Forest Products Industry

Metsä Group will construct a demo plant for lignin refining in connection with its Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The equipment will be supplied by technology group ANDRITZ. Construction will begin in Summer 2024, and the demo plant will be completed in late 2025. The plant’s daily capacity will be two tonnes of the lignin product. Source: Timberbiz Lignin is a substance in wood that binds wood fibres together. In pulp production, lignin is separated from the fibres into black liquor in the chemical cycle and used as bioenergy. Lignin could also be used in chemical and material applications. Metsä Group and ANDRITZ will focus on developing the production process of the new lignin product and its integration with the bioproduct mill, as well as the product properties suitable for various end uses. The demo plant project also involves Dow, a leading material science company, which will develop high-performance bio-dispersant plasticizers for concrete and gypsum applications, based on the lignin product produced at the plant. “Our goal is to efficiently use the side streams of pulp production and ensure they produce the greatest possible added value. We want to develop new products made from renewable natural resources that can replace fossil-based raw materials and products,” says Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group. ANDRITZ has been developing lignin recovery and modification technology concepts as part of its initiative to enable pulp mills to convert side streams into value-added products. Kari Tuominen, CEO & President of ANDRITZ Oy, states: “We are thrilled to be able to test this technology in continuous process conditions at the Äänekoski bioproduct mill. In addition to validating markets for the new lignin product, the demo scale gives us valuable insights for integrating the LigniOx process into a bioproduct mill and scaling it up for industrial use.” “At Dow, we are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to innovate and bring more sustainable solutions to the market,” says Raquel Fortes, Global Business Director of Dow Construction Chemicals. “This new technology would further expand Dow’s bio-based product offerings to meet the future needs of the building and construction industry.” In a pilot-scale EU project coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Metsä Group, ANDRITZ and Dow have already demonstrated the suitability of modified lignin as a replacement for fossil-based chemicals in concrete production. The Äänekoski mill area is Metsä Group’s largest, housing a paperboard, veneer and bioproduct mill. Äänekoski is also home to Metsä Group’s demo plants for the Kuura textile fibre and Muoto fibre product.

A team of researchers has unveiled a novel approach to accurately characterizing tree height composition in forests using the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. Sources: The Journal of Remote Sensing, Phys Org This study marks a significant advancement in our understanding of forest ecosystems, shedding light on the intricacies of tree height variability and their implications for ecological studies and climate change mitigation efforts. Tree height composition, a vital ecological attribute, plays a significant role in influencing forest ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, carbon storage, and energy fluxes. Limitations have historically hindered the challenge of accurately mapping this structural diversity in scale and detail. However, the advent of recent advancements in remote sensing technologies, particularly the introduction of the spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology known as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), has opened new pathways for detailed canopy height mapping. Tree height composition, a vital ecological attribute, plays a significant role in influencing forest ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, carbon storage, and energy fluxes. Limitations have historically hindered the challenge of accurately mapping this structural diversity in scale and detail. However, the advent of recent advancements in remote sensing technologies, particularly the introduction of the spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology known as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), has opened new pathways for detailed canopy height mapping. This method allowed for the accurate mapping of tree heights and canopy structures across a spectrum of forest conditions, showcasing the tool’s ability to capture the nuanced details of forest structures, from the towering trees to the dense underbrush. A key innovation of the study was the development of Tree generation based on Asymmetric Generalized Gaussian (TAG) method, which markedly improved the modeling of forest scenes by precisely replicating the physical characteristics of trees within diverse ecosystems. The simulation results confirmed that GEDI waveforms are capable of reflecting complex variations within forest stands, including the differences in tree heights and canopy layer density. This revelation holds profound implications for our understanding of forest structure, providing a fresh perspective on forest biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem processes with a level of detail previously beyond reach. Dr. Yao Zhang, the lead author of the study, emphasized the critical nature of understanding tree height composition in efforts to preserve biodiversity and tackle climate change. “The precision offered by GEDI LiDAR technology,” Dr. Zhang stated, “[it] heralds new possibilities for ecological research and forest management, unveiling the vertical complexity of forests in a manner that was once impossible.” The implications of this research are vast, touching upon ecosystem research, land surface modelling, and climate change studies. By offering a more accurate estimate of aboveground biomass and carbon storage, the findings promise to deepen our understanding of the crucial role forests play in the global carbon cycle, guiding strategies for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Seaman Paper, a global manufacturer of environmentally sustainable specialty paper and packaging solutions, has announced the launch of SeaStretch, a patented lightweight paper-based alternative to single-use plastic stretch film used to wrap and contain shipping and storage loads. Source: Timberbiz Amidst growing concerns about plastic pollution and pending legislation aiming to curb single-use plastics, such as SB 54 in California, which mandates all single-use packaging must be recyclable or compostable by 2032, SeaStretch emerges as a timely and innovative solution. SeaStretch is a fully recyclable, FSC certified, crepe paper solution that is compatible with existing hand-wrapping, semi-automated, and automated pallet wrapping machines. SeaStretch is incredibly lightweight (42 gsm) and incredibly durable, stretchable, and highly resistant to tearing, making it the ideal packaging solution for pallet wrapping. “SeaStretch is a game-changer for the packaging industry, as it offers a viable and cost-effective way to reduce plastic waste while ensuring product safety and security,” said Ken Winterhalter, CEO of Seaman Paper. “We are proud to introduce this innovative and environmentally friendly product to the market, as part of our commitment to creating paper-based, sustainable solutions while further living our motto, ‘People, Paper, Packaging, for a Sustainable World.’” SeaStretch is available in natural kraft and white colors, and in various roll size sand weights to suit different applications and requirements.

