Main commercial tree species in BC

[tonich]

As I walk everyday around here, I see some unfamiliar trees, which I have not seen before.   

Could you please give me a clue on the main commercial tree species to BC and where can I find some online information about their habitus, biology, ecology, silvics, silviculture etc.! 
I'm trying to guess Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)... are among them, but you guys could give me some good source of information.

Thank you!

[RynSmith]

I would assume there are some true firs too.  Grand fir Abies grandis, Pacific silver fir A. amabilis and subalpine fir A. lasiocarpa but I don't know how commercial they are, especially the last two.  Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta and western white pine P. monticola although that gets a bad rust...Alaska yellow-cedar Cupressus nootkatensis, formally Chamaecyparis nootkatensis

These links aren't specific to BC but are full of some good information.  Volume 1 is conifers, volume 2 is hardwoods

http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/vol1_Table_of_contents.htm

http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/vol2_Table_of_contents.htm

[tonich]

Thank you, RynSmith! 
I assume, Washington and BC have many things in common, regarding forestry.

The links are bookmarked! 

[BaldBob]

Ryn Has caught about all the major BC commercial species except for Ponderosa Pine (South Central portion of the province).  Although BC may be best known for its coastal forests - Doug-fir, Hemlock,Western Red Cedar, etc. - the species that surpasses all others (in terms of volume cut inBC) has been interior Lodgepole pine - though that may change as a result of the Mountain Pine Beetle devastation.

[RynSmith]

Ah yes, silly of me to forget about those critters 

Bob, is there any market/availability for western white pine?

[BaldBob]

With the possible exception of the Southeast portion of the province, I am unaware of any areas where there is enough  of a concentration of Western White Pine to make it economic to sort out, or where there are mills geared to make best use of it.  Logs big and clear enough to make "Shop Grade" lumber command prices similar to and usually slightly more than "Grade" Ponderosa logs, but only where there are mills set up to cut it for grade and market the lumber. In most other areas it is lumped with "White Woods" or Spruce-Pine-Fir the same as lodgepole, true Firs and Spruce.

[tonich]

Yes, the native range of Lodgepole pine from Ryn's link speaks loud enough - It is a real British Columbian!

[SwampDonkey]

Douglas-Fir and Sub-alpine fir A. lasiocarpa are significant also in range

Here might be some useful links as well.

Coastal BC Silv Publications

Site Classification Field Book for the Vancouver Forest Region

Basic Soils Training

[tonich]

I have already stated Douglas Fir in the first post - read carefully! 


The links are interesting, especially Basic Soils Course ( )!
Thank you, Bill! 

[SwampDonkey]

I never read the soils page  But that Site Class guidebook is in every forester's desk. There is one for every forest region in BC.

Here's the BC Silviculture Manual

Additional Silviculture Page

Might find something useful in here

[tonich]

Too much food for thought, eh?   


But ...
I was considering taking one step at a time!
Now that you trowing me in the battle! 

By the way,
The Site Classification we use in Bulgaria is very, very similar... 
Oh, did I ever mention forestry was a conservative science?!

[SwampDonkey]

Yeah, well your not a green horn. But, it seems everyone adds a little different flavour to the practice. Just so they can put you under their thumb it seems. Anyway, just piling on the books for study of your RPF exam. You have up to two years of FIT. Get going.

[tonich]

You have up to two years of FIT. Get going.

Actually, it is 4 years.
Since job markets cannot be guaranteed, the ABCFP give an extended period which requires gaining 24 months of relevant professional work experience and at least 18 months of this experience in British Columbia.
But how can a find a sponsor for a direct supervision? 
And I need to practice in the articling period- who hires noobs like me, especially in this tight job market? 

[SwampDonkey]

Anyone looking for cruisers or compassmen?