Hello All,
Bravo Steve! I have had huge concerns over some folks willingness to wipe out Russian Olive here in Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon. Many species have come to depend on this introduced tree species for winter thermal cover, forage base, predator evasion and nesting sites. Our largest populations of migrant thrushes,nesting owls and migrant warblers are in Russian Olives. I would not plant any more ,but I would be very very careful how many and where they were removed. This plant has been in the Columbia Basin for a little over a hundred years now and many native protected species of birds are now dependant on it for long term survival. It is the only habitat in many areas. There are no native trees that can replace it and perform all the services it provides. Thank-you Mike.

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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
1354 S. E. Central Ave.
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED!
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