Management Practices
Find educational resources and advice on private forest management practices, including stewardship principles and sustainable forestry. Learn about control of forest vegetation, watersheds, wetlands, and native plants. Tips on small woodlots management, forest education, and road maintenance are available.
Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests
Best management practices (BMPs) for forests are activities that positively affect the forest ecosystem and minimize adverse effects. Applicable forest management practices can vary depending on the primary issue on which they are based. BMPs for insect and disease problems, for instance, include improving species diversity, changing species composition, and including harvesting timber to salvage dying trees.
Note that BMPs should be flexible in order to accommodate different changes in the economic, social, and environmental use of forest resources. Further information can be found in the Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests publication. There, you will also find advice on silvicultural practices, forest health and protection, and timber harvesting regulations.
For a successful forest management plan, you can access Penn State Extension’s resources on creating and enhancing woodlands. Information is available on maintaining property lines and implementing Integrated Vegetation Management to sustain healthy forest ecosystems. Woodland owners are invited to learn more about sustainable management decisions and find answers to common forest management questions.
Timber Harvesting
Harvesting timber is an essential management tool for preserving and improving the health of woods. Trees can be harvested for various reasons, including attracting wildlife species, improving access, and controlling the types of trees growing on the land.
Timber harvesting can also serve as a source of income. Before standing timber is sold, however, an inventory of the species, size, and volume of trees may be necessary. Foresters responsible for assessing timber utilize a cruise assessment to establish its value. Learn how to obtain fair market pricing when selling during the Valuing Standing Timber course.
While many woodland owners strive to maintain forest health when harvesting, short-term needs can prompt poorly planned harvesting decisions. If such timber harvests repeatedly occur in the same place, they can eventually lead to forest degradation.
In this section, find recommendations and advice on timber taxation procedures and record-keeping, as well as local timber harvesting ordinances. Information on general timber market trends is available, as well.
Sustainable Forestry
Sustainable forestry is an essential concept that provides for forests’ various uses by balancing the present and future needs of communities, the environment, and wildlife. Overall, sustainable forestry is concerned with all parts of the forest, including trees, soils, and water. It further involves protecting woodlands from pests, diseases, and wildfire, as well as conserving biodiversity.
While the process of conserving biological wealth in forests may appear complex, it is crucial for meeting our growing needs in a sustainable way. With the majority of Pennsylvania forestland owned by private citizens, forest landowners play an essential role in protecting biodiversity.
From planting trees and planning your forest's future to protecting wildlife habitats, this section offers woodland owners an array of valuable resources on sustainable forest management practices.
Private Forest Finances
Economic and financial factors can have a significant effect on the way forests are managed. What’s more, forest finance often affects the feasibility of implementing sustainable forestry practices.
Cost-saving strategies that can help landowners benefit from tax incentives include having a well-written forest management plan, keeping accurate records, and creating a professional tax team. Learn more about saving money on taxes during the Forest Finance and Timber Tax Education course.
In addition, forest owners can take advantage of Penn State Extension’s publication series on forest finances. Topics covered include economic sustainability and forest harvesting, fencing options for forest regeneration, and tree shelters for promoting favorable seedling growth conditions.
