Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
John M. Mandzak Papers, 1974-2009
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Mandzak, John M. (John Michael), 1945-2011
- Title
- John M. Mandzak Papers
- Dates
- 1974-2009 (inclusive)19742009
- Quantity
- 3.0 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 1007
- Summary
- This collection contains grey literature, scientific data, and informal studies related to John Mandzak and his employers. Mandzak, who specialized in the relationship between forest health and chemical treatments, worked as a scientist for several timber companies in Idaho and Western Montana from 1980 to 2010. Around the same time, Mandzak also managed the Mandzak Tree Farm west of Missoula, Montana, where he conducted business and private research.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
John Michael Mandzak was a botanist, forester, and silviculturist who spent his career working throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Originally from New York, Mandzak first obtained an associate’s degree in chemical technology from Corning Community College. After a brief time working as an analytic chemist, Mandzak attended the University of Montana in Missoula, completing a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry and a master’s degree in botany in 1974. After working in the forestry industry and starting a family, he earned his doctorate degree in forest soils from the University of Washington in 1987.
Mandzak worked for 17 years for Champion International Corporation, including as Western Region Silviculturalist; as Corporate Silviculturalist for Boise Cascade Corporation; and as Operations Silviculturalist for Potlatch. He also served as a faculty affiliate at the University of Montana and the University of Idaho. Throughout his career, Mandzak promoted numerous cooperative ventures between corporate, government, and academic entities. To that end, he co-founded the Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, chaired the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative, and served at all levels in the Society of American Foresters.
In 1977, Mandzak sold timber to purchase a home on 30 acres about 35 miles west of Missoula. Over the next twenty years, this would become the Mandzak Tree Farm and grow in size to about 350 acres. While the Mandzak Tree Farm was a site for family business and leisure, it also functioned as an outdoor laboratory for Mandzak to explore his scientific interests. These interests were primarily in first site classification and its relationship to forest nutrition, as well as the role of chemical intervention in growth potential and vegetation management. After a long battle with brain cancer, Mandzak died in 2011 in Lewiston, Idaho, at the age of 65.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains materials related to the life and works of John Mandzak. The bulk of the collection is comprised of grey literature distributed to employees of Champion International Corporation and Boise Cascade Corporation. In addition to containing scientific data and analysis, this literature contains management plans, internal correspondence, and business strategies. This collection also contains information related to the Mandzak Tree Farm near Missoula, Montana, including scientific data, site descriptions, and cooperative initiatives.
While this collection contains some internal documents associated with Champion International Corporation and Boise Cascade Corporation, there is little material related to Potlatch Corporation, the University of Montana, the University of Idaho, or the various forestry cooperatives with which Mandzak was associated.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Non-exclusive intellectual property rights to some materials created by Mandzak are held by the University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
John M. Mandzak Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Series I: Grey Literature, 1974-2000, 2.0 linear feet
Subseries 1: Academic Literature, 1974-1991, 0.4 linear feet
Subseries 2: Champion International Corporation Literature, 1980-1994, 0.6 linear feet
Subseries 3: Boise Cascade Corporation Literature, 1988-2000, 0.4 linear feet
Subseries 4: Miscellaneous Literature, 1981-1995, 0.6 linear feet
Series II: Mandzak Tree Farm, 1979-2004, 0.8 linear feet
Series III: Informal Studies, 1986-2009, 0.2 linear feet
Custodial History
This collection was held by Patricia Mandzak, John Mandzak's wife, until being given to University of Montana faculty member John Goodburn for transfer to Archives and Special Collections.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Patricia Mandzak, 2013.
