Professor and Langdale Endowed Chair in Forest Business My research focuses on applied forest business issues in four key areas of emphasis: 1) Evaluating forest businesses with regard to safety, productivity, planning, and logistics; 2) Developing solutions to improve the efficiency and profitability of forest businesses; 3) Analyzing forest business issues such as supply chain management and biomass utilization opportunities and challenges; and 4) Evaluating best management practices and the environmental impacts of forest operations. Google ScholarLinkedInResearchGate Awards, Honors and Recognitions: 2022 Carl Alwin Schenck Award for Outstanding Performance in Forestry Education, Society of American Foresters – National award presented annually to one forestry faculty member at the SAF National Convention 2022 Certificate of Teaching Excellence and Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Natural Resources and Environment, VT - Awarded to one faculty member in each college 2020 Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award, College of Natural Resources and Environment, VT - Awarded by the Graduate School to one faculty member in each college Education Education: Ph.D. Forest Engineering, Oregon State University, 2006M.F. Silviculture, Oregon State University, 2005M.S. Forest Operations, Auburn University, 2002B.S. Forestry, Auburn University, 2000 Research Selected Publications: PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS (80 total, 68 with graduate students*) DiGiacomo, P.M.*, J.L. Conrad, IV, M.C. Bolding, K.M. Woosnam, and H.L. Munro. 2025. Operational characteristics and business perspectives of wood pellet producers and feedstock suppliers in the southeastern U.S. Forest Products Journal 75(2):144-154. PDF Bays, H.C.M.*, M.C. Bolding, J.L. Conrad, IV, H.L. Munro, and S.M. Barrett. 2025. Post-harvest assessment of downed woody debris and nutrient distribution following conventional pulpwood and wood pellet feedstock harvests in the southeastern US. Journal of Environmental Management 386:125719. PDF DiGiacomo, P.M.*, M.C. Bolding, J.L. Conrad, IV, H.L. Munro, and K.M. Woosnam. 2025. Assessing the post-harvest characteristics of pellet feedstock and conventional sites in the southeastern U.S. Forest Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44391-025-00024-w PDF Black, T.M. III*, M.C. Bolding, and J.L. Conrad, IV. 2025. Updating the machine rate costing approach for forest harvesting machines in the southeastern United States. International Journal of Forest Engineering 36(2):213-221. PDF Derochers, J.*, J.L. Conrad IV, M.C. Bolding, M. Smidt, and B. da Silva. 2025. Trucks-to-trucks: A comparison of the raw forest products transportation industry and other forms of commercial trucking in the US South. International Journal of Forest Engineering 36(2):167-177. PDF Conrad, J.L. IV and M.C. Bolding. 2025. Log truck crash rates associated with 43-t weight permits in Georgia, USA. International Journal of Forest Engineering 36(2):147-156. PDF Alex, A.*, A.R. Kizha, A.K. George, L.T. Louis, M.C. Bolding, S. Bick, and N. Rogers. 2024. Timber harvesting economics in early commercial thinning and group selection prescriptions. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering 45(2):421-432. PDF Bays, H.C.M.*, M.C. Bolding, J.L. Conrad, IV, H.L. Munro, S.M. Barrett, and A. Peduzzi. 2024. Assessing the sustainability of forest biomass harvesting practices in the southeastern US to meet European renewable energy goals. Biomass and Bioenergy 186:107267. PDF Miller, T.R., M.C. Bolding, J.L. Conrad, IV, and S. Kinz. 2024. Evaluating the impact of wood flow management software on administrative costs and efficiency for wood suppliers in the Southeastern U.S.: a case study of Timber Resource Analytics and Contract Tracking software. Journal of Forest Business Research 3(1):60-80. PDF Knight, C.R.D.*, M.C. Bolding, J.L. Conrad, IV, and S.M. Barrett. 2024. Log truck transportation challenges and innovative solutions: evaluating the perspectives of truck drivers, logging business owners, and foresters. International Journal of Forest Engineering 35(1):120-128. PDF Garren, A.M.*, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, E.M. Hawks*, W.M. Aust, and T.A. Coates. 2023. A comparison of forest biomass and conventional harvesting effects on estimated erosion, best management practice implementation, ground cover, and residual woody debris in Virginia. Biomass 3:403-421. PDF Horton, C.N.