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   The new forest requires care during the early part of its life to control competing vegetation and ensure successful growth. Young seedlings compete for nutrients and sunlight and, within a few years, conifers in particular tend to be overrun by berries, certain types of maple and birch, and other aggressive species. As with any garden, the site must now be weeded, either manually or through the controlled use of herbicides. When the young forest is no longer under threat from competition, it is surveyed and declared a “free to grow” site. |
 At about 10-15 years old, the trees may be thinned to reduce crowding. At this age, they’re too small to have commercial value, so they’re left to decompose and replenish the soil with nutrients. This is known as juvenile spacing or pre-commercial thinning and, once completed, the forest can be fertilized. Just one application of nitrogen-based fertilizer can increase growth by 25%. By about age 25, the trees may once again be crowding each other. However, with diameters of 25-30 cm, they’re large enough to be taken to a mill and converted to lumber and other wood byproducts. On some sites, this process of commercial thinning is carried out again at age 40 or beyond.  Under the Forest and Range Practices Act, companies must achieve the results described in their Forest Stewardship Plans or face penalties. Compliance and enforcement staff are spread through a number of relevant provincial and federal ministries, and have the power to stop forest operations if there’s an unacceptable risk to non-timber values. An independent Forest Practices Board is responsible for auditing and investigating forest practices and publicly reporting the results. A 2003 study produced by the Board found that forest companies are “doing an excellent job of turning harvested sites into new, healthy forests.” |
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