A stand-specific approach to organizing a woodlot for management is proposed. It is based on the thorough knowledge of the ecological characteristics of the forest and an analysis of the treatment opportunities. Central to this approach is a classification of forest ecosystems. Within this framework, forest stands are characterized and information is presented in a manner that facilitates planning and operations.

The classification and characterization of forest sites in the study area is organized at four levels: compartment, subcompartment, stand, and working group. Compartments are administrative units; subcompartments are ecologically based units with characteristic responses and sensitivities to treatment; stands are relatively homogeneous in site properties and forest cover; and working groups are stands arranged according to management objectives. Appropriate silvicultural regimes are described for the working groups, and stand map and stand description and planning tables are provided as basic management tools.