SilviCast

Foresters have been warning landowners for years about the potentially damaging impacts of cows in their woods. So it is not surprising that we raise an eyebrow when conversations start about intentionally integrating livestock and forests. In this episode of SilviCast we explore the management practice known as silvopasture, or the intentional integration of trees, forage, and livestock. Join us as we discuss what silvopasture is and is not, with Rich Straight, Technology Transfer Leader at the U.S. Forest Service’s National Agroforestry Center.

To earn CEU/CFE credits, learn more, or interact with SilviCast, visit the SilviCast website.

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Business is booming if you own a commercial sugar bush! As forest managers, this means more and more of us are hearing from landowners interested in starting or maintaining a sugar bush. Unfortunately, if you are like us, you did not learn about maple syrup in forestry school. This episode's guest, Mark Isselhardt, Extension Maple Specialist with the University of Vermont, helps us unpack the fundamentals of sap production, sugar bush management, and how the industry has changed in the 21st century.

To earn CEU/CFE credits, learn more, or interact with SilviCast, visit the SilviCast website.

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Trees have had to migrate for millennia due to changes in climate. However, the pace of climate change today is far greater than historical tree migration rates, and land use changes have created new barriers to species movement. This has foresters and land managers thinking about the need for human-assisted movement of tree seed or seedlings to ensure that forests remain well-adapted to climatic conditions, a concept referred to as forest-assisted migration. In this episode of SilviCast we explore this complex issue with Dr. Carrie Pike, forest regeneration specialist with the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region. Dr. Pike brings in-depth knowledge of forest genetics, nurseries, and reforestation to help us consider practical and strategic approaches to assisted migration.

To earn CEU/CFE credits, learn more, or interact with SilviCast, visit the episode webpage. 

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Eastern white pine is an iconic tree of cultural and historical importance to eastern North America. The “great pineries” in this corner of the world were heavily exploited during the 19th century for everything from ship masts to lumber that built growing cities. But white pine has been quietly making a recovery over the past 150 years, and with that recovery white pine silviculture has continued to evolve. Join us for a conversation with Dr. William Livingston from the University of Maine as we explore the health and management of this fascinating tree species.​​​​

To earn CEU/CFE credits, learn more, or interact with SilviCast, visit the episode webpage. 

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One of the most interesting aspects of silviculture is that our understanding keeps growing. We look to old approaches, new research, and field practice to better manage our forests for a host of societal needs.  And perhaps there is no better place to look than how these forests function in the natural world – a natural models approach. This is the basis of ecological silviculture and the tools behind emulating natural disturbance. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tony D’Amato from the University of Vermont and Dr. Brian Palik from the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, and authors of Ecological Silviculture: Foundations and Applications.

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Interfering vegetation, be it native or invasive, is a real headache for foresters.  Sometimes we wind up wishing for one more tool in the toolkit when none of the current ones seem to fit. Luckily, some foresters are innovating and exploring new options. Some are turning to the oldest tool we have: grazing. In this episode we explore the world of targeted goat grazing with Brooke Hushagen and Greg Haak of HaakHagen Goat Grazing LLC. 

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Remember the natural regeneration triangle? Natural regeneration needs a seed supply, an environment conducive to seed germination, and a suitable seedbed. But sometimes it's difficult to get the right seedbed, especially when natural disturbances such as fire are lacking. Luckily foresters have another tool at their disposal: mechanical scarification. In this episode we dig deep into the topic of mechanical scarification with insights from Douglas County (Wis.) forester Craig Golembiewski and Clark County (Wis.) forester John Wendorski.

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Wildlife habitat is the primary goal for many forest landowners, and in particular forest bird habitat.  Silviculture treatments have great potential to provide quality habitat for birds if we know what to look for. Join us on this episode of SilviCast as we take a walk in the woods with Mike Demchik, Professor of Silviculture at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, while we discuss how to recognize the bird habitat elements that are missing in a woods and better integrate those elements into our silvicultural treatments.

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In this second episode of our two-part series on forest carbon, we explore ways to enhance carbon storage and sequestration through silviculture.  Whether it is through our choice of silvicultural system, how and when we employ intermediate treatments, or our tree retention practices, we will discuss how we can impact forest carbon and a host of other stand objectives.  Join us for this fascinating conversation with Todd Ontl and Luke Nave from the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science!

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In forestry school we learned about photosynthesis; the process by which trees use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to form sugars and oxygen.  But most of us did not learn much about how to purposely manage forest carbon once it’s in the ecosystem.  In this two-part series on forest carbon, we will explore ways to enhance carbon storage and sequestration through our silviculture.  In today’s episode (Part 1) we talk with Alexandra Kosiba, Ph.D., the first state climate forester with the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation, to better understand the basics of forest carbon.

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