Forestry or forest management is the scientific practice of planting, caring for, and managing trees until they become fully grown forests for human and environmental benefits. Forests are essential because they act as water catchment areas, prevent global warming, provide natural habitats for birds and animals, and provide humans with natural resources. Thus, people should participate in environmental conservation by protecting existing forests from deforestation and planting more trees for the future. However, planting, caring for and managing forests until they are fully grown and healthy requires expertise that most people lack. People cannot plant trees anywhere without knowledge or a plan and hope to grow healthy and productive forests. Forestry consultation services allow foresters, land managers, and landowners to talk to professionals who understand the essential requirements when creating a forest. Moreover, forestry consultation helps people avoid costly mistakes such as planting the wrong trees for a given climate. Below are a few services offered by forestry consultants:
Conducting a Feasibility Study for the Proposed Forest
The first service people should expect from forestry consultation is professional assistance in establishing or creating forests. Most people do not know what it takes to create a healthy forest and thus require professional assistance. Forestry consultation gives people access to trained and licensed consultants who know what to consider when setting up a forest. For example, people should consider how productive and arable the land is, what type of tree species to plant, insects, diseases, and the likelihood of forest fires. Accounting for these factors ensures people plant trees that can thrive in a given environment to produce healthy forests.
Sustainable Forest Management
Forestry consultation also helps people adopt sustainable forest management practices. Sustainable forest management helps people balance the use of forests for their resources and their preservation. Forestry consultants usually assess their client's needs before suggesting suitable practices to ensure the forest thrives. For instance, people should understand the importance of growing trees until maturity before using them to maximize their value. Forestry consultation also helps people adopt selective logging when felling trees. Selective logging emphasizes systematic tree harvesting rather than felling all the trees in the same period.
Felling License Application
Most states require forest owners and loggers to have a felling license before cutting trees. Thus, people should ensure they understand regulations on forestry to avoid penalties and legal consequences. Forestry consultation allows people to seek professional assistance from experts who understand the requirements and exemptions regarding tree felling. Felling exemptions usually depend on factors such as a forest's location and the type of trees planted. Thus, seeking forestry consultation services ensures all undertaken activities are compliant with applicable laws.
