• Bentley, Cathy V.
  Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
  
• Pinto, Fred
  Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
  

This manual is a summary of autecological information on plant species that grow in the forest understory and compete with commercially important crop trees, in central Ontario. There are 37 shrubs and I fern species included. The material is easy to use for quick reference and is relevant to integrated forest management and developing alternatives in vegetation management to promote sustainable forestry. For each plant species, a description is given of general characteristics, leaves, flowers, fruiting structures, roots, and notes on similar species, with a line drawing of important features helpful for plant recognition. Each summary also includes information from a literature review on habitat requirements (range and microclimate), growth and development (above and below ground), phenology and reproduction, responses to silvicultural treatments and disturbances (overstory removal or partial removal, fire, mechanical site preparation, pruning, mulches, herbicides, fertilization, and grazing), competitive effects on selected tree species, use by wildlife, ecological significance, and cultural value.