Processing Note
The bulk of material in this collection was removed from folders or three ring binders and kept in its original order. Duplicate materials were assessed and those of highest quality were retained. Published materials and reports that are readily avaiable elsewhere were removed from the collection.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Grey Literature, 1974-2000Return to Top
This series contains written material and scientific data generated by John Mandzak and other individuals. In most cases, the material resembles research papers similar to published scientific articles. Most documents are not widely published and are therefore assumed to have been internal documents for particular timber companies, with the exception of subseries one, which houses academic literature.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Academic Literature 0.4 linear feet
This subseries contains Mandzak’s academic writing, including his master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation. It also contains papers authored by other scientists associated with the University of Idaho, the University of Montana, and Oregon State University.
|
1974-1991 | |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | "Progressive Acid Dissolution Technique: A New Direction in the Study of Forest Soils" This is Mandzak's Masters Thesis
|
1974 |
| 1/2 | "Report on the Soil Temperature Regime Study of the Swan Valley" By Pamala Hackley and Thomas Nimlos, University of Montana, School of Forestry |
March 29, 1982 |
| 1/3 | "Fertility, Productivity, and Management of Forest Lands with Calcareous Soils in Western Montana" This is Mandzak's Doctoral Dissertation
|
1987 |
| 1/4 | "Operational Challenges of Uneven-aged Management" By John Mann, Bill Atkinson, Steve Tesch, Forestry Engineering, Oregon State University |
January 9, 1991 |
| 1/5 | "Modeling Interior Douglas-Fir Growth and Yield Following Thinning and Fertilization Treatments" By Lianjun Zhang and James Moore, College of Forestry, University of Idaho This document contains annotations; Folder 1 of 2
|
March 1, 1991 |
| 1/6 | "Modeling Interior Douglas-Fir Growth and Yield Following Thinning and Fertilization Treatments" By Lianjun Zhang and James Moore, College of Forestry, University of Idaho This document contains annotations; Folder 2 of 2
|
March 1, 1991 |
Subseries 2: Champion International Corporation Literature 0.6 linear feet
This subseries contains scientific literature and research notes associated with Champion International Corporation. Some of this material was authored by Mandzak, but the bulk of the material was written by others.
|
1980-1994 | |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/7 | "Marshall Creek Watershed Study" By Gordon Sanders, Champion International Corporation |
May 1, 1980 |
| 1/8 | "Study Plan for the Evaluation of the Costs of the Construction of Firelines Using Handtools and by Water Gel Explosives" By Frank Sherman and John Mandzak, Champion International Corporation |
September 9, 1980 |
| 1/9 | Miscellaneous literature and correspondence distributed by Champion International Corporation |
1981 |
| 2/1 | "Economic Evaluations of Research Opportunities Using the Discounted Cash Flow Method" By James Woodman, Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; It is unclear who authored this report
|
March 29, 1982 |
| 2/2 | "Residual Freeze Conditioning Study" By Kelsey Milner, John Mandzak, and Bill Chandler, Champion International Corporation |
August 27, 1982 |
| 2/3 | "Project Problem Analysis: Forest Fertilization for the Rocky Mountain Operation" Draft, By John Mandzak, Champion International Corporation This draft contains extensive annotations
|
October 15, 1982 |
| 2/4 | "Soil Identification Keys for Champion Timberlands" Barry Dutton, Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; This document contains annotations; Folder 1 of 2
|
June 1, 1983 |
| 2/5 | "Soil Identification Keys for Champion Timberlands" Barry Dutton, Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; This document contains annotations; Folder 2 of 2
|
June 1, 1983 |
| 2/6 | "Research Notes" Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 1 of 4
|
1984-1989 |