*, S.M. Barrett, W.M. Aust, B.S. Hawks*, and M.C. Bolding. 2023. Sediment delivery ratios from forest road networks and harvesting operational features by physiographic region in the Southeastern U.S. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 78(5):430-439. PDF Horton, C.N.*, S.M. Barrett, B.S. Hawks*, W.M. Aust, and M.C. Bolding. 2023. Access feature areas within clearcut harvests by region across the Southeastern U.S. International Journal of Forest Engineering 34(2):168-175. Hawks, E.M.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, and S.M. Barrett. 2023. Best management practices, erosion, residual woody biomass, and soil disturbances within biomass and conventional clearcut harvests in Virginia’s Coastal Plain. Forest Science 69:200-212. Hawks, B.S.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, S.M. Barrett, E.B. Schilling, and S.P. Prisley. 2023. Increased levels of forestry best management practices reduce sediment delivery from Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plain clearcut harvests and access features, southeastern states, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 529:120697. Garren, A.M.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, S.M. Barrett, and T.A. Coates. 2022. Evaluating the productivity and costs of five energywood harvesting operations in the lower Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. International Journal of Forest Engineering 33(3):170-180. Hawks, B.S.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, and E.B. Schilling. 2022. Audit procedures and implementation rates for forest water quality best management practices in the 13 southeastern states. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 77(5):501-515. Garren, A.M.*, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, W.M. Aust, and T.A. Coates. 2022. Characteristics of forest biomass harvesting operations and markets in Virginia. Biomass and Bioenergy 163:106501. Hawks, B.S.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, E.B. Schilling, and S.P. Prisley. 2022. Increased levels of forestry best management practices reduce sediment delivery from Middle and Lower Coastal Plain clearcut harvests and access features, Southeastern States, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 519:120323. Garren, A.M.*, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, W.M. Aust, and T.A. Coates. 2022. Best management practices, estimated erosion, residual woody debris, and ground cover characteristics following biomass and conventional clearcut harvests in Virginia’s Mountains. Forest Science 68:299-311. Fielding, J.A.H*, B.S. Hawks*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, and S.M. Barrett. 2022. Estimated erosion from clearcut timber harvests in the southeastern United States. Forest Science 68:334-342. Hawks, B.S.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, S.M. Barrett, E.B. Schilling, and C.N. Horton*. 2022. Implementation of forestry best management practices and sediment delivery in three regions of North Carolina and Virginia. Forest Science 68(1):63-74. Cook, E.B.*, M.C. Bolding, R. Visser, S.M. Barrett, and B.S. O’Neal. 2022. Assessing the characteristics and supporting factors that lead to logging machine value loss in the Southeastern United States. International Journal of Forest Engineering 33(1):33-42. Hawks, B.S.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, E.B. Schilling, and J.A.H. Fielding*. 2022. Linkages between forestry best management practices and erosion in the southeastern U.S. Journal of Environmental Management 305:114411. Hahn, G.E.*, T.A. Coates, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, and M.A. Thomas-Van Gundy. 2021. Long-term impacts of silvicultural treatments on wildland fuels and modeled fire behavior in the Ridge and Valley Province, Virginia (USA). Forest Ecology and Management 496:119475. Aust, W.M., M.C. Bolding, and S.M. Barrett. 2020. Silviculture in forested wetlands: summary of current forest operations, potential effects, and long-term experiments. Wetlands 40(1):21-36. Cristan, R.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, and S.M. Barrett. 2019. Estimated sediment protection efficiencies for increasing levels of best management practices on forest harvests in the Piedmont, USA. Forests 10(997):1-21. Dangle, C.L.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, S.M. Barrett, and E.B. Schilling. 