Most discussions about forests and forest management are filled with terminology, concepts, and techniques that are alien to most landowners in Wisconsin. The publications included here define many of these concepts and provide some background for the understanding of management prescriptions foresters might recommend for your forest.
Have a tree to identify, try the tree key.
Definitions and terms
Forest Succession (PDF)
Produced by: UW-Madison Dept of Forest Ecology and Management, 1996
Publication number: Forestry Fact 78
Keywords: old growth, succession, forest management, change, communities, associations
Forestry Terms (PDF)
Produced by: UWEX Cooperative Extension, 1996
Publication number: G3018
Keywords: definition, meaning, abbreviations
How Forest Trees Grow (PDF)
Produced by: UWEX Cooperative Extension
Publication number: G3277
Keywords: forest management, tree, growth, height, diameter, roots, branches, reproduction, flowering, seed production
What Is A Board Foot? (PDF)
Produced by: UW-Madison Dept of Forest Ecology and Management, 1989
Publication number: Forestry Fact 42
Keywords: definition, board foot, volume, measurement, inventory, diameter, timber harvest
What Is A Chain? (PDF)
Produced by: UW-Madison Dept of Forest Ecology and Management, 1989
Publication number: Forestry Fact 45
Keywords: definition, chain, distance, measurement, inventory
What Is A Cord? (PDF)
Produced by: UW-Madison Dept of Forest Ecology and Management, 1989
Publication number: Forestry Fact 44
Keywords: definition, cord, volume, measurement, inventory, timber harvest
What Is Basal Area? (PDF)
Produced by: UW-Madison Dept of Forest Ecology and Management, 1989
Publication number: Forestry Fact 43
Keywords: definition, basal area, measurement, diameter, inventory, timber harvest
Wood Use and Society (PDF)
Produced by: UW-Madison Dept of Forest Ecology and Management, 2001
Publication number: Forestry Fact 93
Keywords: wood products, wood use, production
Woods Words (PDF) (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Produced by: UWEX Cooperative Extension- Environmental Resources Center
Publication number: ERC1
Keywords: resources, foresters, loggers
Inventory and measurements
Forest Trees of Wisconsin (PDF) OR try the Tree ID Key
Produced by: WI Department of Natural Resources, 2003
Publication number: FR-053
Keywords: identification, tree, forest
Make Your Own Diameter Tapes (PDF)
Produced by: MNDNR
Publication number: PLT1
Keywords: measurement, diameter, circumference
Measuring Trees and Estimating Volume (PDF)
Produced by: UWEX Cooperative Extension
Publication number: G3332
Keywords: measurement, volume, height, diameter, inventory
Estimating and Interpreting Site Index (PDF)
Produced by: UWEX Cooperative Extension, 1996
Publication number: G3361
Keywords: measurement, site quality, potential, investment, management, capacity, productivity
Estimating Stocking Conditions (PDF)
Produced by: UWEX Cooperative Extension, 1996
Publication number: G3362
Keywords: measurement, stand, stocking, basal area, density, management, yield, volume, growth
Land Measurement and Survey (PDF)
Produced by: Oregon State University Extension
Publication number: PNW-581
Keywords: survey types, legal basis, maps, aerial photographs, GIS, GPS
Tree Identification Key (PDF)
Produced by: UW Stevens Point
Publication number: LEAF1
Keywords: identification, leaf
Winter Tree Identification Key (PDF)
Produced by: UW Stevens Point
Publication number: LEAF2
Keywords: identification, twig, bud, fruit, scar