Wood supply challenges in Alberta – Growing more timber is the only sustainable solution

Abstract

The industrial wood supply from public lands is at risk in Alberta from natural disturbances and landbase withdrawals while simultaneously being asked to provide for an increasing timber harvest rate. While maintaining the timber landbase is critical, we believe that the only truly sustainable way of increasing wood supply is by growing more wood. Meeting these wood supply goals will require the application of tree improvement and intensive silviculture programs on the best sites to increase timber productivity, reduce rotation lengths, and close timber supply gaps. In this article, we present the main ideas from a recent Canadian Institute of Forestry – Rocky Mountain Section workshop on wood supply in Alberta and provide what we see as the best path forward to meeting our wood supply goals – growing more timber.