2019. Best management practices influence modeled erosion rates at forest haul road stream crossings in Virginia. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 55(5):1169-1182. Garren, A.M.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, A.C. Moura, and S.M. Barrett. 2019. Soil disturbance effects from tethered forwarding on steep slopes in Brazilian eucalyptus plantations. Forests 10(721):1-21. Cole, N.B.*, S.M. Barrett, M.C. Bolding, and W.M. Aust. 2019. An analysis of fatal log truck crashes in the United States from 2011 through 2015. International Journal of Forest Engineering 30(2):121-131. Dangle, C.L.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, E.B. Schilling, and M. Poirot. 2019. Characteristics, predicted erosion, and costs for different levels of forestry best management practices at skidder and truck stream crossings in the mountains, piedmont, and coastal plains of Virginia, USA. International Journal of Forest Engineering 30(2):76-86. Howell, R.*, W.M. Aust, and M.C. Bolding. 2019. Forestry best management practices and modeled erosion on planned and logger-selected bladed skid trails in the ridge and valley region, Virginia, USA. International Journal of Forest Engineering 30(2):68-75. Dangle, C.L.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, and E.B. Schilling. 2019. The effectiveness of forestry best management practices at skidder stream crossings in Virginia. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 74(3):199-208. Lang, A.J.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, K.J. McGuire, and E.B. Schilling. 2018. Best management practices influence sediment delivery from road stream crossings to mountain and piedmont streams. Forest Science 64(6):682-695. Cristan, R.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, and J.F. Munsell. 2018. National status of state developed and implemented forestry best management practices for protecting water quality in the United States. Forest Ecology and Management 418:73-84. Parkhurst, B.M.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, and E.A. Carter. 2018. Soil response to skidder trafficking and slash application. International Journal of Forest Engineering 29(1):31-40. Vinson, J.A.*, S.M. Barrett, W.M. Aust, and M.C. Bolding. 2017. Comparing the suitability of soil erosion models for the evaluation of bladed skid trail BMPs in the Southern Appalachians. Forests 8(482):1-18. Barrett, S.M., M.C. Bolding, and J.F. Munsell. 2017. Characteristics of logging businesses across Virginia’s diverse physiographic regions. Forests 8(468):1-13. Kim, S., M.A. Nussbaum, A.L. Schoenfisch, S.M. Barrett, M.C. Bolding, and D.E. Dickerson. 2017. Occupational safety and health concerns in logging: a cross-sectional assessment in Virginia. Forests 8(440):1-12. Lang, A.J.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, K.J. McGuire, and E.B. Schilling. 2017. Forestry best management practices for erosion control in haul road ditches near stream crossings. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 72(6):607-618. Neaves, C.M.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, C.M. Trettin, and E.D. Vance. 2017. Soil properties in site prepared loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands 25 years after wet weather harvesting in the lower Atlantic coastal plain. Forest Ecology and Management 404:344-353. Warrington, B.M.*, W.M. Aust, S.M. Barrett, W.M. Ford, C.A. Dolloff, E.B. Schilling, T.B. Wigley, and M.C. Bolding. 2017. Forestry best management practices relationships with aquatic and riparian fauna: a review. Forests 8(331):1-16. Vinson, J.A.*, S.M. Barrett, W.M. Aust, and M.C. Bolding. 2017. Evaluation of bladed skid trail closure methods in the ridge and valley region. Forest Science 63(4):432-440. Neaves, C.M.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, C.M. Trettin, and E.D. Vance. 2017. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) productivity 23 years after wet site harvesting and site preparation in the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain. Forest Ecology and Management 401:207-214. Saulnier, W.J.*, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, and S.P. Prisley. 2017. Characteristics of Virginia’s private forest landowners and their attitudes toward harvesting. Forest Products Journal 67(1/2):69-80. Lang, A.J.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, K.J. McGuire, and E.B. Schilling. 