- Workshops
Free
Woods Walk- Past, Current, and Future Timber Management
When 09/07/2024Length 2 hours, 30 minutesExplore with us in Clarion County for a 2.5-hour workshop delving into active forest management on a private forest, featuring invasive plant control, group openings, and timber harvesting insights. - News
Pennsylvania Forest Online Seminar Series to Begin September 10th
Date Posted 7/17/2024The Pennsylvania Forest Online Seminar Series is held at Noon and 7:00 PM each month from September 2024 through June 2025. It offers a variety of topics of interest to forest landowners as well as the general public. - Workshops
Free
Pennsylvania State Park Plant ID Walk
When Multiple Options AvailableLength 1 hour, 30 minutesJoin us on a botanical journey with Cathryn Pugh to explore local plants, learn identification basics, and immerse in sensory nature experiences. - Articles
Nature Resources for Educators, Parents, and Youth
Field tested resources for helping educators meet Pennsylvania’s Environment & Ecology Academic Standards! - Articles
A Primer on Woody Biomass Energy for Forest Landowners
This article gives an overview of the scope and issues involved when considering whether managing a forest for energy production is a good option. - Videos
Wear Fluorescent Orange in the Fall
Length 1:36Fluorescent Orange clothing is not just for hunters. Anyone who recreates and spends time in the woods or outside is advised to wear it for safety, especially in the fall. - Online Courses
$114.75
Woodland Stewardship: Guided Engagement with Your Land
Sections 8Length 18 hoursLearn about forest ecosystems, management, and stewardship practices. Interact with educators through live discussions and discussion boards. - Videos
No Ugly Forest Moths
Length 5:45There are over 4000 species of moths in North America, and they perform many important functions in forest ecosystems. Their life cycles and complex designs are amazing. - Workshops
Plant ID Walk at Canoe Creek Park
Length 1 hour, 30 minutesInterested in a guided walk through one of central Pennsylvania's picturesque state parks, where you can learn about common plant species? Join us for a stroll at Canoe Creek State Park! - Videos
Invasion Ecology and Horizon Scanning for Invasive Organisms
Length 5:09Invasion ecology and horizon scanning for invasives are two new concepts that aid in preventing negative impacts from non-native organisms entering natural ecosystems. - Articles
Future Forest Steward
A forest steward is a person who owns and cares for a piece of forestland. This article explains different aspects of forestry and stewardship, and guides youth toward becoming future forest stewards. - Conferences
$275.00
Forest Landowners Conference: Sponsor and Exhibitor Registration
When 03/07/2025Showcase your commitment to sustainable forests as a sponsor or exhibitor, sharing your expertise and services with over 600 forest landowners and professionals at our 2025 conference. - Articles
Forest Stewardship: Teaching Youth About Forest Stewardship
This article is for parents, educators, and other adults who are interested in teaching youth about land management and forest stewardship. - Webinars
Advice from the Deep Woods: Non-Timber Forest Products
Join an ask-an-expert virtual event tackling your forestry and wildlife questions in a focused subject area – this time, non-timber forest products. - Videos
Timber Harvesting Essentials
Length 6:01Three key things people should know about timber harvesting are managing competing and invasive plants, decreasing deer impacts, and getting light to the forest floor. - Guides and Publications
Free
Educator Guidebook: Carbon Incentives for Forest Owners
A guidebook for professionals in forestry, education, and advocacy who want to help family forest owners learn about forest carbon incentives. - Webinars
Ukraine Series: The Future of Forests in Ukraine
Length 1.5Exploring the war's impact on Ukraine's people, forests, wetlands, and wildlife, envisioning their future, and engaging in the Ukrainian forests' future. - Webinars
A Crash Course in Conservation Genetics
Length 1 hourGet the latest on population management, habitat connectivity, small population mitigation, translocations/reintroductions, and forensic applications in this webinar. - Webinars
Free
Ukraine Series: Forest Fire Driven by War
When Watch NowLength 1.5Recorded Mar 8, 2024Join us to learn how the Ukrainian war has led to an unprecedented wave of forest fires, with locals combating them amidst the conflict and grappling with the consequential impact on land and communities. - Webinars
Free
Adapting Silviculture to a Changing World
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Mar 11, 2024Explore changing silviculture with insights from the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Network, covering recent advancements, the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) resources, and more. - Videos
Understanding Forest "Regeneration"
Length 2:30Forest "Regeneration" is an important word to know. It has two meanings that are related but different. It is a process observed by looking down in the woods, and it is the future forest. - Webinars
Free
Ukraine Series: Introduction to Ukraine Forests and the War
When Watch NowRecorded Mar 1, 2024Explore the Ukrainian forests, their connection to the locals, interactions with the environment, and the war's impact on the people. - Videos
High Grade Timber Harvesting Bad News for Forest Landowners
Length 3:49High Grading is a non-professional type of timber harvesting that removes the best, most valuable trees and degrades forests. It is practiced under several names including diameter cutting, select, or selective cutting. - Webinars
Free
Ukraine Series: War and Ukraine's Rivers, Wetlands and Seas
When 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM, 09:30 AMLength 1.5Analyzing the aftermath of Europe's largest dam destruction in Ukraine, exploring impacts on ecosystems, post-war landscape recovery, and future river and fish management scenarios. - Webinars
Ukraine Series: Shelterbelts
Length 1.5We will emphasize the vital role of shelterbelts in Ukraine, examine the impact of the war on these crucial forests, address the challenges they face, and explore potential future scenarios for these environments.