S.6 Ep.9: River Trees

S.6 Ep.9: River Trees

Author: Wisconsin Forestry Center and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources September 2, 2025 Duration: 57:19
Restoring and reforesting floodplain forests is no small feat—these ecosystems are as fascinating as they are complex. While they face many of the same disturbances as upland forests, bottomland ecosystems are uniquely shaped by water. Adding to this challenge of hydrology are the profound impacts of levies, agriculture, dams, and other disturbances. In this episode of SilviCast, we dive deep into the world of bottomland forest restoration with insights from national experts at the 2025 North...

Tune into SilviCast for a grounded conversation about the woods. This podcast, a collaboration between the Wisconsin Forestry Center and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, digs into the real-world details of silviculture-that blend of science, practical skill, and thoughtful art that shapes how we care for forests. Each episode is built around the voices of people who work among the trees, from field foresters and land managers to researchers developing new approaches. You’ll hear specific discussions about contemporary management dilemmas, from adapting to changing climates to implementing cutting-edge techniques that balance ecological health with practical goals. It’s designed for the rhythm of a natural resource professional’s life, whether you need some thoughtful background while at your desk or a companion for a long drive down a gravel road. The focus remains on applicable knowledge and the shared challenges of stewardship, offering listeners a direct line to the experiences and insights shaping forestry today. By focusing on these tangible stories and solutions, this podcast serves as an ongoing resource for anyone invested in the future of our landscapes.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

SilviCast
Podcast Episodes
S.7 Ep.9 - Plant the Seed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:09
In this episode of SilviCast, we talk with regeneration experts Mike Reinikainen, Roger Bohringer, and Tom Hill about direct seeding—a challenging and often misunderstood approach to reforestation that establishes forest…
S.7 Ep.8: Rethinking Black Locust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:13
Black locust doesn't have many fans among foresters in North America. It's often criticized for growing crooked, spreading aggressively, and producing poor-quality stems. But is the problem really the tree, or is it how…
S.7 Ep.7: Beaviculture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:53
Beavers are often seen as a nuisance, but what if they're actually some of nature's most effective forest managers? In this episode of SilviCast, we welcome renowned ecohydrologist Dr. Emily Fairfax to explore the surpri…
S.7 Ep.6: The Fire Forest: Restoring the Long-leaf Pine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:05
What tree begins life looking more like a tuft of grass, survives repeated fires for years on the forest floor, and then suddenly bolts toward the canopy in a remarkable growth spurt? The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)…
S.7 Ep.5: The View from the Cab [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:21
Good silviculture isn’t just about knowing the science—it’s about building strong partnerships. One of the most critical relationships in forestry is the collaboration between foresters and loggers. Successfully marking…
S.7 Ep.4: Down Home Carbon: Climate Solutions from Family Forests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:55
Managing forests for carbon—and navigating emerging carbon markets—can feel overwhelming, especially for family forest owners managing smaller parcels. So how can landowners with just a couple forty-acre parcels particip…
S.7 Ep.3: The Old-Growth Project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:58
Many of us in forestry remember the spotted owl controversy of the 1980s — a pivotal moment that put old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest in the national spotlight. But what’s less often told is how that same mome…
S.7 Ep.2: The Restoration Forester [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:14
Foresters know degraded forests all too well. You’re out on a woods-walk with an enthusiastic landowner, but your eyes go straight to the poor growing stock, invasive plants, and eroded forest soils – the fingerprints of…
S.7 Ep.1: Morticulture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:25
A dead tree is not truly dead. As trees die, they become snags, downed logs, and eventually return to the soil as organic matter. Along this journey, they host a wide range of organisms and play essential roles in forest…
S.6 Ep.11: How To Love a Forest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:42
Sometime the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. It is true of relationships, and it is true of forests. In this episode, we talk with author Ethan Tapper about his new book, How to Love a Forest. A Vermont F…