An updated silvics text for British Columbia. The need for an effective learning tool for silvics - one of the basic required courses in forestry - has been recognized by intructors as well as students across the province. The text prepared 18 years ago by Krajina et al. (1982) specifically for western Canada has become outdated. The silvics text by Burns and Honkala (1990) represents an up-to-date compendium but it is not an effective learning tool, particularly lacking in the linkage of silvics to ecological classification. Consequently, we revised and expanded “Distribution and Ecological Characteristics of Trees and Shrubs of British Columbia” (Krajina et al. 1982) using the available information on silvics, with some modification for BC and the results of recent silvics research done in BC. This material has been consolidated into a format that will help students understand the silvical attributes of tree species as well as the relationships between trees and their environments. To enhance learning, we have selected a series of slides illustrating the salient characteristics for each species and present this visual component on a CD-ROM included with the text. Also included is a large biogeoclimatic zone map of BC. The text, together with the CD-ROM, is intended to facilitate learning of silvics emphasizing its application to silviculture.