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Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines

The Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines celebrate the wealth of the state's forest resources and emphasizes our responsibility to care for them. They outline practical, site-specific considerations that land managers need to take into account when they plan and carry out forestry operations. The guidelines cover sustainable forest management principles that can serve recreation, wildlife habitat improvement, endangered species protection, water quality, forest products and many other objectives.

The 400-plus-page Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines are written for a wide audience. As a result, some readers may find the guidelines to be more comprehensive than they need, while others may find them to be more basic than they prefer.

Application of the guidelines is voluntary, but the document does refer to statutes, administrative rules and programs that could involve mandatory procedures or prohibitions. In those situations, users are encouraged to review original source regulations for specifications that might not be covered in the guidelines.

This is the second revision of the original 2003 publication. The Forest Management Guidelines were last revised in 2011 and again in 2018. Going forward an emphasis will be made on revising each chapter on an individual basis. This will make the revision process more efficient thus providing the best customer service possible. Check this site periodically to view or download the most recent revisions. Revision dates can be found on the bottom of the page in each chapter.

View and download the complete Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines [PDF].

Table of contents

Purpose [PDF]

  • The Purpose of Integrated Guidelines
  • The Concept of Integrated Guidelines
  • Factors that May Affect Implementation
  • What the Guidelines Are
  • What the Guidelines Are Not

Chapter 1 – Wisconsin's Forests: A Quick Overview [PDF]

  • A Statewide Snapshot of Wisconsin’s Forests
  • A Brief History of Wisconsin’s Forests

Chapter 2 – Generally Accepted Silvicultural Practices [PDF]

  • Sustainable Forestry
  • Landowner Goals and Objectives
  • Site Evaluation and Stand Delineation
  • Silvicultural Systems Overview
  • Even-aged Silvicultural Systems
  • Uneven-aged Silvicultural Systems
  • Passive or Non-management Options
  • Silvicultural Systems Summary
  • Salvage Harvests
  • Unsustainable Harvest Methods
  • Management Prescriptions
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 3 – Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity [PDF]

  • Specific Wildlife Habitat Guidelines
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 4 – Visual Quality [PDF]

  • The Value of Visual Quality
  • Visual Sensitivity Levels
  • Resource for Additional Information

Chapter 5 – Riparian Areas and Wetlands [PDF]

  • The Value of Riparian Areas
  • Riparian Management Zones
  • BMPs for Riparian Management Zones
  • Wetlands
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 6 – Cultural Resources [PDF]

  • Cultural Resources
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 7 – Forest Soil Productivity [PDF]

  • The Value of Forest Soil Productivity
  • Soil Characteristics and Potential Impacts
  • Applying Guidelines to Varying Site Conditions

Chapter 8 – Threats to Forest Health [PDF]

  • What are Threats to Forest Health
  • What are Invasive Species?
  • Invasive Species are a Threat to Forests
  • Invasive Species and Forest Management
  • Elements of Invasive Species Management
  • Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species
  • Management of Select Forest Pests and Diseases
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 9 – Economics [PDF]

  • Balancing Economic Considerations and Other Forest Values
  • Basic Forest Management and Economics: Three Things Every Forest Landowner Should Know
  • Advanced Forest Economics: An Investment Analysis Primer
  • Tax and Record-keeping Considerations
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 10 – Forest Management Planning [PDF]

  • Forest Management Planning

Chapter 11 – General Operational Guidelines [PDF]

  • Operational Considerations
  • Protecting Cultural Resources
  • Fuels, Lubricants, Waste, and Spills
  • Post-operational Activities
  • BMPs: Operational Activities

Chapter 12 – Forest Road Construction and Maintenance [PDF]

  • Upland Forest Roads
  • Stream Crossing Design and Construction
  • Road Construction and Drainage
  • Drainage Structures
  • Soil Stabilization
  • Wetland Forest Roads
  • Federal Requirements for Forest Roads in Wetlands
  • Road Maintenance

Chapter 13 – Timber Harvesting [PDF]

  • Planning and Design Considerations
  • Operational Considerations
  • Post-operational Activities
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 14 – Pesticide Use [PDF]

  • Planning and Design Considerations
  • Operational Considerations
  • Post-operational Activities
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 15 – Reforestation and Afforestation [PDF]

  • Planning and Design
  • Operational Considerations
  • Post-operational Activities
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 16 – Intermediate Silvicultural Treatments [PDF]

  • Planning
  • Operational Considerations
  • Post-operational Activities
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 17 – Fire Management [PDF]

  • Planning and Design
  • Operational Considerations
  • Post-operational Activities
  • Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 18 – Forest Recreation Management [PDF]

  • Planning and Design
  • Operational Considerations
  • Resources for Additional Information

Appendices [PDF]

  • Tree Marking and Retention Guidelines
  • Sample Timber Sale Contract
  • Forest Certification
  • Regulations Relating to Forest Management
  • Permits
  • Cited References
  • Resource Directory
  • Glossary