How is our timber Sustainable?
How is our timber Sustainable?
Located in North Queensland, we are a small plantation growing native Australian rainforest timbers. We also selectively salvage timber locally as a part of our sustainable timber supply. Adjacent to the Wet Tropics World heritage area, our plantation is situated on a former dairy farm that we have revegetated for the purpose of timber production but also promoting habitat for native plants and animals.
Growing a plantation of mixed rainforest species that are highly desirable cabinet timbers has delivered both a home for animals and a wonderful selection of sustainble timbers. To date we have planted over 100,000 trees on our property in a species rich mosaic of rainforest trees.
Trees planted on our propety to date
We like to think of our plantation as a rainforest, and that’s what it looks like compared to the desolate pine forests you may have in mind when you hear the word plantation. Timber is harvested on a rotation basis by selecting a small group of trees and then replanting back into the canopy opening. This allows for a completely self-sustaining life cycle of the plantation. Additionally, this minimises habitat destruction and allows the plantation to function as a forest and provide rich habitat.
We also salvage timber from select sources to give trees another life beyond being chipped and heading to landfill. Unfortunately many trees that are removed from urban areas end up downcycled into chip or at the tip. We believe in the mantra ‘salvage first’ which means if timber can be sourced from a salvaged log it is better than coming from a sustainable plantation. When you purchase timbers from us just ask us where it came from; every slab has a story and we can tell you the story of yours!
Paddock > Rainforest, 15 years of change in one part of our property
Paddock > Rainforest, 15 years of change in one part of our property
While sustainable timber is the item we sell, the product is something far greater. The vision of Topaz Sustainable Timbers is to operate a successful business that delivers quality cabinet timbers, whilst simultaneously enabling responsible land management to create rich habitat for the native flora and fauna. To preserve and safeguard the biodiversity of our property into the future, we have voluntarily entered a Nature Refuge conservation agreement to recognise the ecological significance of the land.
Our family has poured our heart and soul into revegetating our property. With historically high land clearing rates in our region and the ever increasing threat of Climate Change we see it as our mission to plant and care for this forest. When we began planting trees, we rarely sighted Cassowaries, but as the plantation forest grows, more and more animals and birds come to visit and make it their home. This is one of the Cassowaries that regularly come to say hello and keep an eye on our work.
Timber is a fantastic and truly renewable product if grown and harvested in a sustainable manner. Our goal is to demonstrate that mixed plantations are a viable solution to creating a truly sustainable resource by embracing the triple bottom line. This means placing greater value on our planets ecosystems and people, instead of just focusing on profit as the bottom line and key indicator of performance.
We live on a planet with finite resources and need to develop more sound business models to cope with growth. We take a holistic approach in the management and operation to achieve desirable outcomes that will ensure longevity for the enterprise and environmental sustainability. Long live sustainable timber!