44 | FORESTRY Forest Management Group - Nelson & Marlborough T T Kelly Deeks Making the most of the trees... Forest Management Group’s team handles the entire process, from resource consents to planting and long-term management. “We help landowners identify the right tree for the right place.” Forest Management Group is helping farmers, landowners, and forestry investors across the top of the South Island to diversify their income, strengthen environmental resilience, and position their forests to meet future market demand. Director and Marlborough regional manager Warwick Winn says the company’s services cover the full forestry cycle – from establishment and native regeneration to pruning, harvesting, and marketing – as well as specialist advice on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and carbon opportunities. “We help landowners identify the right tree for the right place,” he says. “For erosion-prone areas, that might mean trees registered in the ETS to generate passive income while stabilising the hillside. On other blocks, it might mean establishing a productive forest where the land is less viable for farming.” Forest Management Group’s team handles the entire process, from resource consents to planting and long-term management. Its expertise ensures new forests meet the needs of both the land and the market, whether for timber production, carbon credits, or environmental outcomes. Pruning is one area where expert advice pays off, Warwick says. Properly pruned logs can achieve significantly higher prices and offer market resilience, particularly in times of export fluctuation. “We make sure pruning is done at the right time and on the right trees so the investment adds real value at harvest,” he says. The Nelson and Marlborough operation currently manages more than 8000 hectares of forest, with clients ranging from large forestry companies and iwi organisations to owners of small blocks. The company also manages native regeneration projects on land that is eligible for the ETS, allowing owners to earn carbon credits from existing native cover without needing to destock entirely. When it comes to harvesting, Warwick says Forest Management Group’s focus is on maximising returns while keeping costs under control. “We choose the best contractors for the job, make sure infrastructure is built cost-effectively, and target the highest-value markets for each log grade,” he says. Strong relationships with both export partners and domestic processors mean the company can optimise value and spread risk across multiple markets. Residue management is also a growing part of the operation. Working with contractors such as MG Contracting, Forest Management Group is helping to find uses for slash left after harvesting, including chipping it for boiler fuel or roading material. “It’s one more step towards a circular economy,” Warwick says. While the weather has challenged the sector recently – with the upper South Island hit by several severe rain events – the company has been busy salvaging wind-thrown timber, repairing access roads, and keeping planting programmes on track. On the market front, export log prices have edged up in recent months, with stronger demand from China and Korea for A-grade and pruned logs, and a steady domestic demand continuing across the top of the South Island across most log grades. Meanwhile, ETS prices have lifted slightly, trading around $57–$59 per NZU, with supply tight after recent auction failures. For Warwick, the real reward is seeing landowners build value for the long term. “We’re here to make sure every decision – from planting to harvest – is the right one for the land, the market, and the owner’s future,” he says. • Grape Planting • Exotic Planting • Native Planting • Release Spraying • Silviculture Specialists in: Proudly Supporting Forest Management Nelson & Marlborough 027 449 1409 Angus Phillips contact@apcontracting.co.nz SUPPORTING FORESTRY COMPANIES AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE REGION SPECIALISING IN CONTACT US • ALL ASPECTS OF SILVICULTURE FORESTRY AND PEST CONTROL • WILDING PINE • WEED CONTROL • ANY CHAINSAW WORK 027 5333 840 mhpearless@gmail.com 51A Lord Auckland Road, Wakefield 7025
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