In the heart of Devonport, New Zealand, two friends, Nicky Robinson and Kate Moffat, found themselves shivering on the sidelines of their kids’ football games, their feet cold and wet in the muddy terrain. It was amidst these chilly moments that the seed of an idea took root, sprouting into what would become a transformative venture in the realm of sustainable fashion. Source: Timberbiz Marlo, the brainchild of Nicky and Kate, is a brand that epitomises innovation, responsible production, and environmental consciousness within the New Zealand fashion industry. Together, Nicky and Kate have brought to life a gumboot that not only offers protection from the elements but also champions responsible sourcing amidst an industry often marred by supply chains riddled with environmental degradation and social injustice. While the production of natural rubber provides an income for millions of people in developing countries, it can also have negative impacts on forests, communities, and workers when it is not managed responsibly. In some cases, the expansion of rubber production can be a driver of deforestation and forest degradation, including areas of high conservation value. Marlo CEO and co-founder Nicky pointed out another concern, “Most gumboots are made out of various synthetic and petroleum-based materials that make them non-biodegradable, hard to recycle, and highly toxic to the environment as they break down.” In their quest for a more sustainable solution, Nicky and Kate turned to FSC-certified rubber plantations in Sri Lanka. Here, they discovered a pathway that could ensure a supply chain with integrity and verifiable responsible practices. By sourcing rubber from FSC-certified forests, Marlo not only addresses issues like deforestation and biodiversity loss but also uplifts local communities and supports FSC’s rigorous standards of social responsibility. “We aimed to set a new standard with Marlo, acknowledging our customers’ growing concerns regarding the environmental and social impacts of their purchases,” shared Kate Moffat, co-founder of Marlo. “The rubber used in our boots is locally and sustainably sourced from FSC-certified rubber plantations in Sri Lanka, and our manufacturing partner recycles the rubber sheet offcuts, producing jandals, rubber soles, and other rubber footwear to minimize wastage,” added Kate. By ensuring that the rubber in their boots is FSC certified, Marlo provides customers with the assurance that their purchase doesn’t contribute to illegal logging, habitat loss, and poor working conditions. In April, Marlo elevated its dedication to sustainable forestry by becoming a signatory of FSC’s Fashion Forever Green Pact, making it the first New Zealand fashion label to join. Marlo’s FSC-certified gumboots exemplify their efforts to raise industry awareness and combat issues like deforestation and human rights abuses within natural rubber production. By ensuring their supply chain adheres to FSC’s rigorous standards, Marlo confirms that the natural rubber used in their boots is responsibly sourced, safeguarding biodiversity, supporting local communities, and upholding workers’ rights.

