Additional Resources: How Trees and Woodlands Grow

Online resources

• Silvics of North America: Volume 1 Conifers; Volume 2 Hardwoods (Ag Handbook 654). 1990. Burns, Russell M., and Barbara H. Honkala, tech. cords. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC. vol.2, 877 p. This book has a chapter on every significant native tree species in North America, including its native range, climate, soil and topography, associated species, reproduction and early growth, stand management, growth and yield, rooting habitat, reaction to competition, damaging agents, special uses, and genetics.
• Web Soil Survey (USDA. Natural Resources Conservation Service). This resource has maps showing the location of each soil type in the landscape; soil descriptions; use, management and productivity of soils for different agricultural crops, tree species, road construction, etc.; genesis and morphology of soils.
• USDA Plant Hardiness Zones (USDA Agricultural Research Service). This website has maps of the United States on which you can click to focus on a smaller area. Colors on the map relate to different zones. Zones are differentiated mainly on their average annual minimum temperature range. For each zone it lists tree and shrub species suitable for growing in that zone. Other websites use this same map, but may have information on other tree species appropriate for each zone.