Season 6 | Episode 10
Uneven by Design
October 7, 2025
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.
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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.
Silviculture: Concepts and Applications (2016, Waveland Press)
Professional Publications by Ralph D. Nyland
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