Forests in the West used to be a lot more open, so wildfires were much less severe. How do we know? By looking at tree rings! We can actually see scars from old wildfires in cross-sections like this

Dense, dangerously crowded stands of trees are giving way to healthy, spacious forests across Alabama. Individual trees are gaining the room they need to grow, birds and other wildlife are finding

It’s been nearly five years since 25,000 acres burned across the northern slopes of Mount Shasta. And what’s there to see beyond the burn scar of charred soil and dead trees? How about extraordinary

From assisting with criminal cases and mid-air collisions to identifying wood species to combat illegal logging, the wood anatomy and forensic research done at the Forest Service's Forest Products

Fire testing is expensive and complex, which is why industry leaders look to the Forest Service for expertise. The Fire Lab at the USDA Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory conducts research

Research at the Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory is finding new and innovative ways to transform these materials into nanocellulose products. From strengthening cement to extending shelf

From wood walls to fence posts, we enjoy the benefits of wood products. But there are insects and fungi who enjoy it for another purpose – as dinner. The Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory

Mackenzie Castruita the Business Manager for West Biofuels explains some of the innerworkings at the Hat Creek Bioenergy facility in Burney, California and how public lands and partners are coming

“Toad!” yelled a deep voice from across the stream. With gloved hands, the volunteer excitedly lifted an adult toad from the riverbank then carefully slipped it into a clear sandwich bag. He was one

Sagebrush landscapes are often thought of as dry, rugged and lacking plant and wildlife diversity. I am here to tell you—nothing is further from the truth. Having spent years working in these

With a paint can in hand, a forester walks step by step through the dense Arizona ponderosa pine forest, marking trees with distinctive orange streaks. The forester is part of a timber-marking crew

Mass timber is transforming how America builds—but supply hasn’t kept pace with demand. A gap in domestic manufacturing has slowed widespread adoption, leaving many developers with few options beyond

“Made in the USA: Supporting American manufacturing jobs and promoting sustainable forest management” — a series that spotlights how Wood Innovations Program grant recipients are putting Americans to

Towering over the Ellipse, framing The White House and President's Park with festive cheer, is the National Christmas Tree. Always a symbol of the holiday spirit, this year’s tree, a red spruce from

To the average mountain biker or hiker on the Pine Brook Trail, there may not be anything about the area that stands out. Lots of trees, some dead and downed wood — an average “backyard” if you grew

Most forests in the U.S. are affected – directly or indirectly – by human activity. But what do forests look like without human activity? How do they thrive or recover naturally, when left untouched

Wood is a renewable resource with countless uses, and sustainably harvesting wood to make wood products is good for the health of forests and local economies. The Forest Service's Wood Innovations

Imagine a garden where leaves rustle in the breeze, casting dappled shade over ripe strawberries. Grapevines climb tall fig trees while bright orange butterflies dance in and out of their tendrils. A

“I’m the project overseer,” said Mayordomo Vicente Fernandez humbly when asked specifically about his mayordomo title. Vicente is the community manager of a 71-acre parcel in the Carson National

Across the West, lands are scarred with reminders of overuse and undermanagement. A century of fire suppression has resulted in unhealthy and overstocked forests. The cost to treat an acre of land can