Forestry

• Tree Physiology

1. Know the typical forest structure: canopy, understory and ground layers and crown classes.
2. Understand forest ecology concepts and factors affecting them, including the relationship between soil and forest types, tree communities, regeneration, competition, and primary and secondary succession.
3. Identify the abiotic and biotic factors in a forest ecosystem, and understand how these factors affect tree growth and forest development. Consider factors such as climate, insects, microorganisms, and wildlife.

• Forest Ecology - East Texas
• Forest Systems of North Central Texas
• How Trees Talk to Each Other (TED Talk)

1. Understand the term silviculture, and be able to explain the uses of the following silviculture techniques: thinning, prescribed burning, single tree and group tree selection, shelterwood method, clear-cutting with and without seed trees, and coppice management.
2. Explain the following silviculture systems: clear-cutting, seed tree method, even-aged management, uneven-aged management, shelterwood and selection.
3. Understand the methodology and uses of the following silviculture treatments: Planting, weeding, pre-commercial thinning (PCT), commercial thinning and harvesting.
4. Know how to use forestry tools and equipment in order to measure tree diameter, height and basal area.
5. Understand how the following issues are affected by forest health and management: biodiversity, forest fragmentation, forest health, air quality, aesthetics, fire, global warming and recreation.
6. Understand how forestry management practices and policy affect sustainability.
7. Understand how economic, social and ecological factors influence forest management decisions.
8. Learn how science and technology are being utilized in all aspects of forest management.

• Forestry Equipment

1. Understand the importance and value of trees in urban and community settings, and know the factors affecting their health and survival.
2. Understand the economic value of forests and know many of the products they provide to people and society.
3. Explain the ecosystem services provided by trees, and understand why trees and forests are important to human health, recreation, wildlife, and watershed quality.

• Benefits of Trees
• i-Tree Design
• Texas Urban and Community Forestry

• Teaching with i-Tree

• Identify common trees without a key and identify specific or unusual species of trees or shrubs through the use of a key.

• Oaks, Elms, and Similar Species
• Tree Identification 101
• Trees - Easy ID
• Trees of Texas

Harris County:

• Field Guide for Plant Identification, Vol 1
• Tree and Shrub Field Guide

• Field Guides to Texas Vegetation
• Tree Identification