TIMBER BRANCH 



IN general terms, Timber Branch is responsible for sustaining the productiveness 

 of provincial forests for a variety of users, and for the orderly harvesting from 

 Crown lands. The Branch is divided into three Sections, the specific functions of 

 which are given below: 



REFORESTATION SECTION 



1. Tree Production and Distribution: This unit is responsible for the production 

 of planting stock, control and distribution of planting stock, for both Private 

 and Crown Land; the acquisition, treatment, storage and distribution of tree 

 seed, the establishment of seed production plots and for nursery soil 

 management. 



2. Agreement Forest Administration: This unit administers the management 

 agreements which the Minister has made under Section 2 of The Forestry Act. 

 It also assists and advises field staff and municipalities in matters relating to 

 the conservation of trees and other matters under The Trees Act. 



3. Private Land Forestry: This unit provides forestry service to organizations 

 and individuals interested in reforestation, woodlot management, and conser- 

 vation. New legislation has been introduced to broaden the service to include 

 assistance in tree planting and woodlot improvement. 



SILIVICULTURE SECTION 



1. Forest Resources Inventory: This includes the contracting for revision 

 photography, in accordance with the approved ten-year schedule as shown on 

 map, Page 267; the necessary field sampling, photo-interpretation, map 

 revision and compilation of inventory reports and maps for Crown Manage- 

 ment Units. As well, checks of Company Management Unit inventory data 

 are carried out. Supplementary assignments include the determination of 

 productive and unproductive areas on timber licences and for purposes of 

 levying Provincial Land Tax, the preparation of contour plans, and the sale 

 of maps and photographs from the Department Air Photo Library. 



2. Management Planning: This unit is concerned with the overall supervision 

 of the preparation of management plans for Crown Management Units, 

 Agreement, and Nursery Forests, which are prepared by foresters in the 

 Districts; the prior examination of, and recommending on all management 

 plans — both for Crown and Company Management Units — for approval by 

 the Minister; the preparation of necessary Planning Manuals and Volume 

 Tables; the calculation of available allowable cuts in areas of interest for 

 purposes of considering the establishment of new industry. This unit also 

 supervises the construction of access roads on Crown lands. 



3. Silvicultural Operations: The major function of this unit is the technical and 

 administrative direction of the regeneration and stand improvement programs 

 carried out on Crown lands in the Province. The regeneration work, though 

 mostly concerned with areas recently cut over or burned, is also concerned 



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