SilviCast

Rome, Egypt, the Aztecs—history has seen the rise and fall of many once-dominant civilizations. But could we be witnessing a similar story unfolding in our forests, with the decline of a once-dominant tree species? Black cherry (Prunus serotina) has long shaped the ecology and economy of the Allegheny hardwood region. However, declining regeneration, growth, and survival are challenging traditional forest management practices and raising important questions about the future of this iconic species. In this episode of SilviCast, we talk with Dr. Alex Royo, Research Ecologist, and Dr. Lance Vickers, Assistant Professor of Forest Management and Forest Dynamics at the University of Kentucky, about the ecological and societal factors behind black cherry’s decline and what it means for forest managers. Drawing on recent research and decades of field observations, they explore what is happening with this important hardwood species and how foresters can adapt silvicultural strategies, build forest resilience, and make informed decisions in a changing environment.

Guests on this Episode

Alejandro Royo, Ph.D., Scientist at University of Kentucky and Founder of Alex Royo Ecological Services, LLC

Alejandro Royo was born and raised in the Republic of Panama, where he developed an early fascination with science and the natural world. After earning his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Pittsburgh, he spent 23 years as a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service. His research examines the factors that shape forest plant diversity in a changing world, with particular emphasis on ungulate browsing, disturbance, silviculture, and climate change. Following his retirement from Forest Service research, he joined the University of Kentucky as a staff scientist and founded Alex Royo Ecological Services, LLC, through which he provides scientific consulting in forest ecology, research design, data analysis, and natural resource management.

Lance Vickers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Forest Dynamics & Management, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Dr. Lance A. Vickers is an Assistant Professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, where he leads the Forest Dynamics & Management Lab. The lab’s research applies silvicultural approaches to contemporary forest management challenges, with emphasis on the regeneration, recruitment, and population dynamics of ecologically and economically important forest tree species. Dr. Vickers earned a Ph.D. in Quantitative Silviculture from the University of Missouri in 2015, an M.S. in Silviculture from Virginia Tech in 2009, and a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 2006.

Show Notes

Little Arnot Photo Series - USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station

The Forest of Unintended Consequences: Anthropogenic Actions Trigger the Rise and Fall of Black Cherry - Royo, Vickers, et al. Bioscience Vol. 71 No. 7. July 2021.

Changes in Black Cherry Seed Production: Is Stand Age a Factor? - Long and Ristau. Northeastern Naturalist 27(2): pp. 281–298. 2020.

Black Cherry: Evolution of a Species - Royo, Ristau, Vickers. Rooted in Research USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. Issue 11. October 2022.

Evaluating the Extent and Severity of Black Cherry Regeneration Declines in Eastern Forests and Exploring Potential Causes - Vickers, Lance A.; Royo, Alejandro A.; Stout, Susan L.; Ristau, Todd; Oldland, William K.; Knapp, Benjamin O.; Knapp, Lauren S.P.; Hille, Andrea. 2025. Evaluating the extent and severity of black cherry regeneration declines in eastern forests and exploring potential causes. In: Conkling, B.L.; Pandit, K., eds. Forest Health Monitoring: Evaluation Monitoring project summaries 2023. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-105a. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 9–16. Chapter 2.

Learn more about Alex Royo

Learn more about Lance Vickers

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Eastern white pine is making a comeback, but as experienced field foresters know, much of this second-growth timber can be challenging from a quality standpoint. In this episode of SilviCast, we talk with Rene Germain, professor of forestry at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Sara Dreibelbis, Operations Director at Alliance for a Green Economy. They share insights from their research on assessing and managing eastern white pine, including practical approaches for improving timber quality. You may just find yourself looking at white pine logs a little differently!

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In this episode of SilviCast, we talk with regeneration experts Mike Reinikainen, Roger Bohringer, and Tom Hill about direct seeding—a challenging and often misunderstood approach to reforestation that establishes forests by planting seeds rather than seedlings. Direct seeding can be an economical and effective way to establish new forests, but success depends on getting the details right. We explore seed rates and timing, site preparation, planting depth, and the challenges of seed predation and seed procurement. Because little has been written about the practical application of direct seeding, success requires careful planning, patience, and diligence—as well as a willingness to experiment, observe, and learn from what happens on the ground.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE

Roger Bohringer
Assistant Manager, Wilson State Nursery at WI DNR
Roger Bohringer is the Assistant Nursery Manager, tasked with managing the day to day operations at Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel, Wisconsin. Prior to his current duties, he spent several summers in the field all across Wisconsin, looking at new plantings as part of the program’s reforestation monitoring efforts. Roger grew up in the southwest Wisconsin town of Cassville, a two minute walk away from the mighty Mississippi River, and earned a degree in field biology from UW-Platteville in 1992. After graduation he did various LTE stints in Fisheries and Wildlife before falling into Forestry fulltime when he accepted a technician job at Wilson Nursery in the fall of 1998. It was a good fit, and he’s been there ever since.

