Forest Life Cycle

Forest Management Life Cycle: the Story of Alberta’s Boreal Forest

Many think that tree harvesting is the last chapter of a forest’s story. In reality, it is only one small part of the forest life cycle and is essential to developing a diverse landscape.

In Alberta, trees mature at 80-100 years. As trees age, they compete for nutrients and become overcrowded. Like every living thing, old trees eventually die from natural causes. Dead trees pile up on the forest floor in unmanaged forests, creating the perfect circumstances for a forest fire to occur.

Although forest fires are a natural part of the forest life cycle, they can affect wildlife and public safety if they become out of control. In an attempt to mitigate forest fires, foresters use sustainable forest management practices.

Forestry is an evolving and innovative sector. Through years of research, foresters can influence a forest’s growth rate by replicating natural disturbances. Planting, harvesting, research, monitoring and controlled burns are tactics that foresters use to imitate the forest life cycle, allowing the forest’s story to continue.

We Incorporate the Forest's Natural Life Cycle into our Practices.

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