| 2/7 | "Research Notes" Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 2 of 4
|
1984-1989 |
| 2/8 | "Research Notes" Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 3 of 4
|
1989-1991 |
| 2/9 | "Research Notes" Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 4 of 4
|
1991-1992 |
| 2/10 | "Forest Development and Research And Plains Forest Regeneration Center Supporting Champions Montana Fee Lands" Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 1 of 2
|
1993 |
| 3/1 | "Forest Development and Research And Plains Forest Regeneration Center Supporting Champions Montana Fee Lands" Champion International Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 2 of 2
|
1993 |
| 3/2 | "Interesting Times: Champion to Plum Creek Transition" Champion International Corporation, Plum Creek Timber Company Removed from three ring binder; Contains reports and correspondence
|
1993-1994 |
| 3/3 | "Research and Development Plan" Champion International Corporation It is unclear who authored this report
|
undated |
Subseries 3: Boise Cascade Corporation Literature 0.4 linear feet
This subseries contains scientific literature and research plans associated with Boise Cascade Corporation. Some of this material was authored by Mandzak.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/4 | "Idaho Region Product Site Type Management Plan" By John Mandzak, Boise Cascade Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 1 of 2
|
December 12, 1988 |
| 3/5 | "Idaho Region Product Site Type Management Plan" By John Mandzak, Boise Cascade Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 2 of 2
|
December 12, 1988 |
| 3/6 | "Methodology documentation and field guide for Boise Cascade Corporation GIS lithology map layer and nutrition geochemistry compilation" Boise Cascade Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; It is unclear who authored this report
|
May 5, 1999 |
| 3/7 | "BCC Hexazinone Herbicide References" Boise Cascade Corporation This folder contains a literature review by Mandzak; Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 1 of 3
|
September 25, 2000 |
| 3/8 | "BCC Hexazinone Herbicide References" Boise Cascade Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 2 of 3
|
September 25, 2000 |
| 3/9 | "BCC Hexazinone Herbicide References" Boise Cascade Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Folder 3 of 3
|
September 25, 2000 |
Subseries 4: Miscellaneous Literature 0.6 linear feet
This subseries contains scientific literature generated by government entities, environmental companies, and independent scholars.
|
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/1 | "Land Systems Inventory of the Palouse District, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho" By Thomas Dechert, Dale Wilson, Maynard Fosberg, Anita Falen Ula Moody, William Marr, University of Idaho, United States Forest Service, Potlach Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Contains light annotations; Folder 1 of 3
|
June 1, 1981 |
| 4/2 | "Land Systems Inventory of the Palouse District, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho" By Thomas Dechert, Dale Wilson, Maynard Fosberg, Anita Falen Ula Moody, William Marr, University of Idaho, United States Forest Service, Potlach Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Contains light annotations; Folder 2 of 3
|
June 1, 1981 |
| 4/3 | "Land Systems Inventory of the Palouse District, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho" By Thomas Dechert, Dale Wilson, Maynard Fosberg, Anita Falen Ula Moody, William Marr, University of Idaho, United States Forest Service, Potlach Corporation Removed from a three ring binder; Contains light annotations; Folder 3 of 3
|
June 1, 1981 |
| 4/4 | "Descriptive Legend, Flathead National Forest" It is unclear who authored this report; Folder 1 of 2
|
July 19, 1982 |
| 4/5 | "Descriptive Legend, Flathead National Forest" It is unclear who authored this report; Folder 2 of 2
|
July 19, 1982 |
| 4/6 | "Shrub Control in the Inland Northwest: A Summary of Herbicide Test Results" By Daniel Miller and Frank Kidd, Potlach Corporation This document contains annotations
|
February 7, 1983 |
| 4/7 | "Desirable Stocking Levels for Uneven-Aged Management" By Earle Wilcox, U.S. Department of the Interior |
April 1985 |