Tom Hill
Consulting Forester
Tom Hill is a consulting forester based in Southwest Wisconsin, where he’s spent his career helping landowners understand and care for their woods. After a long career with the Wisconsin DNR, in 2022 Tom launched Tom Hill Forestry LLC to spend more time working directly with private landowners across the Driftless region.

Tom’s a self-described “dirt forester,” known for his practical, habitat focused approach and his ability to make forest management feel accessible. He’s worked with thousands of landowners on everything from Driftless woodland management to MFL planning, timber cutting, tree planting and direct seeding. As an avid hunter and lifelong outdoorsman, he brings a real-world understanding of habitat, regeneration, and long-term stewardship.

Mike Reinikainen
State Silviculturist, MN DNR
Mike Reinikainen is MN DNR’s state silviculturist. He is a University of Minnesota alumnus. He has practiced forestry in the Lake States for 17 years as a consulting forester, serving as forest manager and researcher at the University of Minnesota’s Cloquet Forestry Center, a Hennepin county forester, a MN DNR cooperative forest management forester, and as a MN DNR silviculturist. He spends his free time corralling his three young children, tracking closely the movements of the Packers and Brewers, playing third base, going to live music, slowly cross-country skiing, camping, canoeing, gardening, hunting upland birds and deer, and recreationally reading and thinking about silviculture.

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Black locust doesn't have many fans among foresters in North America. It's often criticized for growing crooked, spreading aggressively, and producing poor-quality stems. But is the problem really the tree, or is it how we've been growing it? In this episode, Zsolt Keserű, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Plantation Forestry and Senior Research Fellow at the Hungarian Forest Research Institute, University of Sopron, shares how decades of European research and silvicultural innovation have made it possible to grow straight, high-quality black locust timber. Join us for this episode of SilviCast as we talk about the genetics and management practices behind successful black locust plantations, why the species has become such an important hardwood in parts of Europe, and what North American foresters can learn from that experience. If you've written off black locust, this conversation might make you take a second look.

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Beavers are often seen as a nuisance, but what if they're actually some of nature's most effective forest managers? In this episode of SilviCast, we welcome renowned ecohydrologist Dr. Emily Fairfax to explore the surprising role of beavers as ecosystem engineers. Learn how beaver-created wetlands improve water storage, reduce wildfire risk, enhance biodiversity, store carbon, and influence forest management. Dr. Fairfax highlights practical strategies for addressing challenging beaver activity that impact roads, infrastructure, and timber production. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how one species can reshape landscapes and strengthen forests in a changing climate.

Emily Fairfax, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Geography, Environment & Society, University of Minnesota
Emily Fairfax is an Assistant Professor of Geography, Environment & Society at the University of Minnesota and an affiliate faculty member at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. An ecohydrologist by training, her research combines remote sensing, fieldwork, and modeling to investigate how beavers shape ecosystems and enhance resilience to drought, wildfire, and climate change. Her work has been featured by National Geographic, BBC, NPR, PBS, Scientific American, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times. Fairfax teaches courses in environmental data analysis, data visualization, hydrology, and geomorphology, and is widely recognized for her engaging science communication and passion for beavers as natural ecosystem engineers.

Learn more about Emily Fairfax.

Learn more about Emily Fairfax’s research.

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What tree begins life looking more like a tuft of grass, survives repeated fires for years on the forest floor, and then suddenly bolts toward the canopy in a remarkable growth spurt? The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is one of the most unique and ecologically important tree species in North America. Once dominating the coastal plains of the southeastern United States, longleaf pine forests have been reduced to less than 5% of their historic range. Yet these forests remain among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the continent. In this episode of SilviCast, we explore the fascinating life history of longleaf pine and the silvicultural practices being used to restore these iconic forests. Join us for a conversation with Steve Jack, Executive Director of Boggy Slough Conservation Area, who shares insights from decades of longleaf pine restoration work across the southern United States.

Guest on the Episode:
Steve Jack, Ph.D.
Director of the Boggy Slough Conservation Area

Dr. Steve Jack is the founding executive director of the Boggy Slough Conservation Area (BSCA), a 19,000-acre property near Lufkin, Texas owned by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. In that role Steve leads the foundation’s vision for BSCA “to serve as a model of excellence for East Texas through ecological research and outreach to promote conservation, management, and stewardship of natural resources.” Prior to BSCA, Steve spent over two decades at the Jones Center at Ichauway in southwest Georgia, focused on the management and restoration of longleaf pine. He has a BS from Erskine College in SC, a MS from University of Florida, and a PhD from Utah State University.

