Public & Private Values
Public Benefits from Private Forest Land
BC's private forest land contributes about $400 million annually to all levels of government.
The harvest from BC's private forest lands averages about 10 per cent of the total volume of timber cut in the province each year. Timber harvests tend to fluctuate as landowners respond to market opportunities. For example, timber harvests over the past 10 years have ranged from 6 million to 9 million cubic metres annually. The public enjoys social and environmental benefits of privately managed forest lands. These include recreation, viewscapes, tourism, wildlife, water quality, fish habitat and carbon sinks.
It has been calculated that the 75 million trees planted on MF land since 2003, will absorb 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year – equivalent to 180,000 cars. Products of the forest can be sold in local, national and international markets based on supply and demand. Trees are processed into wood products, pulp and paper. The forest also offers Christmas trees, berries, plants, and other products. Consumers include individuals, value-added manufacturers, florists, food processors and home builders.
Private Forest Land Ownership
Managed forest owners are leaders in forest research and innovation. Many innovative harvesting and silviculture practices such as fertilization, pruning, commercial thinning, and helicopter logging to protect sensitive soils, were pioneered on private forest land. Landowners spend more time on silviculture activities (such as planting, fertilization, spacing, thinning and pruning), road maintenance and planning than they do harvesting trees. With the harvest comes the realization of many years of care and investment in the trees. The cycle from planting to harvest spans generations taking up to hundreds of years.
Following the harvest of the trees, Managed Forest owners must reforest their land promptly - this meets both a legal requirement and makes economic sense to get the next crop in early. The freedom to manage and innovate on private forest land is critical to fostering an environment for continued investment in our forests.