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In the early days of logging, loggers would cut down the trees with hand-saws and axes and would then float the logs down near-by rivers to coastal mills and shipyards. Many loggers and shipbuilders lost their jobs when iron steamships were invented and many craftsmen left the province to find work in Ontario and the eastern United States. After World War II (1945), the pulp and paper industries expanded and produced a larger market for logging once again. In the 1950's many careers in Forestry began when young boys gathered firewood. Eventually, the same young men paid wood lot owners for the use of their land. They would spend their days cutting down the timber with hand-held axes. They then took the trees out to the main road and used horses to haul the wood through the rough terrain. They would sell the wood in markets and various other places. In the 1960's the lumber industry was revived when the Canadian Government offered loans to new businesses. Because 90% of New Brunswick is covered in forest the Forestry Industry is an important part of their diverse economy.
Loggers use chainsaws to cut down trees. While in the past they used rivers and waterways to transport felled trees to the mills, they now use helicopters, cranes and large trucks. In order to conserve tree consumption, New Brunswick has created a limit of allowable cut trees in a year. Seven million cubic meters of softwood lumber is permitted and only 3.9 million cubic meters of hardwood is permitted to be cut per annum. The New Brunswick Forest Products Association thrives to meet several objectives including: Advancing the education of its members and the general public by distribution of information respecting the forest industry and its products. Because of these objectives New Brunswick is considered to be 'a North American leader in Forest Management'. Paper is made from a mixture of water, cellulose wood fibres and a wood extract called lignin which binds the fibres together. This mixture is called wood pulp. Pulp mills are a major part of New Brunswick's economy and contributes 8.6% (2.5 million tons) of Canada's total production. The Forestry industry is New Brunswick's largest and most profitable industry. Some Forestry statistics include Resource Bases, Productive Forest Ownership, Forest Species, Annual Allowable Cut and Harvest as well as New Brunswick's industry compared to Canada. Click here to view statistics. Note that to return to our site you must click the "back" button on your browser. Enjoy!
Forest fire hazards are increasing and everyone is encouraged to be extra cautious when burning any sort of material. High temperatures, strong winds and dry vegetation have been factors in the 213 hectares that have been burnt so far this year.
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Today, new technology and machines allow workers to cut more, creating an economic boom in the forestry industry. Spruce, Balsam Fir, Pine, Maple and Birch are some of the many trees found in New Brunswick.