--- title: Harvesting and selling date: 2024-02-22T17:03:00+11:00 author: Private Forests Tasmania canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/harvesting-and-selling" section: Site Content --- 1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/) 2. [Resources](https://pft.tas.gov.au/resources) 3. [Forestry Topics](https://pft.tas.gov.au/forestry-topics) 4. Harvesting and selling # Harvesting and selling A growing industry with opportunities for Tasmanian farmers Harvesting and selling wood supports Australia's timber supply. Demand for wood is growing, driven by the home building and renewables markets. ![Logs](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon300/logs.svg) Create new income streams for your farm with commercial wood production. Harvesting and selling trees can be complex, and there are some added challenges for small-scale forestry operations. But with proper planning, commercial trees can be an attractive option. **Harvest and sell wood to diversify your farm's revenue and support future profitability.** **Did you know?** Around half a million hectares of softwood trees need to be planted in Australia by 2050 for the domestic market. ## Harvesting trees Harvesting trees involves a lot of planning across multiple stages. This includes harvest inspections, legal approvals, clean-up and reforestation. There are three main methods for harvesting trees: ![Plantation 1432 900x600]() #### Clearfelling All, or nearly all, trees are removed from an area during harvesting. ![Forico240822 267]() #### Selective harvesting Trees are chosen for harvest based on their size and quality. The remaining trees are left standing. This results in multi-aged forests and periodic returns. ![IMG 1597]() #### Commercial thinning Trees thinned during [tree management](https://treealliance.com.au/managing-trees) are sold for mid-rotation income. Several thinnings can happen over a plantation's lifecycle. ![IMG 2408]() #### Forest Certification A process that ensures forests (both native and plantation), and the wood products derived from them are managed sustainably providing assurance to consumers and stakeholders. [ Learn more ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/forest-certification) Technologies for harvesting at smaller scales (such as farm forestry) are making their way to Tasmania, but are not yet widely available. Most farmers get support to manage their harvests. Start by discussing your options with a consulting forester. They can manage each stage of the harvest process and help get the best returns from your trees. Learn more about small-scale harvesting, including how a forester can help: [ Appropriate technologies for small-scale forest harvesting ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Appropriate-technologies-for-small-scale-forest-harvesting-operations-in-Tasmania.pdf) [ Why do I need a consulting Forester and how do I choose? ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Selling-your-wood/Why_do_I_need_a_consulting_forester_and_how_do_I_choose_-_V2_Dec_2021_approved.pdf) [ Contractors and contracts: A guide for foresters, landowners and planners ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Harvesting/FINAL-Contractos-and-contracts-a-guide-for-foresters-landowners-and-planners_V2-May-2023.pdf) ## Harvesting native regrowth forests Tasmania's private native regrowth forests have a long history of active management for timber production. For forest health and survival, operations must be carefully designed to suit specific conditions and outcomes. [ Native regrowth forests and biodiversity ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/native-regrowth-forests-and-biodiversity) ## Selling wood When marketing and selling wood, you can either connect with buyers directly or go through a broker. There are four main types of buyer in Tasmania: - Industrial forestry companies - Independent management or broker companies - Sawmillers - Harvesting contractors. Selling timber involves multiple stages. This is likely to include: ![Magnify](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/magnify.svg) #### Negotiations Negotiations with potential buyers to agree on grades, quantities, prices and timing ![List](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/list-teal.svg) #### Planning Conduct forest inspections, estimate volume and potential returns, consider infrastructure and potential issues ![Certificate](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/certificate-teal.svg) #### Purchase agreements Agree on the terms of sale and finalise contracts ![Plan](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/book-open.svg) #### Forest Practices Plan Prepare and complete a [Forest Practices Plan](https://treealliance.com.au/the-law) with the help of Forest Practices Officer ![Contractor](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/worker-cap.svg) #### Contractors Plan for and arrange harvest contractors, and agree on rates for the work ![harvesting](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/excavator.svg) #### Harvesting and haulage Conduct the harvest and supply the products in line with the sales contract terms ![reforestation](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon/line-of-trees.svg) #### Post-harvest care Plan and complete reforestation activities at the harvest site, including monitoring forest health Find guides about selling wood, including how to find potential buyers: [ How to sell wood from your private forests ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Selling-your-wood/How_to_Sell_Wood_from_your_Private_Forests_V2_Dec_2021_approved.pdf) [ Marketing and harvesting – Small Volumes of Minor Species and High Value Timbers from Private Forests ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Marketing-and-Harvesting-small-volumes-of-minor-species-and-high-value-timber-from-private-forests.pdf) [ Download fact sheet: Harvesting and selling ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/9613-GWS-Fact-Sheet-2-Getting-ready-to-harvest-HiRes.pdf) ## Markets and end uses Before finding a buyer, take time to research your available markets. Maximise your income from trees by understanding your product and the available markets in Tasmania. [ Economic benefits and markets ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/economic-benefits-and-markets) ### Growing the future: Harvesting and selling ### CSAW (Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood) ### Active management of private native regrowth forests for financial benefits ### Active management of private native regrowth forests for thinning ## Browse topics [ #### Plantation planning Early planning is the path to a plantation that works for you ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/plantation-planning) [ #### Species, sites and planning Plant the right tree in the right place ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/species-sites-and-planning) [ #### Managing trees Timely management means your plantation will be healthy and productive ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/managing-trees) [ #### Harvesting and selling A growing industry with opportunities for Tasmanian farmers ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/harvesting-and-selling) [ #### On-farm benefits Trees increase farm productivity and create more sustainable operations ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/on-farm-benefits) [ #### Economic benefits and markets Diversify your income and increase your farm’s natural capital ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/economic-benefits-and-markets) [ #### Carbon benefits Trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it as wood ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/carbon-benefits) [ #### Native regrowth forests and biodiversity Native trees benefit Tasmania's ecosystems and communities ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/native-regrowth-forests-and-biodiversity) [ #### Indigenous land management Indigenous land management is part of Caring for Country ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/indigenous-land-management) [ #### The law Forest operations are regulated in Tasmania, including on private land ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/the-law)