Why Invest in Managed Forestry?

Managed forestry is a science which can increase the productivity of land by ten times, or more. The process involves the application of scientific knowledge and technology across the complete lifespan of forestry. Site selection and preparation, growth and choice of seedlings, planting, fertilization and watering, pruning, ground maintenance, thinning and harvest have all benefitted enormously from research. Plantations are more productive now than at any time, and more important than ever.

Trees, by an exceptionally, almost 100% efficient process called photosynthesis, use sunlight to react with chlorophyll to form glucose, the building block of cellulose, and oxygen, without any pollution. Nature transforms cellulose into wood, oil and other substances which human ingenuity has found useful. Concerned we should be about the reserves of oil essential to our modern lives, but what of the trees which make oil? Where energy is concerned, solar and wind power are environmentally friendly but forests are nature’s original green source of power.

As human activity expands the forested areas of the planet decrease. Especially important are the planet’s precious rainforests which create oxygen, trap carbon and support enormous biodiversity. Without the prospect of more land for forestry, increasing demand for forest products and fewer trees means managed forestry is essential to achieve sustainability.