Forest Health & Thinning
Keeping Your Trees & Land Resilient
Overcrowded forests can lead to unhealthy trees, increased fire risk, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. By thinning your forest strategically, you can help trees grow stronger, improve the forest’s structure, and increase biodiversity.
Steps to Improve Forest Health:
- Selectively thin trees to reduce competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
- Remove diseased or dead trees to reduce the spread of pests and diseases.
- Prune lower branches to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of fire.
- Add ground cover or mulch to improve soil health and prevent erosion.
Conservation districts offer guidance on selective thinning, pest management, and habitat enhancement to maintain a balanced and healthy forest. If you need help assessing your forest’s health or creating a long-term management plan, assistance is available.
Explore Conservation Resources
WSU’s Hedgerows and Farmscaping program provides guidance on designing and implementing hedgerows to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and support pollinators. It offers resources for farmers and land managers to integrate these features into agricultural landscapes for ecological and economic benefits.
This organization collaborates with educators to integrate field-based science and real-world projects into curricula, promoting environmental and sustainability education.
PLT offers a suite of award-winning environmental education materials that use trees and forests as windows to the world, engaging students in learning about the environment and their place within it.
The WSU Extension Forestry program offers research-based education and resources for forested property owners and the general public. They provide classes, workshops, field days, publications, videos, and online resources to assist in achieving forest management goals.
Get Involved!
Find your local Conservation District to learn how you can make a difference.
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