Scientists Sarah Addison, Dr Steve Wakelin and Simeon Smaill are among authors who have written an invitation only review article in the scientific journal Trends in Plant Science (TIPS). This journal is highly respected, with articles prioritising and setting the direction of future research in plant sciences globally. Source: Timberbiz Their research paper, titled ‘Partner or perish: Tree microbiomes and climate change’, was led by Ms Addison at Scion. The paper is a collaborative publication between researchers from Scion, Wright State University (Ohio) and the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment at Western Sydney University where Ms Addison is undertaking a PhD. “With an invitation only review article, your work must sit at the forefront of scientific knowledge in the discipline,” Ms Addison said. “TIPS requires you to pitch your idea for a review article as well as your scientific CV. All of these factors are taken on board even before you submit an article for consideration via peer review. “We were ecstatic to get the invitation to submit an article and even more elated when we got the email to say our work would be published. It demonstrates we are at the leading edge of our work in plant-microbiome-environmental interactions.” Their research paper reviewed the current landscape of the complex relationships between plants, their microbiomes and the environmental changes happening with climate change. With the long lifecycle of trees, they might not evolve at a pace that matches the rapid environmental changes that climate change brings. But, like humans and our microbiomes, trees have also evolved with microbiomes. These tree-microbiome relationships have developed over millions of years and have endured through previous cycles of environmental change. It’s hoped these relationships will shed light on how trees can survive in a rapidly changing future. “Climate change has happened before, however the rate of change we are experiencing is unprecedented in recent history,” Ms Addison said. “As trees live for a long time and can’t easily migrate, the plants established today could be stranded in an unsuitable climate. We need new tools to support trees facing change in the future.” Microbiome associations that have been successful in helping trees in the past may be a new tool for establishing resilient, future-proof forests. “It’s about relationships. Ensuring the right relationship between the tree, the microbiome, the soil and the climate.” After reviewing the existing literature surrounding trees and their microbiomes, they identified key gaps that need further research. One of these gaps centres around more research exploring the tree and microbiome as a single entity, or a ‘holobiont’. “We need to shift our perspective from ‘trees and their microbiomes’ to one of a single, co-evolved entity interacting dynamically within and as part of the environment,” Ms Addison said. Not only are these biological systems incredibly diverse, but their relationship within the environment and changing climate has layers of complexity. “Predicting outcomes such as climate resilience, aren’t readily predictable from individual behaviours. We need approaches founded in complex systems science to advance this. We have to embrace the complexity, the systems within systems, integrate scalability, and so on.” Furthermore, the paper explores climate change mitigation with the microbiome altering and evolving to benefit both the tree and the microbiome. This work provides the knowledge to enhance tree adaptability and mitigate adverse impacts of climate change on trees. The literature and understanding that has been unearthed with this review article is currently being explored in the MBIE-funded Tree-root Microbiome Project lead by Dr Wakelin. The main aim of this large collaborative project is to understand how trees and their microbiomes work together and can be used to counter climate change by using Pinus radiata as a model. This research can then be applied to other tree species to help maintain global tree diversity.

An estimated 3000-year-old, three-tonne log has been discovered deep in a Tasmanian forest, with the item expected to fetch a whopping $120-$140,000 by the time it is crafted into furniture and other parts. Due to this scarcity, the three-tonne remains of the Huon pine are believed to have set the record for the most expensive log in the country according to Pulse Tasmania. Sources: Yahoo News, Pulse Tasmania Bronte Booth, the managing director of Timber World who is milling the log on behalf of its current owner, said the salvaged log of Huon pine is one of only a small amount left – its rarity contributing to its immense price. Speaking to 7 Tasmania News, Mr Booth said the pine’s new owners paid around $21,000. “It’s a beautiful timber and it has some really nice properties … it’s durable and it’s also ancient,” he said. “But it’s priceless really because it takes so long to grow.” On the west coast of Tasmania along the King River, Huon pine, which has been around for at least 100 million years, was once harvested commercially in the early 1800s. According to Bronte, the piners would chop the ancient trees down and leave the tops and stumps behind due to them being too heavy for horses to take. These leftover parts have since been salvaged over recent years, with numbers dwindling. The tops and stumps of Huon pine have been found by timber specialists half-buried in the ground along the forest floor near Teepookana plateau and floating in bays since the early harvesting ended, though slowly there are fewer and fewer to be found. “Recently, it’s been exhausted and there are only about eight log trucks left,” Mr Booth said. Due to this scarcity, the three-tonne remains of the Huon pine are believed to have set the record for the most expensive log in the country according to Pulse Tasmania. The tops and stumps of Huon pine have been found by timber specialists half-buried in the ground along the forest floor near Teepookana plateau and floating in bays since the early harvesting ended, though slowly there are fewer and fewer to be found. “Recently, it’s been exhausted and there are only about eight log trucks left,” Mr Booth said.