| 4/8 | "State Lands Tree Improvement Plan" By David Remington |
February 1990 |
| 4/9 | "Processing at the Stump" Study By the Rexford Ranger District On the Good Creek and South Pinto Timber Sales |
1992 |
| 4/10 | "Two Year Vegetation Control and Tree Growth in Oust and Hexazinone Plots in Western Montana" By Scott McLeod, Land and Water Consulting |
October 6, 1995 |
| 5/1 | "The Mineralogy of Glauconite" By Graham Thompson and John Hower |
undated |
| 5/2 | "Forest Genetics in the Lake States: An Annotated Bibliography" By William Libby, Burton Barnes, and Stephen Spurr |
undated |
| 5/3 | "Physical Site Classifications System" By David Pritchard Removed from a three ring binder
|
undated |
Series II: Mandzak Tree Farm, 1979-2004Return to Top
This series contains business information, management plans, and scientific data associated with the Mandzak Tree Farm. Located 35 miles west of Missoula, the tree farm sits on 350 acres of forested land near the Nine Mile Community Center. In addition to functioning as a sustainable business, the Mandzak Tree Farm operated as an outdoor laboratory for Mandzak.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 5/4 | Mandzak Tree Farm Forest Management Plan |
March 9, 1979 |
| 5/5 | Mandzak Tree Farm Weed Spray and Fertilization Data |
1982-2003 |
| 5/6 | Mandzak Tree Farm Timber Sale Records, Champion International Corporation This folder also contains plot data and management plans
|
1990-1999 |
| 5/7 | Mandzak Tree Farm Thinning Cost Share Information |
1992-1998 |
| 5/8 | Mandzak Tree Farm Tree Planting Information |
1992-1999 |
| 5/9 | Mandzak Tree Farm Investment and Tax Analysis |
October 23, 1993 |
| 5/10 | Mandzak Tree Farm Inventory Plot Data Folder 1 of 6
|
1993-2001 |
| 5/11 | Mandzak Tree Farm Inventory Plot Data Folder 2 of 6
|
1993-2001 |
| 5/12 | Mandzak Tree Farm Inventory Plot Data Folder 3 of 6
|
1993-2001 |
| 5/13 | Mandzak Tree Farm Inventory Plot Data Folder 4 of 6
|
1993-2001 |
| 5/14 | Mandzak Tree Farm Inventory Plot Data Folder 5 of 6
|
1993-2001 |
| 6/1 | Mandzak Tree Farm Inventory Plot Data Folder 6 of 6
|
1993-2001 |
| 6/2 | Mandzak Tree Farm Montana Forest Stewardship Cost Share Plan This folder contains a historical description of the Mandzak Tree Farm
|
1997 |
| 6/3 | Mandzak Tree Farm Timber Sale Records, Stimson Lumber Company |
2001-2004 |
| 6/4 | Mandzak Tree Farm Timber Sale Records, Tricon Timber This folder also contains fire hazard reduction agreements and geospatial data
|
2002-2004 |
| 6/5 | Mandzak Tree Farm Timber Sale Records, Pyramid Mountain Lumber Incorporated |
2004 |
Series III: Informal Studies, 1986-2009Return to Top
This series contains scientific data, logistical planning, and management planning for scientific ventures not associated with formal studies or corporate directives. In some cases, it is unclear who generated this information.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/6 | Yield Tables for Libby and Missoula Areas Distributed to Champion International Corporation employees
|
June 20, 1986 |
| 6/7 | Data related to Ponderosa Pine Sites in Western Montana |
April 22, 1992 |
| 6/8 | Data related to the chemical composition of tissue samples from numerous tree plots This file also includes literature detailing methods; The data in this file was gathered for Champion International Corporation; Folder 1 of 2
|
1993-1997 |
| 6/9 | Data related to the chemical composition of tissue samples from numerous tree plots This file also includes literature detailing methods; The data in this file was gathered for Champion International Corporation; Folder 2 of 2
|
1993-1997 |
| 6/10 | Plum Creek Timber Installation Study Plans This folder contains logistical information and data related to a study of Plum Creek timberlands
|
2009 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Forest management -- West (U.S.)
- Forestry schools and education -- West(U.S.)
- Forests and forestry -- West (U.S.)
Occupations
- Foresters -- West (U.S.)
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Boise Cascade Corporation (creator)
- Champion International Corporation (creator)
- Mandzak Tree Farm (Montana) (creator)
Finding aid prepared by Sean Cleary
2024
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
