S.7 Ep.3: The Old-Growth Project

S.7 Ep.3: The Old-Growth Project

Author: Wisconsin Forestry Center and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources March 1, 2026 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 moment sparked a wave of old-growth research here in the Lake States, launching more than three decades of work to better understand how old-growth northern hardwood forests differ from those we actively manage. In this episode of SilviCast, we sit down with Julia Burton, As...

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: 67

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Podcast Episodes
S.3 Ep.9: Woodlot Assassins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
Interfering vegetation, be it native or invasive, is a real headache for foresters. Sometimes we wind up wishing for one more tool in the toolkit when none of the current ones seem to fit. Luckily, some foresters are inn…
S.3 Ep.8: Scratching the Surface [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:27
Remember the natural regeneration triangle? Natural regeneration needs a seed supply, an environment conducive to seed germination, and a suitable seedbed. But sometimes it's difficult to get the right seedbed, especiall…
S.3 Ep.7: The Chess Match [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:06
Wildlife habitat is the primary goal for many forest landowners, and in particular forest bird habitat. Silviculture treatments have great potential to provide quality habitat for birds if we know what to look for. Join…
S.3 Ep.6: The Carbon Cycle Won't Leave Me Alone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:23
In this second episode of our two-part series on forest carbon, we explore ways to enhance carbon storage and sequestration through silviculture. Whether it is through our choice of silvicultural system, how and when we…
S.3 Ep.5: Carbon, WHAT?!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
In forestry school we learned about photosynthesis; the process by which trees use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to form sugars and oxygen. But most of us did not learn much about how to purposely manage forest car…
S.3 Ep.4: Fly on the Slash Wall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:46
Necessity is the mother of invention, even in silviculture. Foresters in the eastern US often struggle with regenerating trees due to severe deer browse. Yet mitigating solutions, like fencing and tree shelters, are cost…
S.3 Ep.3: Reading the Bark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
Fine hardwood veneer logs represent the pinnacle of log quality and timber value, with prices up to 10 times the price of grade 1 sawlogs. However, trees of this quality can be rare as hens' teeth! Are there practices fo…
S.3 Ep.2: Forests in Motion: Woodland and Savanna Silviculture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:03
Savannas, woodlands, and other open forest systems once occupied vast areas of North America where fire disturbance, at least in part, shaped their structure and composition. Many of those acres have been lost since the…
S.3 Ep.1: Stocking Charts on Napkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:17
A conversation with Dr. Susan Stout, Emeritus Research Forester and Project Leader at the USFS Northern Research Station, who has conducted applied silvicultural research in forests of the eastern United States for over…
S.2 Ep.11: What's on your Mind? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:02
Silviculture is important work! Nobody has all the answers. So that is why each month on SilviCast we try to bring you a diverse set of guests, from the perspective of researchers and field foresters. Besides our guests,…