Forestry Ecostation

To understand the forest we must know about the history of the forest, what forces have shaped it, and the interactions between people, forest and nature. 

The Massachusetts forest provides us with clean air, clean water, wildlife, food, wood products and a variety of recreational opportunities. In order to obtain these benefits we must understand what factors influence the forest as well as the impacts of people’’s activities. 

Silviculture is the management of the forest to produce a desired benefit. The Forest section of the Massachusetts Envirothon Guide covers a variety of forestry issues including (but not limited to):

• Forest history
• Forests today
• Forest ecology
• Fires
• Urban forests
• Management options
• Tree and shrub identification
• Forestry techniques

Forestry Eco-Station Test Preparation Resources

In preparation for the Forestry Eco-Station Test, below are recommended sources:

• Forest Station Manual
• Virtual Webinars
  • Tree ID
  • Forests Carbon Dynamics
• Story Maps
  • Forest Carbon Data Visualization
  • Massachusetts Forest Health Story Map Collection
• Websites
  • Northern Forest Atlas – Woody Plant Guide
  • Forestry in Massachusetts
• Downloads
  • Tree Identification (powerpoint presentation from USDA/AHPIS Asian Longhorned Beetle team)
  • Envirothon Trees Dichotomous Key (Use with Tree Identification)
  • Bark Types (PDF)
• Books
  • Peterson Field Guide: Trees and Shrubs

Other Useful Resources

These resources will not be covered on the Forestry Eco-Station Test but offer fascinating and insightful information to assist you with understanding the bigger picture.

• Virtual Webinars
  • Careers with Trees
• Downloads
  • Offline Engagement: Trees!
  • Building a Biltmore Stick (Purdue.edu)
• Books
  • Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England | Written by Tom Wessels
  • Stepping Back to Look Forward: A History of Massachusetts Forests | Written by Charles H. W. Forster, Editor
  • Fruit Key & Twig Key to Trees and Shrubs | Written by William M. Harlow
  • Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs | Written by William Trelease
• Websites
  • Northern Region Forest Inventory & Analysis – US Forest Service
  • Glossary of Forestry Terms
  • Forestry Images 
  • NCF Envirothon website for state websites resources
    (Click on other Northeastern states to view their resources)
  • USDA Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
  • Tom Wessels: Reading the Forested Landscape part 1
  • Tom Wessels: Reading the Forested Landscape part 2
  • Tom Wessels: Reading the Forested Landscape part 3
  • MA Forest Stewardship Program

For more information, please contact the Massachusetts Envirothon Coordination Team (massenvirothon@gmail.com)