What Is Sustainable Tree Management?

Native forests are dynamic in nature. We should not think of them as static and that their values are locked and protected forever. You need to have an active and adaptive approach to managing and balancing native forest values. This is what you will learn in the sustainable tree management process.

What it aims is to conserve and restore forests so that they can prolong their life. It is achievable only when you apply active management practices like harvesting timber and also encouraging healthy forest growth.

To practice sustainable tree management, there are mainly six top techniques that focus on enabling forest health, wood production, wildlife, aesthetics and bushfire mitigation. You will also know tools and techniques used in monitoring and evaluating forests.

1. Fire prescription
   To enable sustainable forest regeneration, you have to initiate controlled use of fire. The practice has been in use for thousands of years, especially in Australia. Light fires enable natural habitat, boost biodiversity and also reduce forest fuel. This practice also acts as a tool to protect people, property and forests from extreme fires.
   
   
2. Forest thinning and pruning
   Strategic removal of some trees enables healthy and steady growth of remaining trees. Tree pruning and thinning reduce issues like slow growth and poor growth. They also improve the quality of the timber stand. Removing particular species will help to reduce the density of the forest, increase water yield and reduce drought stress for a forest.
   
   
   There are other benefits you can get by thinning like healthy undergrowth and the soil will also have a high amount of organic matter. You can minimise soil erosion and promote good water quality for the trees.
   
   
3. Harvesting timber
   Harvesting timber means selecting trees that have reached their maximum growth and then cutting and harvesting them. The process will leave behind a mix of healthy growing trees and promote mixed-age habitat.
   
   
   Once the over-grown trees are cut, the process is followed by replanting and regeneration of land and enabling new trees to grow. You can make a forest last forever by using proven regeneration methods. You can use the harvested timber for many purposes like making furniture and selling to timber traders.
   
   
4. Replanting and regeneration
   One of the essential parts of sustainable tree management is replanting and regeneration. For instance, if after a wildfire, you can salvage many damaged trees of timber by clearing space for new regrowth and planting new seedlings.
   
   
   After a major bushfire, you have to inspect the place and salvage the trees that are burnt and promote replanting and regeneration so that the entire burnt area will see the forest's evolution.
   
   
5. Increasing the awareness of forest
   You can protect the forest by educating forest owners regarding the forests and their needs. You have to let them know about the ways, tools and techniques to sustainably manage and grow forests. Forest education should be considered in the highest regard and let the owners read a wealth of articles regarding effective forest management.
   
   
   You can find these sources from Forestry Australia, etc., which are great tools for educators and students. Also, many universities and colleges offer free courses on forest-related things so everyone can understand the significance and importance of the industry. 
   
   
6. Evaluation of forest and monitoring
   The inspection and evaluation of the forest is important for the forest's healthy growth. You have to monitor forests for ecological, economic and social values to promote productivity and recovery after bush fires. Forest experts use techniques like remote sensing, GIS, spatial modelling, biometrics and ground measurement techniques to evaluate forests. The data collected by these methods is used for the research to develop private native forestry plans.

Final Thoughts

By learning about sustainable tree management, you can preserve forest wealth and give a healthy environment to future generations. You can also provide timber abundantly without cutting trees in the forest unnecessarily. Forest authorities and whoever is involved with the forest should have ample knowledge about forest preservation and regeneration so that the place covered by the forest remains as it is for many years to come.

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