The unit is taught by Dr Ryde James , a Forester, who received his training at Victoria University of Wellington, the Australian National University and Oxford University. The emphasis of the course is on the management of plantation forests for timber production. This includes the study of the background to Australian plantation forestry and planning concepts at the organisation level. The concept of managing forests to produce the type of wood demanded by the market is studied, particularly the testing and evaluation of alternatives using management models.
Evaluation is by the use of financial criteria.
Methods of calculating yield including the effects of silviculture on wood quality are covered as is the manipulation of stands to satisfy volume and quality objectives. A major part of the course involves a plantation forest exercise set and jointly evaluated with the Resource Management unit. Tools used in the formulation of management options will include optimising techniques taught in the Resource Management unit. The exercise will by tackled in groups and presentation of final recommendations will be by oral as well as written means. This is the method used to integrate the research carried out in the Faculties with that done in the Institute of Advanced Studies.