Forest Habitat Typing is the timber site classification by the plant communities (relationships between trees, brush and herbaceous plants) in area defined by landscape features or borders.

This classification is used for species reproduction, growth, and the competitive effects in a specific area. Examples would be Cedar /Devils club which is the wettest site, where Cedar and/or Hemlock are the main and most of the time the only species growing. The Douglas firs and the Grand firs would grow for a while but would be shaded out or die of root rot. A Cedar/ Bead lily is a semi-moist site where Cedar grows well. Along with Douglas fir and Grand fir and maybe some Pines. The dry end would be Ponderosa pine / Idaho fescue in which only Ponderosa pine trees and grass grows.
There are many more Forest Habitat classifications, and in one area there could be changes. From the creek to the top of the ridge and down the other side, there are all different forest habitats and should be treated differently. Using Forest Habitat Typing, the land can be managed to grow a healthy stand of trees.

Most of today foresters do not do Forest Habitat Typing because if they did they would not (or could not) clear-cut. They would be more aware of what that area really needs to have done to it. This could be harvesting trees, thinning, cleaning out the disease and overly stressed trees. Also, under burning, cutting brush, and limbing trees so that they can become peelers for plywood. This includes planting trees of the correct species in the openings. Only harvesting trees makes money and clear cuts are fast easy money. While all the others involve time and maybe money. In other words one plan does not fit all timber stands, unless it is to make fast easy money. The site needs to be viewed as what is best for the land.
No economy without the Environment

In these days of clear cuts and lock ups, I believe in the good sense of taking what is needed and leaving the best. This will help the forest and the wildlife now and in the future. The forest and the small woodlot has to be seen through a holistic view of the whole involvement of trees, wildlife, birds, bugs, water, air and man, Not just how much money can be had.

The impact on the land and on all the life, which that land supports, will last far more into the future, then the money that was made off of it. Bare barren land does not support much life. Wet soggy land supports a limited amount of life. A dense canopy of trees letting no light in usually has no plant life on the ground, thus not too many animals. (Lewis and Clark found that out coming over the Bitterroot Mountains). But a healthy growing forest or woodlot is full of life. From the plants the animals get their food. Some of these animals themselves will become food. Thus supporting more life.
There is a sign in many homes in this part of the country that says, "This Family is supported by the Timber Industry." If birds and animals could write I think there would be a lot more signs saying, "This Family is supported by the timber”.