Economic Contribution of California’s Forestry and Forest-Products Sectors

California’s forests, which cover approximately one third of the state’s land area, provide a wide range of economic, environmental, and recreation services. Today, forests are under increasing pressure from urban expansion and related land use conversion, along with increased risk of devastating forest fires, extreme droughts, and insect and disease epidemics …

This 17 page article is a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources publication and is available for download.

By Richard Standiford, Sanuel Evans, James Henderson 

Natural History of the Central Coast Bioregion

Whether one drives the Big Sur coastline, or stands at the foot of a giant coast redwood, or in the shade of an ancient valley oak, it is clear that California’s Central Coast embodies exceptional biological diversity ad natural beauty.

This publication provides an overview of the geology, climate, water resources, flora and fauna, human history, ecosystem services, and natural resource management issues associated with human development of California’s Central Coast. It also provides an increased understanding of the Central Coast’s natural communities and the conservation challenges presented by exurban development, agricultural expansion, and climate change.

Part of the California Naturalist Series, this 48 page natural history was published in July 2019 by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and is available for download.

By William D. Tietje, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley; William L. Preston, Geographer Emeritus, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Anne Y. Polyakov, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley.

A Planner’s Guide for Oak Woodlands 

First published in 1992, A Planner’s Guide for Oak Woodlands was the first such manual of its kind. Designed for professional planners, consultants, and landscape architects, this new edition provides science-based information that can guide decision-making.

Chapters cover a range of planning and conservation topics including —

• Biology of Oak Resources
• Wildlife Habitat
• Watershed Management
• Regional Planning
• Mapping Resources and Modeling Risk for Improved Land Use Planning
• Ordinances

The 116-page second edition also features a sturdier binding and more photographs.

The encroachment into oak woodlands addressed at the time of the first edition has not stopped, and in some cases it has continued at an alarming rate. As more development occurs in the oak woodlands this guide can provide a framework for preserving this icon of the California landscape.

Available for purchase from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources bookstore.

Living Among the Oaks

The California of research and education known as the Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program (IHRMP) officially ended in 2009.

One of the most popular IHRMP publications has been a glossy 8-page color brochure that, among other things, contains specific information about how to manage native California oaks in an urban setting.

This publication contains helpful tips about how to prevent damage to oak roots, where and when to irrigate around oaks, what plants are best to plant near oaks, and what to do if a tree has been damaged by fire.

Available for free download from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources bookstore.

Guidelines for Managing California’s Hardwood Rangelands

California’s oak woodlands are our most biologically diverse broad habitat; covering 10% of the state. With 80% in private ownership the key to preserving California’s iconic oak woodlands is primarily in private hands. This guide will help landowners and managers of hardwood rangeland properties develop management plans that maintain the profitability of their properties while preserving the ecological values provided by their land.

Jointly published by the UC Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program, California Department of Fish and Game, and California Department of Forestry. Spiral bound.

A series of 2-hour webinars based on this publication was presented in 2011.

Available for download.

How to Grow California Oaks

Native oaks are a vital and important component of the vegetation of California. They grow in a wide variety of habitats and help provide a distinctive character to the landscape. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they also provide food and shelter for many wildlife species, they stabilize soil, and they help counteract the “greenhouse effect” by taking up carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

It is estimated that one or more species of oaks grow on over 20 percent of the state’s 100 million acres of land. Unfortunately, there are also reports that some native oaks may not be regenerating very well in some locations. Poor natural regeneration raises concerns about the long term fate of these species. To assist Mother Nature in establishing new oak trees, efforts are underway to plant acorns and small seedlings. Such regeneration efforts will ensure that our magnificent oaks, which have graced California valleys and foothills for thousands of years, will be around for future generations to enjoy also.

These guidelines provide successful techniques for growing oak trees. While there are many ways to get an oak tree started, the procedures described have proved successful for a variety of species and environments.

By Douglas D. McCreary, Natural Resource Specialist, UC Sierra Foothill Range Field Station.

Free publication that you can download.

Regenerating Rangeland Oaks in California 

This manual was written for restorationists, hardwood rangeland managers, and others involved in oak propagation and planting projects and brings together information available on regenerating rangeland oaks in California.

Included are chapters on poor natural regeneration and conditions under which this problem seems most acute; acorn physiology; collection and storage of acorns for regeneration; oak seedling propagation; and planting, protecting, and maintaining oak seedlings in the field.

This revised electronic publication replaces the previous print edition, Regenerating Rangeland Oaks in California (Publication 21601).

Free publication that you can download.

Oak Woodland Invertebrates: The Little Things Count

This beautiful full color publication is an excellent introductory guide to a widely unnoticed universe – the minute animals called invertebrates that live in the oak woodland ecosystem in California. This fascinating world is home to a vast number of tiny creatures that provide an essential link in the health of our native California Oaks – a single acre of oak woodland may be home to 10 to 100 million individual invertebrates.

Among the invertebrate animals explored in this publication are the California Oak Worm, the Filbert Weevil and the Filbert Worm, and the Tarantula Hawk. Also explored is the human impact on this delicate ecosystem. This is an excellent learning tool for anyone who cares about our California Oaks and wants to know more about this important ecosystem.

This is a scan of the original print publication that you can now download for free.

Vineyards in an Oak Landscape

This publication provides background information on the biological interactions between vineyards and oak woodlands. Topics discussed include biodiversity, grape pests and diseases associated with native vegetation, and recommendations for minimizing environmental damage. 11 full-color illustrations, resources, bibliography.

This is a scan of the original print leaflet that you can download for free.