Themes

• Structural diversity
  
• Soils and productivity
  
• Wildlife habitat
  
• Range ecology
  
• Snags and down wood
  
• Silvicultural systems
  
• Role of disturbance (fire, insects, disease)
  
• Projects and case studies
  

Description

Ponderosa pine is one of the most widely distributed species in North America. As early exploitation of standing timber yielded to intensive reforestation and active stand management, our silvicultural knowledge base has expanded tremendously. Negative public attitudes toward timber harvest, coupled with rapid expansion of residential areas into ponderosa pine forests has compelled foresters to pursue multiple-resource management with a de-emphasis on timber production on many public and private lands. Conversely, demand for ponderosa pine wood has intensified management on other private lands, and large disturbances from fire, insects, and disease have fueled intense debates about rehabilitation efforts. The net result of these debates and the accompanying information need has been a notable increase in our knowledge of ponderosa pine ecosystems and better understanding of human values and perceptions.

The conference will provide a forum to update forest land owners, professional foresters, and forest scientists about current issues, trends and management of ponderosa pine ecosystems, and the scientific information on which they are based.

Audience:

Foresters, silviculturists, forest resource specialists, forest scientists, public and private forest land managers

Co-sponsors:

USDA-FS Pacific Southwest Research Station and Oregon State University