About the Tree Farm

The 385 acres L.W. Schatz Demonstration Tree Farm started off as a generous donation to Cal Poly Humboldt from L. W Schatz on November 12, 1987.  The Tree Farm is located approximately 45 minutes southeast of the Humboldt campus, just north of the small community of Maple Creek. The forest vegetation includes a mix of Douglas-fir, grand fir and hardwood with an under-story of evergreen shrubs and ferns.  In 1997 a research facility was constructed on the property.  The facility includes a classroom, office, caretaker's apartment and a large kitchen.

An Oral History of the L. W. Schatz Demonstration Tree Farm

Cole Nichols, a Forestry senior, completed an extensive oral history of the Schatz Tree Farm for his senior thesis project in 2020. The objective of this project was to document the knowledge and experiences of the long-term manager of the Schatz Tree Farm, Gordon Schatz, in order to better understand the land management objectives for the Tree Farm, and to help guide and inform future management plans that may be developed. View the final report: Integrating Legacy Stewardship Knowledge in Managing for the Future: An Oral History of the L. W. Schatz Demonstration Tree Farm.

Tree Farming

Experimentation and research concerning all aspects of tree growing, harvesting, and replacement is one of the major purposes of the Tree Farm. Hardwood research is especially encouraged. The L. W. Schatz Demonstration Tree Farm is certified by the American Tree Farm System.

Public Outreach

Another priority of the Tree Farm is to encourage productive forest management on small privately-owned timberland by providing on site examples and educational outreach programs. Professional and community tours, meetings, seminars, conferences, and informal get-togethers are sponsored regularly by the Farm in order to disseminate information and query future research needs. In addition, the Tree Farm serves as a base for community service functions such as Scouting projects.

Student Education

Cal Poly Humboldt classes also take advantage of the "hands on" learning possibilities available at the Tree Farm in the form of field trips and special projects. In turn, many of the classes benefit from the Tree Farm. Graduate research opportunities abound and funding is sometimes available for specific projects.

Hardwood Utilization

In addition to tree cultivation, the Tree Farm is dedicated to promoting the economic development of non-industrial tree farming and the utilization of native California hardwoods. The Tree Farm is actively involved in demonstrating various creative uses for California hardwoods.

Forest Stewardship

The L. W. Schatz Demonstration Tree Farm was one of the first to receive a forest stewardship grant from the California Forest Incentive Program. Administered in California through the California Department of Forestry, the Forest Stewardship Assistance Act of 1989 is a cost sharing federal program designed to encourage the environmental enhancement of non-industrial forestlands. The Tree Farm is using the grant to demonstrate the integration of forest management practices with wildlife habitat enhancement and natural area aesthetics around riparian areas at two ponds.