Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines

The Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines celebrate the wealth of the state's forest resources and emphasizes our responsibility to care for them. They outline practical, site-specific considerations that land managers need to take into account when they plan and carry out forestry operations. The guidelines cover sustainable forest management principles that can serve recreation, wildlife habitat improvement, endangered species protection, water quality, forest products and many other objectives.

The 400-plus-page Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines are written for a wide audience. As a result, some readers may find the guidelines to be more comprehensive than they need, while others may find them to be more basic than they prefer.

Application of the guidelines is voluntary, but the document does refer to statutes, administrative rules and programs that could involve mandatory procedures or prohibitions. In those situations, users are encouraged to review original source regulations for specifications that might not be covered in the guidelines.

This is the second revision of the original 2003 publication. The Forest Management Guidelines were last revised in 2011 and again in 2018. Going forward an emphasis will be made on revising each chapter on an individual basis. This will make the revision process more efficient thus providing the best customer service possible. Check this site periodically to view or download the most recent revisions. Revision dates can be found on the bottom of the page in each chapter.

View and download the complete Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines [PDF].

Sustainable Forestry
Landowner Goals and Objectives
Site Evaluation and Stand Delineation
Silvicultural Systems Overview
Even-aged Silvicultural Systems
Uneven-aged Silvicultural Systems
Passive or Non-management Options
Silvicultural Systems Summary
Salvage Harvests
Unsustainable Harvest Methods
Management Prescriptions
Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 3 – Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity [PDF]

Specific Wildlife Habitat Guidelines
Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 4 – Visual Quality [PDF]

The Value of Visual Quality
Visual Sensitivity Levels
Resource for Additional Information

Chapter 5 – Riparian Areas and Wetlands [PDF]

The Value of Riparian Areas
Riparian Management Zones
BMPs for Riparian Management Zones
Wetlands
Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 6 – Cultural Resources [PDF]

Cultural Resources
Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 7 – Forest Soil Productivity [PDF]

The Value of Forest Soil Productivity
Soil Characteristics and Potential Impacts
Applying Guidelines to Varying Site Conditions

Chapter 8 – Threats to Forest Health [PDF]

What are Threats to Forest Health
What are Invasive Species?
Invasive Species are a Threat to Forests
Invasive Species and Forest Management
Elements of Invasive Species Management
Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species
Management of Select Forest Pests and Diseases
Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 9 – Economics [PDF]

Balancing Economic Considerations and Other Forest Values
Basic Forest Management and Economics: Three Things Every Forest Landowner Should Know
Advanced Forest Economics: An Investment Analysis Primer
Tax and Record-keeping Considerations
Resources for Additional Information

Chapter 10 – Forest Management Planning [PDF]