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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Scientists from Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service have produced a comprehensive new book on modern silviculture in the West, one of the only books of its type to focus on this specific region, incorporate the newest research findings and explore changing social values.

Titled “Silviculture and Ecology of Western U.S. Forests,” the 440-page book has been published by the Oregon State University Press. It costs $35, and is available at most major web retailers or on the OSU Press website at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press

“This was written with forest practitioners, students and policy makers in mind, with a clear focus on the forests of the American West,” said John Tappeiner, professor emeritus of forest resources at OSU. “It should be understandable to the lay reader but provide very useful information for forest land owners and managers of all types.”

The book contains chapters on silvicultural systems, differences between federal and private lands, basic ecological principals, ecology of shrubs and hardwoods, tree growth, measures of stand density, use of controlled fire, insects, water stress, and many other topics. It addresses some of the changes in forest values, such as ways to manage lands for timber while maintaining forest health, reducing fire potential, benefiting wildlife and protecting aesthetics.

“This is a solid synthesis of 40 years of modern forestry research on western forests, which has never before really been pulled together in this way,” Tappeiner said. “People are now considering different types of silviculture and new options in land management. This text should be invaluable for those purposes.”

Authors of the book include Tappeiner; Douglas Maguire, associate professor of forest science at OSU; and Timothy Harrington, a research forester for the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the USDA Forest Service.