GROWING STRONGER ForestS
The long-term work after planting
Planting trees is only the beginning. Like a garden, young forests need care as they grow. Foresters call this tending.
As trees develop, foresters monitor their growth and, when needed, reduce competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients from nearby trees and vegetation so the strongest trees can make the most of the available growing space.
Tending can include thinning crowded stands, helping young trees become established, and other treatments designed to improve forest health and growth. These activities also help create forests that are more resilient and can support wildlife habitat, recreation, clean water, carbon storage, and future wood supply.
Over time, foresters continue to manage the forest through its life cycle. Depending on the forest and its objectives, this may include selection-harvesting, where only a portion of trees are removed, or even-aged harvesting followed by regeneration and renewal.
Forestry is a long-term commitment. Our foresters follow the forest through all its cycles—from planting and tending through harvest and renewal.
And all the while, growing more than we harvest.
“As a parent, sustainability is important to me because I want see forests being healthy and vigorous for my children I’d like to see them enjoy recreation in the forest like I do. I like to see them benefit from the air quality, the water quality, the wildlife, that we benefit from today.”