Show Notes
The Longleaf Alliance
America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative
Silvics of Longleaf Pine (digital manual)
The Art of Managing Longleaf (book)
Ecological Restoration and Management of Longleaf Pine Forests (book)
Multiple Value Management: The Stoddard-Neel Approach to Ecological Forestry in Longleaf Pine Grasslands (outreach publication)

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Good silviculture isn’t just about knowing the science—it’s about building strong partnerships. One of the most critical relationships in forestry is the collaboration between foresters and loggers. Successfully marking a timber sale, for instance, means understanding not only the forest but also the equipment and capabilities that will bring the prescription to life. In this episode of SilviCast, we dive into the world of modern logging equipment used across eastern North America. Joined by Carl Lockhart, Forestry Products Consultant with John Deere, we explore how today’s machines shape on-the-ground decisions—and why aligning knowledge between planning and execution is key to getting silviculture right.

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Managing forests for carbon—and navigating emerging carbon markets—can feel overwhelming, especially for family forest owners managing smaller parcels. So how can landowners with just a couple forty-acre parcels participate in these opportunities? And what does carbon-enhanced silviculture actually look like at that scale? In this episode of SilviCast, we sit down with Brittany VanderWall, Lynn Riley, and Richard Campbell from the American Forest Foundation to break down the essentials of the Family Forest Carbon Program. They share practical insights on how family forest owners can access carbon markets, implement climate-smart forest practices, and make the most of their land—without needing thousands of acres to get started.

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Many of us in forestry remember the spotted owl controversy of the 1980s — a pivotal moment that put old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest in the national spotlight. But what’s less often told is how that same moment sparked a wave of old-growth research here in the Lake States, launching more than three decades of work to better understand how old-growth northern hardwood forests differ from those we actively manage. In this episode of SilviCast, we sit down with Julia Burton, Associate Professor of Silviculture at Michigan Technological University, to explore what we’ve learned from that research — and how those insights are shaping the future of northern hardwood forest management.

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Foresters know degraded forests all too well. You’re out on a woods-walk with an enthusiastic landowner, but your eyes go straight to the poor growing stock, invasive plants, and eroded forest soils – the fingerprints of past degradation. Regardless, you set about the complex task of developing a prescription that will nudge this forest towards a brighter future. Foresters don’t always think of themselves as restorationists, but in many ways, the tools of silviculture are the tools of restoration. In this episode of SilviCast, we dive into the science and practice of forest restoration with John Stanturf, visiting professor at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and Senior Forest Restoration Specialist with InNovaSilva. With more than 30 years of experience researching forest restoration in both temperate and tropical forests around the world, John brings a global perspective to the question of what it means to restore a forest.

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A dead tree is not truly dead. As trees die, they become snags, downed logs, and eventually return to the soil as organic matter. Along this journey, they host a wide range of organisms and play essential roles in forest ecosystems. How foresters think about and manage dead trees can be just as important as how they manage living ones. In this episode of SilviCast, we explore the concept of morticulture - the intentional management of deadwood in forests. Join us for a conversation with Mark Harmon, professor emeritus in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. Dr. Harmon has spent decades researching tree mortality, wood decomposition, and the management of coarse woody debris in our forests.

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Sometime the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. It is true of relationships, and it is true of forests. In this episode, we talk with author Ethan Tapper about his new book, How to Love a Forest. A Vermont Forester, Ethan dives deep with us into what it means to love a forest as a landowner and a forester, and to work with those who may not see the potential in restoring their forest.

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The legacy of the “cutover” has left much of the Lake States—and many other regions—with a dominance of even-aged forest stands. Today, both landowners and foresters increasingly consider converting these stands to uneven-aged management to achieve a range of ecological, economic, and aesthetic goals. However, the outcomes of these efforts—even after multiple stand entries—have sometimes fallen short of expectations. Significant silvicultural challenges remain in determining the most effective approaches for even- to uneven-aged conversion. To explore these challenges, we’re joined by Dr. Ralph Nyland, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Silviculture at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Guest on This Episode

Ralph D. Nyland, Ph.D.

Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus – Silviculture, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Dr. Nyland worked for 5 years as a forester with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation before earning a Ph.D. in forest management and silviculture from Michigan State University in 1966. In 1967, he joined the faculty at SUNY-ESF and helped form the Applied Forestry Research Institute. He joined the teaching faculty in 1977. Throughout the time at ESF, Professor Nyland studied even- and uneven-aged silvicultural systems, focusing primarily on natural regeneration and tending of northern hardwood stands and age classes. His research also involved long-term monitoring of natural stands following alternative silvicultural treatments, and exploring ways to enhance wildlife habitat and other values of importance in ecosystem management. He authored the book Silviculture: Concepts and Applications (2016, Waveland Press), and is a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters.

