A New Silvicultural Guide for Northern Conifers in the Northeast
Since early in the twentieth century, silvicultural guides have been written for specific United States forest types. These guides provide information about site potential, species ecology, stand composition and structure, damaging agents, and recommended approaches (silvicultural systems) for growing healthy trees and producing desired outcomes. Just like the forests themselves, silvicultural recommendations have changed over time with the advancement of science and emergence of concerns and values, such as biodiversity and climate change, that were unknown to our predecessors. Yet, the silvicultural guide for the northern conifer forest type covering 6 million acres of New England is close to 50 years old with little relevance to the conditions and challenges facing forest managers today.
NSRC researchers will remedy that problem by synthesizing and interpreting an additional half-century of forest research to develop scientifically robust and ecologically sound silvicultural recommendations within the context of contemporary forest management needs. Researchers will ensure applicability and inclusion of diverse perspectives through a process of co-production in which an advisory panel of stakeholders from state and federal agencies, Tribal entities, landowners, forestry practitioners, and others provide guidance on content and delivery.
Outputs include a new silvicultural guide for northern conifers based on the best available science and published by the USDA Forest Service, a professionally produced companion video, and a field workshop for practitioners. Outcomes will include more effective near-term management with improved long-term sustainability of northern conifers and the communities they support in the Northern Forest region.
Download 2021 progress report (PDF)
Download 2022 progress report (PDF)