The Forestry Basics and Forest Science

1. The Forestry Profession
2. Fire in the Forest
3. Forest Insects and Disease
4. Harvesting and Selling Trees
5. Saws and Sawmills

The Forestry Profession

Tree care and forest management use techniques that have been much advanced using the methods developed by the sciences of silviculture and arboriculture and practiced by the professional forester and certified arborist.

• American Forester Profile
• Finding a Job in Forestry
• The Major American Forestry Schools

• Professional Forester Requirements
• Forestry Associations and Organizations
• National Forests in the United States

Fire in the Forest

Fire and forests go back to the prehistoric and they have existed together for millions of years. The temperate world's forest ecosystem has developed with forest fire as a preeminent partner - a regenerator, a rejuvenator but also can lead to a forest's ruination. This fire/forest/human symbiosis is complicated but essential and I tell you why.

• The Forest Fire Basics
• Firefighting/Wildfire Protection
• Current Wildfire Maps and Condition Reports
• Introduction to Wildland Fire Suppression

• Prescribed Fire in Forests
• Wildfire Tragedies
• Causes of Wildfire Fatalities
• Smokey Bear

Forest Insects and Disease

Insects and disease kill more trees in urban and rural forests than any other pest agent. Diseases and insects account for nearly ten times the mortality to trees than does fire or weather. It is important to identify these biotic pests in a forest.

• An Index of Tree Diseases
• The Most Common Tree Disease Classifications
• The Most Deadly Tree Diseases

• An Index of Harmful Tree Insects
• The Most Deadly Insects to Conifers
• The Most Deadly Insects to Hardwoods

Harvesting and Selling Trees

A tree is a valuable and renewable resource. The science of forestry and silviculture has been developed to grow trees for many reasons and is especially devoted to growing mature forests for harvest and regenerating new stands for future forest products. Sustainablility (always having trees in various stages of maturity throughout the life of a forest) is the ultimate goal.

• A Guide to Selling Trees
• Understanding Wood Volumes
• Avoiding Timber Theft
• The Timber Sale Contract

Saws and Sawmills

If you've ever thought about using or purchasing a chainsaw or a portable sawmill, this section is developed just for you. Operating equipment with spinning blades to fell, buck, and saw large trees is inherently dangerous to do if you are not prepared.

• How to Fell a Tree
• An Expert Interview - Chainsaw Safety
• Buying a Portable Sawmill - a Mill Consultant Interview
• Questions and Answers About Chainsaws