Weyerhaeuser Timberlands Provide Critical Summer Habitat for Oregon Honeybees, Boosting Beekeeping Operations
Weyerhaeuser's timberlands in Oregon are serving as vital summer habitats for commercial honeybee colonies, significantly benefiting beekeepers like Devon Prescott of Prescott Honey Farms. Prescott, who manages one of Oregon's largest beekeeping operations, has placed between 2,500 and 3,000 hives on Weyerhaeuser land this summer, representing approximately 20% of his total bee population. These young forests offer an abundant supply of nectar and pollen from native plants such as blackberries and fireweed. The practice of leasing land for hives has become one of the fastest-growing areas within Weyerhaeuser's specialty forest products program. From 2023 to 2025, the number of hive leases on Weyerhaeuser land surged from 2,230 to 25,491, marking the highest total in at least a decade. This initiative, while contributing a small financial amount compared to other timberland uses, provides significant environmental and social benefits by supporting healthy ecosystems and rural communities.