2017. Comparing sediment trap data with erosion models for evaluation of forest haul road stream crossing approaches. Transactions of the ASABE 60(2):393-408. Conrad, J.L.*, IV, M.M. Vokoun, S.P. Prisley, and M.C. Bolding. 2017. Barriers to logging production and efficiency in Wisconsin. International Journal of Forest Engineering 28(1):57-65. Hanzelka, N.C.*, J. Sullivan, M.C. Bolding, and S.M. Barrett. 2016. Economic feasibility of utilizing pre-commercially thinned southern pine as a woody biomass energy source. Forest Products Journal 66(5/6):354-361. Morris, B.C.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, K.J. McGuire, E.B. Schilling, and J. Sullivan. 2016. Differing levels of forestry best management practices at stream crossing structures affect sediment delivery and installation costs. Water 8(92):1-18. Barrett, S.M.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, W.A. Lakel III, and J.F. Munsell. 2016. Implementation of forestry best management practices on biomass and conventional harvesting operations in Virginia. Water 8(89):1-9. Hanzelka, N.C.*, M.C. Bolding, J. Sullivan, and S.M. Barrett. 2016. Productivity and costs of utilizing small-diameter stems in a biomass-only harvest. International Journal of Forest Engineering 27(1):43-52. Barrett, S.M.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, W.A. Lakel III, and J.F. Munsell. 2016. Estimated erosion, ground cover, and best management practices audit details for postharvest evaluations of biomass and conventional clearcut harvests. Journal of Forestry 114(1):9-16. Cristan, R.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, J.F. Munsell, and E.B. Schilling. 2016. Effectiveness of forestry best management practices in the United States: literature review. Forest Ecology and Management 360:133-151. Lang, A.J.*, R. Cristan*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, B.D. Strahm, E.D. Vance, and E.T. Roberts, Jr. 2016. Long-term effects of wet and dry site harvesting on soil physical properties mitigated by mechanical site preparation in coastal plain loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations. Forest Ecology and Management 359:162-173. Nolan, L.*, W.M. Aust, S.M. Barrett, M.C. Bolding, K. Brown*, and K.J. McGuire. 2015. Estimating costs and effectiveness of upgrades in forestry best management practices for stream crossings. Water 7:6946-6966. Lang, A.J.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, S.M. Barrett, K.J. McGuire, and W.A. Lakel III. 2015. Streamside management zones compromised by stream crossings, legacy gullies, and over-harvest in the Piedmont. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 51(4):1153-1164. Aust, W.M., M.C. Bolding, and S.M. Barrett. 2015. Best management practices for low volume forest roads in the Piedmont region: summary and implications of research. Journal of the Transportation Review Board 2472(1):51-55. Barrett, S.M.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, and J.F. Munsell. 2014. Characteristics of logging businesses that harvest biomass for energy production. Forest Products Journal 64(7/8):265-272. Passauer, D.P.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, B.D. Strahm, J.M. Burger, S.C. Patterson, E. Vance, and E.T. Roberts Jr. 2013. Potential above-ground biomass losses from severe soil rutting during wet weather timber harvests of coastal plain loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations mitigated by mechanical site preparation. Forest Ecology and Management 307:266-273. Conrad, J.L.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, R.L. Smith, and A. Horcher. 2013. Harvesting productivity and costs when utilizing energywood from pine plantations of the southern Coastal Plain USA. Biomass and Bioenergy 52:85-95. Wear, L.R.*, W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, B.D. Strahm, and C.A. Dolloff. 2013. Effectiveness of best management practices for sediment reduction at operational forest stream crossings. Forest Ecology and Management 289:551-561. Wade, C.R.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, and W.A. Lakel III. 2012. Comparison of five erosion control techniques for bladed skid trails in Virginia. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 36(4):191-197. Sawyers, B.C.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, and W.A. Lakel III. 2012. Effectiveness and implementation costs of overland skid trail closure techniques in the Virginia piedmont. