Contemporary wood utilization res. needs in the Western U.S. are examined in this problem analysis. Key focal areas: (1) Changes in forest management actions & policies affect forest conditions & people, which in turn affect wood quality & wood utilization opportunities; (2) Effects of natural disturbances (e.g., wildfire, insect outbreaks) on wood quality, wood utilization, & people are poorly understood; (3) Regional differences throughout the Western States are poorly understood in the context of wood utilization; & (4) Technical assistance & feasibility analyses are needed by resource managers, technical organizations, users of natural resources, & others interested in the physical character., processing, & marketing of forest products. Illustrations.