North Central Research Station

Central Hardwood Forests

The Central Hardwood Region covers over 100 million acres and is one of the largest forest areas in the country. The region supports a diversity of forest ecosystems, most notably upland oak-hickory and oak-pine forests, oak and pine savannas, old-growth hardwood and pine forests, and bottomland hardwood forests.

Upcoming Events

The 15th Central Hardwood Forest Conference
February 27 - March 1, 2006
The University of Tennessee

Research Problem Areas

Central Hardwood Research focuses on three research problems:

• Silviculture - Socially acceptable silvicultural methods are needed to produce forest conditions that will provide forest products and other benefits desired by society.
• Wildlife - Land managers, planners, and owners need information on how local and landscape factors affect the demographics and viability of selected wildlife species.
• Landscape - Land managers, planners, and owners need new knowledge and new modeling tools to assess the effects of alternative land management practices and natural disturbances on a range of human and ecological benefits.

We also have several long-term studies located on the Sinkin Experimental Forest.