Comprehensive Forestry & Arboriculture Resources

A curated collection of freely accessible resources for professionals, researchers, students, and enthusiasts in the fields of forestry and arboriculture.

This comprehensive resource library aims to provide an exhaustive overview of freely accessible resources within forestry and arboriculture. From terminology and basic understanding to in-depth literature, educational opportunities, data analysis tools, practical application guides, and regional resources, we've organized everything you need to enhance your knowledge and practice.

Foundational Resources: Terminology and Basic Understanding

Dictionaries and Glossaries

  • International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Online International Dictionary
    Provides definitions of arboricultural terms and offers translations in multiple languages such as German and Portuguese, facilitating communication and understanding across international boundaries within the arboricultural community.
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  • Arboriculture Glossary Online
    Offers a broad collection of arboricultural terms, providing definitions ranging from basic concepts like "abiotic" (nonliving) to more technical terms such as "air terminal" (uppermost point of a tree lightning protection system).
  • ISA International Dictionary
    While this resource has not been updated since October 2019, it still holds significant value as an archive of arboricultural terminology and translations. Its historical record of definitions can be particularly useful for understanding older literature or the evolution of terminology within the field.
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  • Green Tree Doctor Glossary
    Offers a glossary covering a wide range of terms relevant to tree care, from "abatement" (reduction in hazard) to "annual rings" (growth rings in a tree trunk).
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  • Arbor Venture Tree Care UK Glossary
    Provides a glossary focused on terms used in tree work practices within the United Kingdom, including terms like "AGL" (Above ground level) and "Crown Lift."
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  • Ohlone Bond Terms and Definitions
    A structured list that offers concise definitions particularly relevant to areas like tree root protection zones and various arboricultural treatments, providing a focused reference for practical applications.
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  • Canadian Forest Service Forestry Glossary
    Provides a comprehensive forestry glossary covering a range of forestry-related terms, including those related to biodiversity and climate change.
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  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources Glossary
    Offers a glossary with definitions relevant to forest management and ecology.
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  • LRC Online Extension Notes Glossary
    Provides a glossary within its Extension Notes, covering terms related to forest measurement and management practices.
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  • Massachusetts Government Forestry Terms for Landowners
    Offers a glossary tailored for individuals owning forest land.
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  • Clemson University Forestry Terms Glossary
    Features a glossary encompassing terms from afforestation to uneven-aged timber.
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  • Forestry Compendium
    A comprehensive glossary of forestry terms.
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Encyclopedias and Comprehensive Guides

  • Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences
    A comprehensive reference covering all aspects of forest sciences, from ecology to management.
  • The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Knowledge Base
    Provides comprehensive information on tree care practices, safety standards, and industry guidelines.
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  • Urban Tree Foundation
    Offers comprehensive resources on urban forestry, tree planting, and maintenance.
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Literature Access and Educational Resources

Open Access Journals and Repositories

  • Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
    An international journal that publishes scientific articles on urban forestry research and practice.
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  • Journal of Forestry Research
    Publishes original research papers, review articles, and short communications in all aspects of forestry.
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  • Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research
    Publishes research on all aspects of forest science, including forest ecology, management, and policy.
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  • Forest Science Database
    A comprehensive database of forestry research publications.

Online Courses and Educational Materials

  • ISA Online Learning Center
    Offers a variety of online courses, webinars, and educational resources for arborists and tree care professionals.
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  • Forestry and Natural Resources Extension
    Provides educational resources, webinars, and online courses on forestry and natural resource management.
  • edX Forestry Courses
    Free online courses from top universities covering various aspects of forestry and arboriculture.
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Data Resources and Analytical Tools

Forest Inventory and Analysis

  • USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis National Program
    Provides data, tools, and reports on America's forests, including forest health, productivity, and diversity.
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  • Global Forest Watch
    An online platform that provides data and tools for monitoring forests globally.
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GIS and Remote Sensing Tools

  • i-Tree Tools
    A suite of free tools for assessing and managing urban forests and their ecosystem services.
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  • QGIS for Forestry
    Free and open-source GIS software with plugins specifically designed for forestry applications.
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Practical Application Resources

Best Practice Guides

  • ISA Best Management Practices Series
    A series of publications covering best practices in various aspects of arboriculture, including tree pruning, planting, and risk assessment.
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  • ANSI A300 Standards
    Industry-developed standards for tree care operations.
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Field Guides and Manuals

  • USDA Forest Service Field Guides
    A collection of field guides covering various aspects of forest management and tree identification.
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  • Arbor Day Foundation Tree Identification Guide
    An online guide to help identify tree species based on leaves, bark, and other characteristics.
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Regional Resources and Adaptation

North America

  • USDA Forest Service
    Provides resources, research, and management guidelines for forests in the United States.
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  • Natural Resources Canada - Canadian Forest Service
    Offers resources and research on Canadian forests and forestry practices.
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Europe

  • European Forest Institute
    Provides research, resources, and policy support for sustainable forest management in Europe.
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  • Forestry Commission (UK)
    Offers resources and guidelines for forest management in the United Kingdom.
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Asia-Pacific

  • Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission
    Provides resources and information on forestry in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Community Engagement and Citizen Science

Citizen Science Projects

  • iNaturalist
    A platform for recording and sharing observations of biodiversity, including trees and forest ecosystems.
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  • TreeSnap
    A citizen science app that helps scientists gather information about trees for research and conservation.
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Community Forestry Resources

  • Alliance for Community Trees
    Provides resources and support for community-based tree planting and care programs.
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  • Urban & Community Forestry Program
    Offers resources and support for urban and community forestry initiatives.
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Enhance Your Arboriculture Knowledge with Arborcast.ai

Beyond these static resources, Arborcast.ai will transform complex arboriculture research into accessible audio content delivered through our botanical guides.

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