0 or 3 credits
Fall 2025 Laboratory Lecture Upper Division
This course details common silvicultural systems used in North America for establishment and tending of forest stands for a variety of objectives. Topics range from stand dynamics to thinning practices and regenerative harvest systems in naturally regenerated forests. Lectures focus is on theoretical concepts in order to allow students to apply their knowledge to North American forest ecosystems, while the laboratory portion of this course includes practical experience in marking silvicultural prescriptions and conducting silvicultural treatments. Lab projects emphasize critical thinking, data-driven decision-making (using growth and yield models), technical writing and oral communication. Permission of department required. Credit cannot be earned for both FNR 33800 and FNR 43900.
Learning Outcomes1Be fluent in technical silvicultural terminology.
2Develop and critically evaluate the effectiveness of alternative site preparation, regeneration, stand tending, and harvesting methods for natural stands.
3Describe the impacts of silvicultural practices on soil resources, forest health, timber production, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, aesthetics and other aspects in natural stands.
4Appraise the ecological and economic costs/benefits for various silvicultural treatments.
5Use growth-and-yield models (i.e., FVS) to help predict future stand development and evaluate silvicultural alternatives (i.e., data-driven decision making).
6Design silvicultural prescriptions that are applicable to Central Hardwood forests.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.