Vancouver man wins 2019 Tree Farmer of the Year

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Jared Larwick of Vancouver was recently recognized by the Clark County branch of the Washington Farm Forestry Association as the 2019 Tree Farmer of The Year. 

Jared Larwick grew up on two Clark County tree farms, spending his first eight years on 40 acres near Peart Road and then moving onto 100 acres in Dole Valley south of Yacolt with his family 1990. 

Larwick now owns 40 acres of that Dole Valley tree farm, managing the land as an experienced forester. Acreage on the west side of Rock Creek was sold to Columbia Land Trust in 2015.  Larwick always knew that, like his dad, forestry was his calling. Through the years, he helped plant trees, clear brush, prune, harvest trees, build trails, and operate a portable saw-mill on Larwick Timberlands in Clark County.

During summer breaks, while a forestry student at the University of Montana (Missoula), Larwick worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Vermont, Arizona, and Colorado. Larwick and his wife, Torun, now take their son to explore National Parks and monuments all over the U.S., filling the pages of 4-year-old Sterling’s National Park Passport. 



Larwick’s job as a professional forester is in line with his personal/professional goals. He works his own tree farm with that same passion, focusing on the health of seedlings, thinning, and vegetation control. Larwick and his family also spend time hiking, running, bicycling, white-water rafting, canoeing, and kayaking.

When thinking about the best parts of his job, Larwick said, “The reforestation and caring for the trees is my favorite part, making sure they are healthy and growing well.”

 The Larwicks hope to pass the tree farm on to their son in the future, as the third generation owner. Future harvest of the trees will occur in roughly 20 years, with young stand management to follow that harvest, including planting, vegetation control, and forest stand thinning. 

The Reflector Reporter Mary Broten contributed to this article.