The Holt Research Forest (http://umaine.edu/holtresearchforest/) is the location of a long­term ecological research project in Arrowsic, Maine overseen by the University of Maine and the Maine Tree Foundation, originally comprising two former farms joined to create a 120­ hectare parcel of old­field and woodlot. The now totally forested site is primarily of the oak­pine type, with a land­use history typical of midcoast Maine. Because of the high development pressure in this region the Holt family's gift provided an invaluable opportunity to model and study the forestry practiced by small­lot owners, which is very different from the production silviculture typical of the northern part of the state.