The hardwood research cooperative program at North Carolina State University

This article introduces the organization and research programs of the Hardwood Research Cooperative (HRC), North Carolina State University. The HRC was formed to conduct hardwood genetic improvement and silvicultural research for the southeast US. The work of the HRC is divided between plantation and natural stand investigations, both involving fundamental and applied research. The HRC's plantation research program investigates opportunities that will enable the deployment of economically and ecological sustainable fast-growing, short-rotation, intensive-culture hardwood plantations. Natural stand hardwood forestry research is conducted on virtually all site types across the South to increase stand productivity, with an emphasis on competition and stocking management in young even-aged and two-aged stands.