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 67(4):298-308. Wade, C.R.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, W.A. Lakel III, and E.B. Schilling. 2012. Comparing sediment trap data with the USLE-Forest, RUSLE2, and WEPP-Road erosion models for evaluation of bladed skid trail BMPs. Transactions of ASABE 55(2):403-414. Barrett, S.M., M.C. Bolding, and J.F. Munsell. 2012. Evaluating continuing education needs and program effectiveness using a survey of Virginia’s SHARP Logger program participants. Journal of Extension [Online], 50(1) Article 1RIB8. Available at: http://www.joe.org/joe/2012february/rb8.php McKee, S.E.*, L.A. Shenk*, M.C. Bolding, and W.M. Aust. 2012. Stream crossing methods, costs, and closure best management practices for Virginia loggers. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 36(1):33-37. Conrad, J.L.*, W.S. Ford*, M.C. Groover*, M.C. Bolding, and W.M. Aust. 2012. Virginia Tech forest road and bladed skid trail cost estimation method. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 36(1):26-32. Munsell, J.F., S.M. Barrett, and M.C. Bolding. 2011. An exploratory study of biomass harvesting among logging firms in Virginia and North Carolina. Forest Science 57(5):427-434. Aust, W.M., M.B. Carroll*, M.C. Bolding, and C.A. Dolloff. 2011. Operational forest stream crossings effects on water quality in the Virginia Piedmont. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 35(3):123-130. Worrell, W.C.*, M.C. Bolding, and W.M. Aust. 2011. Potential soil erosion following skyline yarding versus tracked skidding on bladed trails in the Appalachian region of Virginia. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 35(3):131-135. Conrad, J.L.* and M.C. Bolding. 2011. Virginia’s woody biomass market: opportunities and implications. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 35(2):67-72. Conrad, J.L.*, M.C. Bolding, R.L. Smith, and W.M. Aust. 2011. Wood-energy market impact on competition, procurement practices, and profitability of landowners and forest products industry in the U.S. south. Biomass and Bioenergy 35(1):280-287. Lakel III, W.A., W.M. Aust, M.C. Bolding, C.A. Dolloff, P. Keyser, and R. Feldt. 2010. Sediment trapping by streamside management zones of various widths after forest harvest and site preparation. Forest Science 56(6):541-551. Conrad, J.L.*, M.C. Bolding, W.M. Aust, and R.L. Smith. 2010. Wood-to-energy expansion, forest ownership changes, and mill closure: Consequences for U.S. South’s wood supply chain. Forest Policy and Economics 12(6):399-406. Bolding, M.C., S.M. Barrett, J.F. Munsell, and M.C. Groover. 2010. Characteristics of Virginia’s logging businesses in a changing timber market. Forest Products Journal 60(1):86-93. Bolding, M.C., L.D. Kellogg, and C.T. Davis. 2009. Soil compaction and visual disturbance following an integrated mechanical forest fuel reduction operation in southwest Oregon. International Journal of Forest Engineering 20(2):47-56. Moldenhauer, M.C.* and M.C. Bolding. 2009. Parcelization of South Carolina’s private forestland: Loggers’ reactions to a growing threat. Forest Products Journal 59(6):37-43. Bolding, M.C., L.D. Kellogg, and C.T. Davis. 2009. Productivity and costs of an integrated mechanical forest fuel reduction operation in southwest Oregon. Forest Products Journal 59(3):35-46. Bolding, M.C. and B.L. Lanford. 2005. Wildfire fuel harvesting and resultant biomass utilization using a cut-to-length / small chipper system. Forest Products Journal 55(12):181-189. Murphy, G.E., H.D. Marshall, and M.C. Bolding. 2004. Adaptive control of bucking on harvesters to meet order book constraints. Forest Products Journal 54(12):114-121. Labs/Centers/Committee: Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business Area of Specialty: Forest Business Operations Research Areas: Forestry Forest Business Research Interests: Forest harvesting logistics; forest business issues; engineering economic analysis; wood supply chain efficiency; fiber procurement; woody biomass utilization; environmental impacts and best management practices; workforce and safety issues; professional skills and career preparedness Teaching: FORS 5750/7750 Procurement and Management of Wood Fiber SupplyFORS 8600 Forest Business SustainabilityFANR 3950 Professional Communication and Development in Natural ResourcesFANR 4500S Senior ProjectGRSC 7001 GradFIRST Seminar: Academic Writing and Reviewing Skills
