Dr. M. Chad Bolding has joined the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation in the College of Natural Resources as an Assistant Professor of Forest Operations/Engineering.

Dr. Bolding’s research interests are primarily focused on forest operations, harvesting, and harvesting/silviculture interactions.  His most recent work has investigated mechanical forest fuel reduction approaches to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, utilize forest biomass, and assess environmental effects of mechanical entry.  He is also interested in wood supply chain and forest business issues including the influence of markets, operational constraints, and regulations on forest operations and small business owners.  Bolding is active in professional organizations such as the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the Council on Forest Engineering (COFE).  He has recently served as co-chair of COFE and both chapter chair and science and technology chair in the SC division of SAF. 

Dr. Bolding has a BS and MS in forestry from Auburn University, and an MF in silviculture and PhD in forest engineering from Oregon State University.  Before coming to Virginia Tech he was an Assistant Professor of Forest Operations and Harvesting at Clemson University for 2 years.

At Virginia Tech, Dr. Bolding will focus his research and teaching program on Industrial Forest Operations and Business while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in forest harvesting, timber procurement, and harvesting systems evaluation.

Areas of Expertise

• Forest Operations
• Wood Supply Chain Efficiency
• Timber Harvesting
• Biomass and Bioenergy
  

Dr. Bolding may be reached at:
Dr. Chad Bolding
Assistant Professor of Forest Operations/Engineering
Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; 228-A Cheatham Hall
Email: bolding@vt.edu, Phone: 231-6924, Fax: 231-3330
Webpage: www.forestry.vt.edu/bolding