How to get the most out of a parcel of land by growing trees for timber, selling firewood and preserving land for future generations.

A private woodlot may range from 5 to 500 acres, and they are extremely common.

Hilts and Mitchell's book is a personal "get out and walk your woods" plan. The authors answer landowners' most common questions on:

• Basic conservation
• Nature appreciation
• Reforestation
• Recreational use
• Moderate forestry
• Timber management
• Assessing your own woodland
• Identifying trees
• Specific techniques for maintaining wildlife habitat, such as snags, logs, den trees and bush piles.

There is also extensive information on landscape ecology, natural succession and hardwood plantings. In this expanded and updated second edition, the changing views and values of woodlots are explored, covering topics such as:

• Woodlots in the broader landscape
• Moving to ecological restoration
• Managing conifer plantations
• Watching for endangered species
• Dealing with invasive insects and plants.

The Woodlot Management Handbook is the definitive book on this important topic.

by Stewart Hilts and Peter Mitchell ; illustrated by Ann-Ida Beck

Stewart Hilts' profile page

Peter Mitchell is an award-winning illustrator whose work can be found in the LA Times, the Boston Globe, and the Globe and Mail. He lives with his young family in Toronto, Ontario.

Peter Mitchell's profile page

Ann-Ida Beck's profile page

The second edition of this guide to private woodland conservation and management is updated to reflect changes in technology and better access to information that has become available in the ten years since its original printing. Focusing on the ecosystems of the northeastern portion of the United States, this volume provides information on ecologically conscious and economically viable stewardship of small woodlots. Covering such topics as environmental sustainability and habitat conservation, timber and firewood harvest principles, reforestation and trails, pests and poachers, the work also offers advice on buying woodland properties and developing woodland stewardship plans that provide for the long-term conservation of the environment. Hilts teaches resource science at the Ontario Agricultural College and Mitchell is a researcher at the University of Guelph.

Book News

[Review of previous edition:] The overall thesis of the book is that good land stewardship maximizes both ecological conservation and economic returns.

Choice

[Review of previous edition:] The authors offer information on developing a woodland-stewardship plan and buying woodland property.

Booklist

This revised edition of The Woodlot Management Handbook is useful, and it fills a niche for woodland owners who are new to forestry and for those contemplating a woodland purchase.

Northern Woodlands

[Review of previous edition:] A useful guide to basic woodlot or forest conservation practice, management and utilization ... This is a well-done, comprehensive explanation of woodland ecology in terms of property management and restoration. Over 50 diagrams and illustrations help the reader understand the text. As an owner of a woodlot, I found this book a good resource and of great interest.

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