The Quebec woodlands in all their diversity
The forest stretches over half of the province, at the heart of the vastness of Canada. These woodlands cover the landscape with extraordinary color, changing with the seasons, and provide natural resources that can be exploited to a certain extent, and with a concern for sustainable development. They are bound to win over any investor ready for the Canadian experience.
There is more than one type of Canadian forest and woodlots in Quebec are similarly diverse.
It all depends on the climate, the biology and the geography of this immense territory (it stretches over 7° latitude and three major bioclimatic zones). The forest environment harbors a wealth of natural resources that the Quebec people have learned to protect while continuing to enjoy these wide open spaces for their recreational and other outdoor pursuits.
Characteristics of the Quebec forest
In the heart of the Canadian forest, which is itself characterized by a huge diversity of species, landscapes and ecosystems, the Quebec woodlots mainly fall within the public domain, particularly the portion located in the boreal forest.
Here 84% of the land belongs to the State. The aim is to reconcile forestry development with conservation. Forestry in Canada has undergone some significant changes since 1990.
The central focus is the sustainable development of forestry resources, a clearly stated objective. In fact, the Quebec – and more generally Canadian – forests have become exemplary models for sustainable development.
The private forests account for 16% of the productive forests in Quebec. Over 134,000 private concerns own a woodlot with a surface area exceeding 4Â hectares. It is also worth noting that 94% of the private forest is productive, compared to just 20% in France! A large portion of it lies in the region of Saint-Laurent.
The private forest is in the hands of almost 135,000 owners and covers 7 million hectares, meaning excellent development opportunities for each owner.
The advantages of the productive woodlots in the south
In the south of Quebec, where the climate is milder and the soil more fertile, the privately-owned productive woodlots benefit from a major asset: their closeness to main urban areas such as Quebec city and Montréal. The dense road network makes it easier to exploit and process wood and provide access to nearby labor pools. That said, the forestry professions could benefit from a more attractive image.
The production of firewood, the Christmas tree culture, the gathering of wild berries and mushrooms and maple products, hunting, fishing and a full range of outdoor pursuits mean that use of the private forests in Quebec is a real source of revenue, and of recreation. Some 30,000 forest owners in Quebec have forest producer status.
The challenge set by the Canadian authorities is to make it possible to live and benefit from the forest while ensuring its durability, thus encouraging its sustainable development.
An investment project in a woodlot in Quebec requires professional advice from specialists in the forest and the territory. The Quebec forest is productive, with buildable land in certain areas and a source of numerous leisure pursuits. It boasts a wealth of assets that Forêt Investissement has carefully identified.
