Raymond C. Shearer has been a Research Forester of RM-4151 "Ecology and Management of Northern Rocky Mountain Forests" since 1957. His research focuses on regenerating western larch and associated conifers within the Inland Mountain West.

• Reproductive biology of conifers
• Seed and pollen cone production in young western larch
• Conifer seedfall in old growth stands
• Seed dispersal patterns in forest openings
• Germination characteristics of conifer seeds
• Factors influencing survival of conifer seedlings
• Establishment and early growth of conifer regeneration
• Direct seeding and planting of conifers
• Influence of harvest cutting and site preparation treatments on natural regeneration of conifers

Ph.D. 1985. The University of Montana, Missoula, School of Forestry and Botany Department.

M.S. 1959. Utah State University, Logan, School of Forestry.

B.S. 1957. Utah State University, Logan, School of Forestry.

Shearer's career started and will end in Missoula, Montana. He studies early forest succession following harvest and site preparation treatments, including the influence of regeneration processes and development of forest vegetation on biodiversity. From 1957-1968 and from 1974-1996 he was manager of Coram Experimental Forest located on the Flathead National Forest, an area designated to provide information needed to successfully manage western larch forests. He successfully had the experimental forest recognized as one of the first sites in the United States to be approved as a Biosphere Reserve. Since 1967, he has conducted research at Miller Creek, also on the Flathead National Forest. He was instrumental in having the Supervisor establish this area designated the Miller Creek Demonstration Forest to protect ongoing plots and to enhance opportunities for future research.

• Harvest and site preparation treatments influence natural regeneration of western larch and associated conifers. (1975-present) Research has added incremental knowledge about the influence of site preparation on long-term vegetation recovery, including regeneration of conifers. It shows that even light fire is a better site preparation treatment than none for establishment of western larch. Another study showed that birds used unburned slash piles for perches, food sources, or nest sites.
  
  
• Conifer development and forest succession after prescribed fire and wildfire treatments in clearcuts at Miller Creek and Newman Ridge. (1967-present). Timing of prescribed fires influenced intensity of fire treatment and differentially influenced 35 years of forest development. A field guide shows, by photographs and charts, how long seedbed was receptive for natural regeneration and planting; soil water characteristics for several years after burning; seedling development; seed production; micrometeorological factors influencing time of seed dissemination; and direction and distance of dispersal away from the timber edge. Results from this study were incorporated in guides for site preparation, natural regeneration, and planting within the natural range of western larch.
  
  
• Frost limits western larch seed and pollen cone production within much of the species natural range. (1984-1996). Study plots ranging in elevation from 800 m to 1800 m in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington showed there is a potential for larch cone production each year, but developing cones frequently were frozen when April or early May low temperatures dropped to -5º to -9º C for up to several hours and killed developing seed and pollen cones. Because western larch buds open earlier than other conifers, they are far more susceptible to frost. Insects often killed or damaged most surviving cones. Because of unreliable cone production many organizations have installed potted seed orchards to produce high quality cones rather than depend on seed orchards or seed production areas.
  
  
• Conifer seedfall along Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park and its potential to regenerate cut slopes after reconstruction. (1987-2002). Seedfall data suggested that cut slopes (except rock and scree) disturbed by reconstruction should adequately regenerate with conifers and not need planting. However, study of conifer seed germination and seedling survival on cut slopes showed slow establishment on these exposed sites. See presentation on Restoring Confiers on Slopes.
  
  
• Western larch seed cone induction was enhanced in pole-size trees by injecting GA4/7 growth hormone. (1991-1999). Stem injection with this growth hormone increased larch seed cone but not pollen cone production the following year and enhanced regeneration potential. Seed cone production increased on GA4/7-treated trees compared to controls but pollen cone production increased on one of two study sites.
  
  
• Summarizing research results for western larch has been a primary goal of this research work unit. Several have been completed or are in the process.
  
  
1. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Revised previous criteria to recognize "Larch 212" as a separate cover type. This recognized the role of western larch as a major component of many forests in the "Intermountain Region." Identification, description and classification of forest cover types are used to describe ecological relationships of major tree species and understory vegetation.
   
   
2. Silvicultural systems for the major forest types of the United States. This publication was requested by the Office of the General Counsel and a section summarized silvicultural options for western larch was included.
   
   
3. Silvics of North America. This revision and update from an earlier Agriculture Handbook helped update silvical knowledge of western larch. Land managers and students use this document as a general reference for the ecology of the forests throughout the US.
   
   
4. 1974 Woody Plant Seed Handbook. Sections on western larch and alpine larch within the genus Larix were written by this research work unit. Recently, the entire genus Larix was revised. This manual is used world-wide documenting knowledge about seed procurement, processing, and testing. The progress of editing, including the section on Larix can be viewed on the web at http://www.wpsm.net/ .
   
   
5. Ecology and silviculture of western larch forests summarized 30 years of research. It is a working tool for managers of larch forests, other researchers, and a reference for forestry students. "Western larch Management Guides" used by Regions 1, 4, and 6 are based on information compiled in this bulletin. Shearer is taking the lead to update this bulletin. See list of tentative references on Larix (Western Larch).

See the publications section.

Shearer is a Faculty Affiliate at The University of Montana and teaches occasional silviculture classes. He enjoys public and student outreach especially on the Coram Experimental Forest and Miller Creek Demonstration Forest.

• Society of American Foresters
• Forest History Society