Show Notes | Resources

Silviculture: Concepts and Applications (2016, Waveland Press)

Professional Publications by Ralph D. Nyland

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Restoring and reforesting floodplain forests is no small feat—these ecosystems are as fascinating as they are complex. While they face many of the same disturbances as upland forests, bottomland ecosystems are uniquely shaped by water. Adding to this challenge of hydrology are the profound impacts of levies, agriculture, dams, and other disturbances. In this episode of SilviCast, we dive deep into the world of bottomland forest restoration with insights from national experts at the 2025 Northeastern and Southern Forest and Conservation Nursery Meeting. Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring Dan Dey (recently retired, USFS Northern Research Station), Andy Meier (Lead Forester, US Army Corps of Engineers – St. Paul District), and James Shelton (Manager, Arkansas Baucum State Nursery).

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE

Dan Dey, Ph.D.
Retired Research Forester, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station
Dr. Dan Dey (retired) was Science Advisor for the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Dan has been a Research Forester since 1987 to present. His personal research emphasis is the ecology and silviculture of eastern forests, woodlands and savannas. He received his Ph.D. in 1991 from the University of Missouri, and since then has worked as a research forester for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Missouri Dept of Conservation and the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. He has been conducting research for the US Forest Service since 1998. Before becoming a scientist, Dan worked as a forester on the Ketchikan Ranger District, Tongass National Forest and the Red River Ranger District, Nez Perce National Forest.

Andrew Meier
Lead Forester, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, Mississippi River Environmental Section
Andy Meier is lead forester for the US Army Corps of Engineers – St. Paul District, Mississippi River Environmental Section. In his position he oversees a team responsible for implementation of terrestrial habitat management on 23,000 acres of primarily bottomland forest in close coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners. He also works on large-targeted habitat restoration projects in the Mississippi River focused on re-establishing natural function in a managed river system. He graduated with a BS in forest management from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2007 and an MS in forest biology from Purdue University in 2012.

James Shelton
Baucum Nursery Manager, Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division
Meet James Shelton. #PeopleofForestry

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Sometimes, a simple “silvicultural tweak” can make a big difference in achieving diverse forest management goals. The real challenge lies in knowing when—and how—to make those adjustments. To help with that, several states have created Forestry for the Birds guidebooks, offering practical strategies to enhance forest habitat for birds. In this episode of SilviCast, we’re joined by Christian Nelson, Lake States Coordinator for the Forest Stewards Guild, to discuss the newly released Forestry for Minnesota Birds guidebook and how it can support better habitat outcomes across the region.

Photo Credit: Mark Schocken

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Eastern black walnut holds an almost legendary reputation as one of the most valuable timber species in central and eastern North America. A single, high-quality tree can fetch thousands of dollars—sometimes even influencing the outcome of an entire timber sale. With that level of interest, you’d think we’ve uncovered everything there is to know about this remarkable species. And while researchers and foresters have developed extensive knowledge around its silviculture and genetics, there’s still a lot to learn! In this episode of SilviCast, we delve into the silviculture of black walnut with Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester at Purdue University.

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Foresters are pretty good at stand-level silviculture. But what if we want to make changes to forest vegetation at a much larger scale? Silviculture at scale to impact landscape-level change is much trickier, whether that’s aiming for a target age-class distribution or meeting the broad habitat needs of birds. Where do we even begin? In walks the concept of Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks, or the strategy of breaking up the landscape into manageable and biologically meaningful units where we can focus on specific forest management objectives. Join us on this episode as we talk with pioneers of this concept, Jeff Larkin, professor in the Department of Biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Forest Bird Advisor with the American Bird Conservancy, and Dan Heggenstaller, North Central Regional Forester with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

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Garlic mustard blooms, panic ensues! Many foresters in the eastern hardwood forests of North America can appreciate this sentiment as they see yet another invasive plant, garlic mustard, colonize their woodlands and forests. Maybe they just make note of it on the inventory or maybe they prescribe an aggressive treatment plan of pulling and herbicides. But maybe there is a different approach… time. Join us on this episode of SilviCast as we talk with Dr. Bernd Blossey, Professor at Cornell University, about his interesting and innovative research on garlic mustard invasions.

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Buckthorn has been the bane of many foresters and forest landowners throughout eastern North America. This long-lived, woody plant is capable of forming dense thickets, degrading native understory plant communities and impeding tree regeneration. While herbicide control measures can be effective, managers have struggled for long-term control of this prolific plant. Join for this episode of SilviCast as we explore ways to disrupt the buckthorn cycle with Dr. Mike Schuster, Researcher at the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center.

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It’s hard to turn around these days without seeing or reading something about UAVs or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Drones are becoming an increasingly important tool in many fields, including within the practice of silviculture. On this episode of SilviCast we explore the soaring use of drones for site preparation and release treatments. Join us for a conversation with Rick Hill, Regional Silviculturist and Reforestation Specialist with Michigan DNR and Kyle Schempp, Project Manager and Drone Pilot at Wildlife and Wetland Solutions.

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