A tree marker’s skills play a significant role in the decision-making process (when identifying which tree should be removed from your forest during harvest operations). Their decisions can directly influence the long-term economic and ecological integrity of a forest.
Here are some of the advantages of having a forest marked by a qualified tree marker:
- Tree marking identifies to the logger what is to be harvested and what is for sale;
- A qualified marker can mark a forest in a manner that will maintain a healthy forest and work towards ensuring that a new forest of desirable species grows after cutting.
- Not all trees are created equal and a small tree is not always a younger tree. Many of the small trees in a woodlot are small because of their age. However, the size of a tree may also be due to poor genetics, stunted growth or site characteristics. It takes years of experience to tell the difference, and an experienced tree marker can provide this expertise.
- Tree markers can identify the trees in the woodlot that should be retained to provide valuable wildlife habitat and to maintain biodiversity (e.g. cavity trees).
- Tree marking, based on sound forest management principles, will optimize economic return and enhance future timber quality and quantity (to ensure a continuous and predictable supply of timber products and source of revenue); and
- Tree marking done in conjunction with good forestry practices has the capacity to ensure the long-term sustainability of a forest
(Source: Ontario Woodlot Association)