An overview of the research undertaken in the last years concerning to the management of the 'espinal' agro-silvo-pastoral system of Central Chile, is presented. A cartographic study of 22,000 ha in the subhumid region revealed that 60 per cent of the area was extremely degraded, with less than 25 per cent of tree cover. Silviculture managements are proposed in order to improve the tree-pasture system. In non-degraded 'espinales' coppice prune is a good alternative to improve both tree and pasture growth. In strong degraded 'espinales' we consider the introduction of other legume tree/shrub species like Chamaecytisus proliferus. Acacia saligna, A. decurrens, A. aneura and others non legume trees (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus suber, Gleditsia triacanthos), all of these having a high survival and growth in the 'secano interior'.