The future of forestry has been officially unveiled this week at OneFortyOne’s Glencoe Nursery to state and local representatives, following the completion of an $8m redevelopment project for the site. Source: Timberbiz South Australian Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven joined OneFortyOne Board Director Angie Davis and CEO Wendy Norris in officially opening the upgrades on Wednesday morning and witnessing the new state-of-the-art handling systems in action. The three-year redevelopment project includes undercover automated handling lines, new irrigation and ergonomic systems and major infrastructure upgrades, which will improve employee safety and wellbeing at the site. Also in attendance were Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, Rob Robinson, Director of Forest Industries, Department of Primary Industries, Regions, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia Ben Hood and Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub Executive General Manager Tony Wright. South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine and the Australian Forest Products Association CEO Di Hallam also attended the event. OneFortyOne Board Director Angie Davis said the redevelopment demonstrates OneFortyOne’s “commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the future of forestry in the Green Triangle”. “The Glencoe Nursery has been a cornerstone of the region’s forestry operations for 40 years, growing 7.5 million trees annually to support not only OneFortyOne, but other forest growers in the region,” she said. “Innovation and safety are the key drivers of this redevelopment with a new state of the art undercover handling system that enhances seedling growth whilst reducing chemical and water use. “We can now grow an additional 4 million seedlings per season, significantly bolstering our capacity to meet the demand for timber resources in South Australia and beyond.” Ms Davis also commended Nursery Manager Craig Torney, for his long-term vision for the site and for leading the project over the last three years. “The safety and wellbeing of the nursery’s workforce was a major factor in the decision to upgrade the facility, helping enhance the safety of people and making it a better place to work, Ms Davis said. “The infrastructure upgrades are not a replacement for workers but are designed to complement our existing nursery workforce.” Ms Scriven heralded the redevelopments as “significant for the future of the Green Triangle forestry sector”. “This region is the powerhouse of the Australian forest industry with 140 years of innovation and experience in growing and producing world recognised products,” she said. “The Glencoe Nursery, which supports both OneFortyOne and other local growers, is at the very heart of a supply chain which sustains multiple major industries, from construction to plantations and logistics, which, in turn, supports the jobs of thousands of South Australians. “Today, in seeing these new systems in action and streamlining traditional operations, we are seeing the future of our forestry sector – a major economic driver for our state.”

Labor has offered to join the Liberals to find a bipartisan way to boost the Tasmanian forestry industry and head off a repeat of the forest wars. Source: The Mercury The Liberals pledged to release 40,000ha of native forest from 356,000ha set aside as Future Potential Production Forest in 2014. But the plan has the industry concerned that the strategy runs the risk of reigniting the forest wars and return to large-scale protests not seen in more than a decade. Labor leader Dean Winter said Labor was happy to work with the government to find a way ahead for the industry which included boosting local producers. “We need to make sure that industry has the confidence that it needs to go forward and that’s why I’m making sure today that Tasmania and the forest industry know that Tasmanian Labor is strongly supporting the Tasmanian native forest sector and timber mills like this right across Tasmania,” he said. “Our offer to the Tasmanian government and Jeremy Rockliff is that we are prepared to work in a bipartisan way we then going forward around future timber supply. “We don’t want to see the Tasmanian forest wars start again – the last thing that the industry needs is for the forest wars to start again.” Tasmanian Forest Products Association CEO Nick Steel said industry wanted a nuanced approach instead of fresh conflict. “We now have two major parties supporting our industry, providing certainty and confidence for our industry going forward and for the 5500 people that are employed within it,” he said. “We’ve certainly made our position clear in terms of the future potential production forest land, we see it’s better to actually review that 356,000ha as a block, instead of just targeting the production forest, to consider what best land use that may be. “That may be for conservation, that could be in terms of Aboriginal management, or there could be opportunities for productive forestry.” Torenius Timber general manager Matthew Torenius agreed that co-operation was the way forward. “There has been a lot of talk about forestry wars and I think on behalf of the Sawmillers Association, I’d like to say that we’re lovers, not haters. “We don’t want a situation where we have Tasmanians pitted against Tasmanians. “We have a sustainable industry in this state, it should be used to do as much value-adding as we can in this state as possible and provide security of supply within Tasmania so we can look after our furniture makers, our home builders, our backyard project-doers. Former Labor leader Bryan Green, who is running as a candidate for the Legislative Council in Prosser, negotiated a forest peace deal that the Liberals threw out when they came to power in 2014. “I’m very concerned that we’re going to go down the path now of forest wars that set the industry back years. What we need to be thinking about in this industry is consolidating the jobs that we’ve got, ensuring that the contracts are extended and making sure that we don’t export our jobs future to Victoria and other places,” he said. “The wood in Tasmania should be processed in Tasmania and as a result of that the work and communities that survive on that can flourish on into the future.” Liberal MP Felix Ellis denied the his party was were playing politics with forestry. “We need to grow the timber industry in Tasmania because this is a such an exciting industry for a future that is climate constrained, that is carbon constrained. “We know that Labor sadly tried to shut down the timber industry here in Tasmania, destroyed hundreds of jobs and regional communities.”

