Stage One:
Young Forest
Stage Two:
Growing Forest
Stage Three:
Mature Forest
WhitecourtGrande PrairieSlave LakeAthabascaCochrane

Legend

  • 360° Forest Tour
  • Visit the Demonstration Forests

Forests provide different benefits at different stages of maturity.

Younger trees capture carbon at a greater rate than mature forests. Some animals thrive best in established forests, while others do best in younger ones. Some species even prefer areas that have been recently harvested or burned. The key to making our forests the best they can be is helping to maintain a healthy balance of different tree species and ages across the province.

Stage One:
Young Forest

Where sections of older forest have burned or been harvested, a young forest has room to emerge. In the case of harvesting, Alberta’s forestry companies are required to replant the area with a similar mix of trees and help the new forest establish itself. Young forests are open enough for sun-loving plants to grow in, and those plants are a food source for iconic Alberta wildlife.

Stage Two:
Growing Forest

The middle stage of a forest’s life is the longest – over the course of this stage, the forest continues to mature and evolve. Trees reach the prime of their life, and the mixture of cover and open space attracts a new host of plants and animals. A complex natural ecosystem emerges, and the forest becomes self-sustaining.

Stage Three:
Mature Forest

The trees in mature boreal forests have reached full size and are densely packed together. Large amounts of carbon are stored in mature forests, and they’re key to the survival of wildlife species like caribou. Trees at this stage start to be more susceptible to fire, disease and insect infestations, though, and most Alberta trees have a maximum lifespan of 150 years under ideal conditions. Without strategic forest management, historical fire patterns show that most Alberta forests would burn every 50-100 years.

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Learn: Forest Management Planning

Planning 200 Years Ahead

Before a single tree is cut, forestry companies prepare a 200-year plan. The plan takes about six years to prepare and is re-evaluated every ten years to make any necessary adjustments.

The plans start with an environmental assessment of the area, including water sources, wildlife habitats, tree species, ages and quantities, soil quality and other important considerations. The details of the harvest are planned to maintain essential features of the site and set the stage for successful regeneration.

  • Alberta Vegetation Inventory includes the different types and condition of forest vegetation, including species of trees, shrubs and other flora.
  • Parks and Roads considers the spatial efficiency for harvesting trees around our parks and roads.
  • Wildlife and water includes the bodies of water and the wildlife species, their habitat conditions, migratory patterns, and other factors in ensuring their populations remain healthy.
  • Fire and Buffer Zones includes the strategic harvesting that prevents wildfires in relation to harvest blocks, buffer zones, mountain pine beetles, and more.
  • Indigenous Values includes consideration of sacred sites for activities like hunting, trapping, medicine gathering, and spiritual practices.

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