Lubrecht Experimental Forest | Northern Rockies Fire Science Network

The Lubrecht Experimental Forest is a 28,000-acre outdoor laboratory and classroom located 30 miles northeast of Missoula, Montana, in the Blackfoot River drainage. The University of Montana's Forest and Conservation Experiment Station and the Montana Department of State Lands jointly own and cooperatively manage the forest.

Ecology

Almost 80% of the Lubrecht Experimental Forest is a mix of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Open ponderosa pine stands with grassy openings dominate low-elevation, south-facing slopes, and Douglas-fir dominates north- and east-facing slopes. Approximately 10% of the forest is covered with dense stands of lodgepole pine (P. contorta) that established following wildfires.

Documents

2025 The national Fire and Fire Surrogate study: effects of fuel treatments in the Western and Eastern United States after 20 years Alexis Bernal et al.
2024 Many Benefits Realized After a Long-Term Fuel Reduction and Restoration Study in Western Montana Justin S. Crotteau et al.
2022 Decoupling between soil moisture and biomass drives seasonal variations in live fuel moisture across co-occurring plant functional types Tegan P. Brown et al.
2019 Western Rx Fire Science Research Burn: Extending southeastern prescribed fire lessons and science to the West Monique D. Wynecoop
2013 Developing a computerized approach for optimizing individual tree removal to efficiently reduce crown fire potential Marco A. Contreras et al.
2012 Experimental forests and climate change: views of long-term employees on ecological change and the role of Experimental Forests and Ranges in understanding and adapting to climate change Laurie Yung et al.
2011 Deriving fuel mass by size class in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) using terrestrial laser scanning Carl A. Seielstad et al.
2010 Restoration treatment effects on stand structure, tree growth, and fire hazard in a ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forest in Montana Carl E. Fiedler et al.
2009 The national fire and fire surrogate study: effects of fuel reduction methods on forest vegetation structure and fuels Dylan W. Schwilk et al.
2009 Response of bark beetles and their natural enemies to fire and fire surrogate treatments in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana Diana L. Six et al.
2009 Lubrecht State Experimental Forest prescribed fire effects study 1973-2006 Elizabeth D. Reinhardt
2009 Fire treatment effects on vegetation structure, fuels, and potential fire severity in western U.S. forests Scott L. Stephens et al.
2009 Short-term effects of forest restoration management on non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixation in western Montana Tricia A. Burgoyne et al.
2009 Assessing the performance of sampling designs for measuring abundance of understory plants after forest restoration Ilana L. Abrahamson
2008 Using bark char codes to predict post-fire cambium mortality Sharon M. Hood et al.
2007 Evaluation of a post-fire tree mortality model for western USA conifers Sharon M. Hood et al.
2006 Nitrogen spatial heterogeneity influences diversity following restoration in a ponderosa pine forest, Montana Michael J. Gundale et al.
2006 Vegetation response to restoration treatments in ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir forests Kerry L. Metlen et al.
2006 Fire history of western Montana forested landscapes via tree-ring analyses Henri D. Grissino-Mayer et al.
2005 Restoration treatments in a Montana ponderosa pine forest: effects on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties Michael J. Gundale et al.
2000 Effects of selection harvest and prescribed fire on the soil nitrogen status of ponderosa pine forests Thomas H. DeLuca et al.
1980 Postharvest residue burning under alternative silvicultural practices Robert W. Steele

Visit the Lubrecht Experimental Forest website

Landscape photo of the Lubrecht Experimental Forest

Podcasts

Dec 1, 2022

Fire Ecology Chats Episode 19: Decoupling between soil moisture and biomass drives seasonal variations in live fuel moisture across co-occurring plant functional types

Recorded Media

Dec 1, 2022

Fire Ecology Chats Episode 19: Decoupling between soil moisture and biomass drives seasonal variations in live fuel moisture across co-occurring plant functional types

Past Events