It’s all a bit gloomy really, daylight savings has finished, lambs and logs are worth bugger all, the media has lost its social license, and the economy is in the cart. No matter who you talk to in the primary and wider sectors, most are facing some significant headwinds in terms of rising costs and reducing sales prices. The days of discussions around the water cooler about what size engine you are putting on your new boat have been replaced by bemoaning about having to sell the boat to recapitalize your business. These discussions are probably no surprise as good old uncle Adrian Orr has allowed inflation to run away over the post covid era and the countries that we supply our wonderful commodities to (primarily China) have had inflation rates that barely register. This means our costs are higher and our customers don’t have the ability to pay more, which all adds up to margin squeeze and, as primary producers, we are the ones facing the squeeziest of it. The state of the China property market is old news now but still incredibly important to our industry. Current Chinese housing starts are back at post GFC 2008 levels which is down 61% from the peak level in 2021. There is a big discrepancy between starts and ‘under construction’ figures which are only down 11% over the same period, something that Goldman Sachs has labelled the ‘completions cliff’. This is explained by the time lag between kicking a project off and completion and does indicate that, once the current builds are finished, the Chinese construction industry will look vastly different. The sentiment of this is playing out in the Iron ore futures markets with a slide that would make Tesla shares look good. What has manifested with global log trade is the reduction in non-NZ log supply into China with Europe and North America significantly reducing deliveries. NZ now has a much larger share of the softwood pie, which is great, but the problem is the pie is now the size of a savory so to keep things in balance we must keep a lid on the amount of mince and cheese we try to shovel into the savory. April export prices are down around $20/m3 from March at approximately $105/m3 and, although not as bad as some have expected, it’s still low enough to see many harvest crews parked up and many of those that are still operating being slowed to minimize the pain. High Chinese port inventory and low demand are the main culprits with increased shipping costs also playing a part. Demand has started to lift post the lunar holiday shutdown and NZ supply will start to reduce both seasonally and in reaction to the lower log prices. In addition, the Gabrielle windthrow salvage in Taupo has slowed and will likely stop in the next few months which will take around 15,000m3 of supply out of the system daily. There is the expectation that we have seen the bottom of the cycle and some very faint glimmer of hope that May will see better pricing levels with softer shipping costs and increased demand, although any increase is likely to be marginal. Fixed term export prices and other averaging based price structures have enabled many forest owners to keep the gates open and this method of pricing is becoming more popular every time we have a price ‘correction’. Domestic sawlog markets continue to tick over and while not breaking any records, they are continuing to hold price and volume. There will likely be some pressure on this market as numbers from Statistics NZ show 2023 dwelling consents were down 26% on 2022 figures. Pruned logs continue to buck the trend in terms of demand and price and have led to a resurgence in demand for pruning which was almost non-existent in the private sector a few years ago. Carbon prices fell off the chair following the govt NZU auction in March and following a bit of a rebound have dipped in recent days to $55/NZU. There’s not much of an appetite from larger emitters to engage at present as most have enough to offset their obligations already and won’t need to re-enter the market for some time. As with any market, the NZU price is a victim of supply and demand economics. So, in summary, April is bad, not as bad as we thought it would be but that’s cold comfort if you’re a forest owner or out-of-work contractor. The market will bounce, as it always does, but this time it may be reminiscent of a half flat Swiss ball, it’ll still bounce but not as high as we would like and will depend on supply levels from NZ. On a positive note, at least we don’t deal in iron ore… Marcus Musson is a Forest360 Director. He holds a Bachelor of Forest Science with Honours from Canterbury University, New Zealand, and specialises in steep slope cable harvesting, marketing and value recovery initiatives.

