The Forestry Lifecycle

Harvesting

When trees are fully grown, it is time for the harvest. But how do we decide where the trees go, and how do they get there?

A forester called a timber marketing manager networks with local mills, exporters and other timber buyers to find the best use and price for the trees. Heavy equipment operators from a logging company cut, sort and load the timber onto trucks to be delivered. Then the mill workers, exporters and others transform the timber into its next use.

HARVESTING

TIMBER MARKETING

After a forestry company puts decades of hard work into growing a group of trees, it’s a timber marketing manager’s job to find the best buyer. This individual networks with mills, exporters and other buyers and finds the most value for the logs.

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HARVESTING

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A HARVEST

When it’s time to harvest trees, there’s a lot more to do than simply cut and load the logs. Each forest produces multiple different types of products that will be sent to different facilities. Watch how a logging company sorts it all out.

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HARVESTING

HARVESTING ON STEEP SLOPES

In the Pacific Northwest, many logging operations take place on steep slopes. Special equipment is required to remove the logs in a manner that is safe for both the loggers and the environment. Watch techniques like winch-assisted logging and cable logging to see how it’s done.

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GREEN JOBS IN HARVESTING

Export Manager

An Export Manager understands the product needs of outside markets and oversees the arrangements to export products, including both the shipping logistics and the sale of the products to the end buyer.

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Forest Engineer

Forest engineers design, negotiate and supervise major projects in the forest, including road construction, bridge installations, harvest unit designs, and the development of rock quarries. All this work must be done with the least possible impact on the environment.

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Forest Technician

A Forest Technician manages the forest. Typical responsibilities include monitoring for harmful insects and tree diseases, coordinating reforestation efforts, and calculating sustainable yields of forest trees.

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Forester

Foresters guide decisions and policies for land management. Among job responsibilities, they plant and care for forests, look out for vulnerable wildlife species and protect water quality.

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GIS Manager

A GIS Manager oversees geographic information systems in support of forestry activities. Geographic information is added to software and used to analyze data, make calculations, create maps and more.

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Government Forester

Government foresters manage land owned by the government. They assess forest health, set up timber sales, lead recovery efforts after storms and fires, and more.

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Heavy Equipment Operator

A heavy equipment operator drives or controls a variety of equipment used in harvesting, reforestation, fertilization, forest release spray, or road maintenance.

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Log Truck Driver

A log truck driver transports logs from the forest to the timber buyer, such as a mill. Most forestry related truck driver jobs are in the private and industrial sector and require a high school diploma and a commercial driver's license (CDL).

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Logistics Manager

A logistics manager oversees the transport of logs and lumber products, coordinating the movement of trucks, ships and railcars to ensure products are delivered on time and in good condition.

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Procurement Forester

A procurement forester works for a business, such as a mill, and is responsible to locate and purchase the wood supply needed by the business.

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Timber Marketing Forester

A timber marketing forester works for a timber owner and is focused on the harvest, transport and sale of timber to various buyers. Works with logging crews, timber buyers, mills and other customers.

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The Sustainability Story

Foresters always keep the environment top-of-mind, and that includes when they’re planning a harvest. When there are waterways in the forest, we create buffer zones where we will not harvest in order to protect water quality. If there are threatened or endangered species living in the forest, we will flag their habitats and avoid them. And when we build roads and bridges to reach the timber, we take special care to have as light an impact on the environment as possible.

Learn more about sustainable forestry and the many ways forests contribute to a strong, healthy environment worldwide.

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