In the South of France, woodlands are currently used by livestock farmers. The grazing potential of this complex type of vegetation results from the relationships between various layers. Such woodlands can be utilized for many functions: stock-feeding during critical periods, flexibility and security in the pasture grazing sequence. The connection of various phases with their challenges accounts for farm land use, from a livestock viewpoint. Three examples are given, with various animal production systems using evergreen oak coppices. Sylvopastoralism is then defined as the imbrication of two management systems on the same area; i.e. a meeting point of animal rearing and forestry. Some of the consequences of this encounter are examined, namely the need to distinguish different levels of organization (from the single plot to the forest development plan) and the possibility to plan coordinated activities or interventions.