alas, wet fall weather and late Oregon harvests gave California a competitive advantage for holiday markets. After the 1962 Columbus Day Storm toppled many trees, walnuts never recovered, and the filbert industry became dominant.

The Stein-Boozier Walnut Orchard is the 76th Oregon Heritage Tree site. Previously, in 2019, two Wilsonville trees on the bank of the Willamette River were designated Heritage Trees; those trees carry scars and remnants of cables used to tie down log rafts when the river supported the logging industry. In 2014, the 120-foot Douglas fir at Merryfield Park was the first Wilsonville tree to earn Oregon Heritage Tree status.

The Oregon Heritage Tree Program is administered by the Travel Information Council (TIC) to  recognize Oregon trees of significance, to educate the public about their value and to promote their appreciation as part of our state’s heritage.

For more information on the Oregon Heritage Tree Program, please visit oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees/ or call TIC Heritage & Community Assets Manager Annie von Domitz at 503- 373-0864.

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