Forestry Operations

Between 2002 and 2005, the average age of the eucalyptus wood harvested by Veracel was between 9.6 and 8.4 years old. As of 2005, this average went down to 7.2 years, placing our forestry management as one of the most productive in the world.

Our harvesting operations are fully mechanized and carried out with special care to minimize the impact on the environment. Trees are cut down by special harvester machines and transportation from the interior of the stands is carried out using equipment known as forwarders.

The care that has been adopted includes:

• The avoidance of having harvested trees falling into preservation areas that are near the plantation stands
• The retention in the field of residues of biomass from the harvest (leaves, small branches and bark) as a form of protecting and improving the physical and nutritional characteristics of the soil
• The washing of machinery and equipment on level land that is far from water sources and preservation areas
• The handling and disposal of solid and liquid wastes generated by the operation and maintenance of equipment in compliance with the legislation, in a manner that avoids to avoid soil and water contamination