Our forests are precious to us. It's important that we nurture our forests so Americans will forever enjoy this renewable resource for recreation, wildlife habitat and clean water as well as wood products we depend on every day. California's forests are watched over and maintained by Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs). Following timber harvesting, catastrophic fires or insect and disease attack, RPFs decide how best to ensure the continued growth of the forest through the replanting of seeds or trees. This is called reforestation. Over 35 million seedlings are planted each year in California; that’s seven trees planted for every one tree harvested. One of the first states in the nation to require licensing of foresters, California by law holds RPFs responsible to nurture our forestlands. Since the passage of California's Professional Foresters Law in 1973, RPFs have used their professional training and experience to guide the stewardship of California forests. This page has been written by Registered Professional Foresters to answer some common questions reforestation of California's forests.
How do you reforest in California ?
One method of reforestation that works well in California is to leave a predetermined number of healthy trees following a harvest to drop seeds
Eventually, new trees grow from the seedlings to fill in the open areas. But if a forest fire kills all the trees or if the forest has diseased or poor quality trees that cannot provide seeds, a young forest can be replanted with seedlings grown in a nursery. Foresters also have the option of using this method of replanting following a harvest. Foresters collect seeds from trees in the same general area where they will be planted as seedlings, to make sure the planted trees are suited to the specific environmental conditions of each forest. A replanted forest grows to resemble natural forests.
Does wildlife use replanted forests ?
Yes. In fact many species of wildlife depend on these young forests for foraging food, nesting or shelter. Although some wildlife use only young forests or only old forests, many use a variety of forest ages and sizes to meet all of their needs. Foresters replant a forest with species of trees native to the area. As the trees grow, wildlife use the size of tree they need for habitat. Without young forests, many species of wildlife would not be able to meet all of their habitat needs.
Are forests replanted or reseeded with just one kind of tree ?
Professional foresters select the species of trees to regrow based on the specific characteristics of the existing forest. They may select a single species of tree or a mix, depending on the natural diversity of the forest. Many forests are naturally made up of one species of tree, which can be the result of past fire patterns, climate, forest region or other environmental factors. Others have a variety of tree species. Variations in the composition of a forest result from a combination of factors, including the soil, climate and both man-caused disturbances, such as fire or harvesting.
Why replant trees when trees grow naturally?
Replanting ensures continued health and growth of those forests which are periodically harvested for timber. It also allows foresters to choose the best species or mix for the forest. Also, replanting helps the forest regrow as soon as possible. Replanting is now a common practice after harvests and wildfire. Forests that aren't replanted after a natural disaster, such as a fire or wind storm, can take decades to re-establish.
Do private landowners have to reforest ?
California's Forest Practice Act of 1973, one of the toughest forest protection laws in the country, requires landowners to reforest their forest lands no later than five years after timber harvesting. RPFs employed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CDF ) can enforce this law with liens on the property, or by court action seeking fines and penalties. The reforestation law and regulations that implement it were developed with the help of professional foresters to protect California's forests.