The Forest Wars (author David Lindenmayer) purports to portray the ‘ugly truth’ about what happens in wood production forests – specifically Victoria’s tall wet forests where the author has concentrated much of his research. Given that wood production in Victoria has now ceased – albeit that the author can’t quite believe it – the book is now a somewhat academic exercise. Presumably, its purpose is to maintain outrage that can aid campaigns that are now focused on ending timber production in NSW and Tasmanian native forests. Perhaps this is why the book appears to have been put together with some urgency. Nevertheless, it is easily readable in a short, sharp, but often simplistic myth-busting style. Unfortunately, it lacks an index which would make it easier to find particular areas of interest. The writing exudes a strident, ‘I’m-the-expert’ tone. While this may be appropriate to areas of the book that address the author’s primary fields of expertise, it can fall flat when the book strays onto topics of which the author has an obviously limited practical understanding. Such topics include fire management, forest carbon, timber harvesting, resource economics, plantations, timber imports, and eco-tourism. In places, the writing is loose with put-downs. The worst is the book’s blatant misrepresentation of Forestry Australia (formerly the Institute of Foresters) as a timber industry body and ‘cheer squad’ when it is in fact a professional association for the nation’s forest scientists, who are collectively the foremost experts on practical forest management. Irrespective of such misconceptions, any book authored by a prominent scientist will – deservedly or not – be automatically anointed with a high level of credibility and trust. However, in this case, any readers expecting a scholarly, balanced and objectively considered analysis are likely to be somewhat disappointed. Instead, the book primarily reads as an exercise in finding arguments to justify the author’s long-standing belief that native forest wood production is exceedingly damaging, unviable, unnecessary, and must end. The book is comprised of 12 chapters, of which eight are specifically devoted to “busting the myths peddled by industry”. Within these eight chapters, a total of 37 “myths” have been nominated, briefly described, and summarily debunked, leading to a short “reality” statement. The problem with this myth-busting approach is that it often ignores important context and dumbs-down the subject matter leading to simple, absolutist ‘realities’ that take no account of the complexities and nuances inherent to native forest management. Unfortunately, many of the book’s so-called “industry myths” are cleverly-worded inventions perhaps designed to divert attention away from important areas of discussion. Others amongst these “industry myths” are bizarre. Indeed, from the perspective of my 45-year career in forest science and field forestry, I can only accept that a couple of the 37 so-called “myths” actually fit that label and find that the book’s supposedly myth-busting statements of “reality” are more often the real myths. Some notable examples of the book’s wrong or spurious ‘realities’ are: Logging increases the risk of high severity fire; Thinning has no effect or may even make fires worse; Only 4% of the biomass in a logged native forest ends up as sawn timber; Native forest logging is value subtracting; Logging is a loss maker; Numbers of jobs in native forest logging are small; and Breaches of Australian logging laws can be widespread. All of these can be shown to be largely false or highly contestable. Largely they have a basis in flawed research featuring the omission of important context, a reliance on wrong or misplaced assumptions, selective use of evidence, or misinterpretation of source references. For example, on the topic of sawn timber percentage, initial errors from early papers have cascaded to deliver a figure that is wrong by at least a magnitude of four. Indeed, some flawed foundation papers have been a subject of formal complaint to the author’s home institution, the ANU Fenner School, as far back as 2015. Unfortunately, countering the book’s glaring deficiencies in these areas is beyond a brief book review. Suffice to say that there are rational explanations, including peer reviewed science, that can counter or cast doubt on virtually all of the book’s many allegations This includes recollections from intimately involved foresters that are at odds with some of the author’s personal anecdotes that demonise timber production, including in relation to the multiple, concurrent activist-led court cases that have crippled the Victorian native forestry sector in recent years. To cite just one example, the book’s frequent allegation that “native forest logging” is financially unviable is based only on the accounts of the government agency that sells logs and the numbers of forestry contractors working to harvest and haul those logs. It inexplicably ignores that this in-forest activity leads to at least 10 times as many jobs.

Outside the forest in log processing and wood products manufacture, and the substantial revenue that this generates. In 2015, when Victoria’s Central Highlands native timber industry was operating with far less interference from eco-activist legal challenges, Deloitte Access Economics valued the whole industry at $0.57 billion per annum. Hardly a “loss making” activity. In keeping with most vilification of ‘native forest logging’, the book credits it with dire environmental consequences that are way out-of-step with the small proportion of public forest that is actually used for timber production. Allegations, such as extinction threats or water yield reduction, must by their nature, be strongly correlated with the extent to which forests and their values are directly exposed to logging. Yet, the book provides no specific details of proportional forest use, even though such information is easily obtainable. As if keenly aware of the potential for this major omission to be levelled against it, the book dances around it by suggesting that logging’s impacts are “about more than simply the proportion of the total forest estate that is logged… It matters what is being logged… places targeted for logging are often the most productive parts of the landscape”. While there is certainly some truth in that, the book’s reluctance to […]