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Alley Cropping is the growing of an annual or perennial crop between rows of high value trees. The agricultural crop generates annual income while the longer-term tree crop matures. Examples include growing soybeans between rows of black walnut trees or hay between rows of fast growing pine or poplar.

Forest Farming is the cultivation of high-value specialty crops under a forest canopy that has been modified to provide the correct shad and microenvironment for the crop. These special crops usually fall into three categories: medicinal, culinary, or ornamental.

Riparian Forest Buffers are natural or planted streamside woodlands comprised of trees, shrubs, and grasses. They are designed to buffer non-point source pollution, such as excess nutrient and pesticide runoff, generated from adjacent land use. Riparian forest buffers also reduce stream bank erosion, enhance aquatic environments, augment wildlife habitat, and provide aesthetic value.

Silvopasture systems combine the growing of timber with forage and livestock production. The trees provide longer-term return, while livestock grazing of the understory generates an annual income. This combination of trees and forage often reduces stress on livestock and provides a high level of forage production.

Special Applications address the many opportunities for utilizing trees and shrubs for specific agricultural or rural community concerns. These special applications include the disposal of community waste water or farm animal waste in poplar or pine wood fiber plantations, visual screening, noise abatement, and odor control.

Windbreaks are planted to prevent soil erosion and to protect crops, livestock, buildings, work areas, roads, or communities from wind or snow. Living snowfences primarily protect roads but can also harvest snow to replenish soil moisture or fill ponds and reservoirs. There are four basic types of windbreaks: field, livestock, farmstead/community, and living snowfences.