ForestryForestry

 

Coniferous: cone bearing trees that keep their leaves all year round. Examples include Spruce and Pine. Coniferous trees account for 63% of forests.Deciduous: trees that lose their leaves every fall/winter. Deciduous trees account for 22% of forests.Mixed Forests: these are forests that contain both coniferous and deciduous trees. Mixed forests account for 15% of forests in Canada.*** Remember: Coniferous Keep and Deciduous Drop

Forest FactsForest FactsForests cover ½ of Canada’s total

area63% of our forests are composed

of coniferous trees22% are composed of deciduous

trees15% are mixed forestOnly Russia and Brazil have more

forest

Commercial vs. Non–Commercial Commercial vs. Non–Commercial forestsforests

Commercial forests – those that have trees that can be harvested (cut down for $)

Non-Commercial Forests – those that are unlikely to be cut down for industrial use

Commercial Foreststhey exist in warm/wet areas of Canada where the trees grow faster (southern areas)Close to road, railways and waterways – good for transportationNon-commercial ForestsCooler/dryer climates make the trees grow slower (northern area)Far from markets – expensive transportation

What determines whether a forest is commercial or non-commercial?

Look at the map of Canada’s forest regions on page 300

On your map of Canada, please describe what types of forestry are occurring in each province◦Commercial vs. non commercial◦Sawmills vs Pulp and paper

Pulp and Paper IndustryPulp and Paper IndustryThe pulp and paper industry

contains huge factories that break down trees into individual fibers and turns them into paper products.

Lumber Industry• Sawmills are a much smaller

operation than a pulp and paper mill.

• These plants cut trees into smaller pieces in order to make timber, plywood, or cedar singles.

Pulp and paper MillsPulp and paper MillsThere are pulp and paper mills in most

Canadian provinces, however the majority of them are located in Ontario and Quebec.

Pulp and paper requires the trees to be completely broken down.◦This requires a great deal of energy.

Less energy will be used if the trees being broken down are a smaller size. ◦Trees in Ontario and Quebec are smaller

because of the shorter growing season and low levels of precipitation.

SawmillSawmillssThe majority of sawmills are located

in BC.

Sawmills like to use large trees.◦The larger the tree, the more lumber it

can produce. The largest trees in the country are

found in BC due to the narrow temperature range and heavy precipitation.

TYPES OF LOGGINGTYPES OF LOGGING

Observe the pictures on the following slides and write down a description of what you see in the boxes in your booklet.

Describe what you Describe what you seesee

Describe what you Describe what you seesee

Selective CuttingSelective CuttingHarvesting only

mature trees of the desired size, type and quality

Much less disruptive to the forest environment

Costly process – costs more $$ and takes more time to collect enough trees.

No replanting needed

Shelter Wood LoggingShelter Wood LoggingInvolves clear

cutting only parts of an old growth forest

Groups of seed bearing trees are left behind so that they will regenerate the area. ◦ No replanting is

necessary. Not as efficient,

don’t get as many trees.

The forest will only be partially uniform.

Clear CuttingClear CuttingLoggers remove all

trees◦ The majority of logging

companies use this method.

The area is replantedThe new forest grows

up uniformly (same species, size and age of trees) – makes for easy logging next time

Fastest and cheapest method

Acid RainAcid RainAcid precipitation is caused by

the emissions from factories in the industrial sector.

Acid rain causes injury, slower growth and death in trees. ◦Trees may not grow as fast because

the soil is full of acid which degrades the soil.

◦Leaves and needles will turn brown and eventually fall off.

Pests and DiseasesPests and DiseasesThe amount of forest damaged

every year by pests and diseases is greater than the amount harvested by companies.

Some of the more common pests are tent caterpillars, pine beetles and gypsy moth.

Pests can get inside the bark and eat away at the tree.

Forest FiresForest FiresForest fires are not always a bad

thing. New trees are able to regenerate

quickly in a burned forest.◦The cones from some pine trees are

better able to open with some heat. The fire allows them to do this and this will cause the seeds to fall out of the cones.