To understand the forest we must know about the history of the forest; what forces have shaped it; and the interactions between man, 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 man’s activities. Silviculture is the management of the forest to produce a desired benefit. The Forest section of the Envirothon Guide covers a variety of forestry issues including (but not limited to): forest history, forests today, forest ecology, fires, the urban forests, management options, tree and shrub identification and forestry techniques.

VIRTUAL RESOURCES
Webinars:  Tree ID      Careers with Trees  Tree Measurement Forest Pests Urban Canopy Forests and Carbon

Story Maps: An up to date account of forest and carbon and another on Massachusetts Forest Health

USEFUL RESOURCES

 Peterson Field Guide: Trees and Shrubs

A Woodland Management Guide for Massachusetts
Middlesex Conservation District 1986

The Forest Stewardship Source Book
The Massachusetts Forestry Association and the Massachusetts Stewardship Program 1996

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

USEFUL LINKS

Forest Resource Related Links – DCR

Northeastern Forest Inventory & Analysis – US Forest Service

Forestry Glossary (not included on CD)

Forestry Images

NCF Envirothon website for state websites resources
(Click on other Northeastern states to view their resources)

Project Learning Tree

USDA Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

Powerpoint presentations from USDA/AHPIS Asian Longhorned Beetle team:
Forestry and You!
Tree ID

For more information contact:
Felicia Hubacz
Forester
Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Forest Health