Does Sustainable Timber Tasmania manage native and plantation forests differently?

A closer look

Sustainable Timber Tasmania manages native forests and plantation forests very differently.

With native forests, there is a strong focus on maintaining flora and fauna biodiversity, both before and after harvesting.

Native forests consist of understorey and tree species native to Tasmania and includes mature, regrowth and regenerated forests.

When areas of native forests are harvested (felled) they are regenerated to native forest by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

86% of the forests managed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania are native forests.

Plantation forests can be softwood (pine trees) or hardwood (eucalyptus trees). They are often planted in rows and are managed similarly to a farm crop.

Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s hardwood plantations generate timber suitable for manufacturing quality veneer or sawn timbers and engineered wood products.

Once plantation forests are harvested (felled) they are usually replanted as plantations.

14% of Sustainable Timber Tasmania forests are plantations: 4% are managed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania and 10% are owned and managed by other forestry businesses.

This dual approach to managing native forests and plantation forests fosters sustainability, enhances biodiversity, optimises diversity of wood products and supports community well-being.