General Information Title

Foreword

This course is designed for individuals wishing to increase their understanding of forests and forest management. Specifically, the course targets Maryland forest landowners and other citizens with an interest in the principles and practices of forestry. There are no prerequisites. However, owning or having access to a forest is necessary for completing the framework of a forest management plan.

The course is divided into six units, with each unit containing several lessons. Questions appear at the end of each unit, for review. Resource information follows in the appendices.

Unit 1 offers an overview of worldwide forest resources, including ecotypes, quantity, and ownership. This section also discusses the importance and economic contributions of Maryland’s forests, a brief history of forestry, and a description of the governmental agencies that regulate and manage these forests.

Unit 2 covers basic tree physiology, tree identification, forest ecology, and the distribution of the various types of forest cover.

Unit 3 discusses the art and science of silviculture, forest health, and protection of the forest from insects, disease, and fire.

Unit 4 explains the process of conducting a forest inventory and a stand analysis and interpreting the data.

Unit 5 highlights elements of a forest management plan and the management choices available to the forestland manager. In the course of learning how to prepare a forest management plan, students will develop the framework of a plan for their property.

Unit 6 describes the business of forestry—the sale, the harvest, and the manufacture of forest products.

Reviewed by:

James Finley, Ph.D.
State Extension Specialist—Forestry
Pennsylvania State University

Stark McLaughlin
Forester in Talbot and Caroline Counties
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Forest Service

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Course Description

Through the years, as the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension has developed and participated in forestry seminars and workshops, many individuals have requested information in greater depth. “General Forestry,� a correspondence course, is designed to fill this need.

The purpose of this course is to offer forest landowners and others interested in forestry a better understanding of their forests, of forest ecology, of forest management practices, of forest policy and regulations, and of sources of technical and financial assistance.

Course presentation takes the form of a notebook of lessons and supplemental readings. Also required is the study of a woodlot.

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Upon completing the course successfully, students will be able to:

• describe the contributions the forest makes to society
• describe the history of both forest policy and the conservation movement in the United States
• characterize Federal, state, and local government agencies, professional organizations, and other nonprofit conservation groups that regulate forests, lobby for various forestrelated interests, or provide educational or technical assistance to forests owners
• understand the basic concepts of tree biology and forest ecology
• explain basic forest management concepts, including sustainable resource management, ecosystem management, silvicultural systems, best management practices, and protection of forests from fire insects, and disease
• understand how to conduct a forest inventory and the process of developing a written forest management plan
• make informed decisions regarding the sale of timber from privateland
• describe the industry of forest products and the industry’s operations, outputs, and contributions to the economy.

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A Sand County Almanac
by Aldo Leopold. 1966. New York: Ballantine Books. 295 pages.

The Woodland Steward: A Practical Guide to the Management of Small Private Forests
by James R. Fazio. 1987. Moscow, ID: The Woodland Press. 2nd edition. 212 pages.

American Forests: A History of Resiliency and Recovery
by Douglas W. MacCleery. 1992. Forest History Society, Durham, NC. 58 pages.

Optional Text:

Essentials of Forestry Practice
by C.H. Stoddard and G.M. Stoddard. 1987. New York: John Wiley and Sons. 4th edition. 407 pages.

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