Introduction

Monitoring and assessment trials are essential for measuring progress toward goals. They are conducted to observe short and long-term effects of alternative management practices. We conduct trials to see if a new approach works better than others used in the past. Management trials must function as an adaptive process.

New approaches must be tested for their success and outcome. In the case of silviculture, there may be questions about direct seeding a particular species, prescribed burning, scarification techniques, thinning techniques and the list goes on and on. Once trials are documented, the results and recommendations should be shared with others in the forestry profession.

This directory was developed to document silviculture trials conducted by DNR field foresters in the northern region of Wisconsin. It provides DNR employees with an overview of trials in a variety of cover types. Hopefully it will increase the awareness of forestry projects in our region. Conversely, it will help identify needs or issues in various covertypes for further exploration.

To qualify for a trial in the directory, documentation about a silviculture project must be made available. Documentation includes the project's objectives. The project then was implemented with site conditions and results documented i.e. habitat, soils, equipment used, before/after effects. Trials do not necessarily need to be a full blown research project, however, some measurable effects and results should be documented.

This document is sorted by covertype. Under each type there is a list of trials. The directory is electronically linked to various files. Click on each title and automatically it will link to the trial's abstract. Each trial has a brief abstract outlining the principal investigator, location, project description, results and recommendations. Some trials have more information than others with extensive reports, maps and pictures accompanying the abstract.

The directory then concludes with a sample abstract for your use and submittal. Our hope is to have this as a dynamic directory, each year adding more trials to the list. We are encouraging all to utilize adaptive techniques in forestry and share the results with others by submitting your trial abstract to me. Thanks to all who contributed to this project.

Colleen Matula, WDNR Northern Region Forest Ecologist/Silviculturist
P.O. 709, Mellen, WI 54546
715-274-4138, colleen.matula@wisconsin.gov

Last Revised: Friday August 08 2008

Silviculture Trials

Introduction

Table of Contents

Aspen

General

Hemlock

Jack Pine

Northern Hardwood

Red Oak

Red Pine

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood

White Birch

Sample Abstract