Issue 9

What is Silviculture?

Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. Silvicultural prescriptions or treatments are specific, science-based steps designed to achieve specific forest management objectives. For example, if the management objective is to maintain an oak component in a mixed stand, the silvicultural prescription may include reducing the midstory to encourage the development of oak seedlings. Removing the overstory to regenerate a new age class of trees is also a silvicultural prescription, as is thinning in an established stand. The combination of all planned silvicultural treatments is called a silvicultural system.

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