Pacific Southwest Research Station

Publications and Products

General Technical Report

Title: California's hardwood resource: status of the industry and an ecosystem management perspective

Author: McDonald, Philip M.; Huber, Dean W.

Date: 1994

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-153. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station; 24 p.

Station ID: GTR-PSW-153

Description: In an earlier publication on California's forest-zone hardwoods, 22 reasons were offered for the failure of a sustained hardwood industry to develop. This report presents knowledge developed over the past 18 years on each of these reasons. Progress is reflected in society's shift from a negative to a positive attitude towards the hardwood industry, better estimates of the inventory base and resource values, the advent of small portable sawmills, better lumber drying schedules and equipment, and recognizing the need to furnish promotional material to architects, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. Realization that the many and complex hardwood ecosystems have value far beyond wood products has led to a new management perspective with our essential parts: emphasis, scheduling, silviculture, and total yield. Hardwood management in the near future will reflect a broadened emphasis on wildlife, water, esthetics, and wood. Desired ecological types will be needed on a schedule involving their timely creation, maintenance, and manipulation over the landscape in perpetuity. Silviculturists will achieve these ecological types, and the resulting amenities and commodities should serve rural California well.

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Citation

McDonald, Philip M.; Huber, Dean W.  1994.  California's hardwood resource: status of the industry and an ecosystem management perspective  Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-153. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station; 24 p.