Forest Terminology Explained

Glossary

While undertaking research, you or your students may come across some terms that may need explaining, so we have made it easy for you below. 

*FURTHER INFORMATION: The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (ABARES) has produced an "Australia's forests and forestry glossary" (2020) found here -
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/forestsaustralia/glossary

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A

Adaptation

Modifications in living organisms over time that allow them to function better in their environment.

Agriculture

The practice of farming, including cultivation of land for growing crops and livestock production.

Agroforestry

Combination of timber production & agriculture on the same land. Farming activities are undertaken between widely spaced trees usually cultivated for timber, firewood and/or fodder.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants. These plants produce seeds enclosed in an ovary.

Aspect

The compass direction towards which a slope faces, for example south-west.

Association

A grouping of plants that have similar growing requirements, and are often dominated by one or more species for which they are characterised.

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B

Backburning

A bushfire preventative technique that involves lighting a controlled fire at a safe point to burn back towards the front of the bushfire. Also see bushfire, controlled burning, wildfire.

Basal area (BA)

The cross-sectional area of a tree at breast height (1.3m) expressed in square metres (m2). It's a tool used to calculate sustainable timber yield.

Biodegradable

Material capable of being decomposed e.g. wood.

Biodiversity

The genetic variety of life forms and their ecosystems. Comprises genetic diversity (within species), species diversity (between species) and ecosystem diversity. Also see ecosystem.

Bole

The tree trunk from the ground to the crown break. The bole doesn't include major branches supporting the tree crown, and may/not be straight.

Bolewood

Section of the bole that is utilizable for a commercial product and is cut square at both ends to be made ready for delivery for processing.

Breast height

1.3m above the ground. This is the standard height at which a tree diameter is measured. Also see basal area, DBH.

Broadleaf forests

The general description of forests composed principally of trees and shrubs of the botanical group of flowering species which is in contrast to conifers or pines.

Bushfire

A wildfire burning through bushland such as a State forest. Also see wildfire.

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C

Cable logging

Logging method based on a skyline wire cable system, used where slopes are too steep for conventional logging machinery.

Canopy

The uppermost level of foliage formed by the branches and leaves of a tree.

Capacity

The ability to apply knowledge in problem solving processes and innovate to create change.

Captive carbon

Once C02 has been used by a plant the carbon will stay captive (or stored) in the plant until it decomposes, is burnt or breaks down.

Carbon

An element contained in all organic molecules.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A molecule made up of one carbon atom joined to two oxygen atoms. It is a major gas in the Earth's atmosphere. Also see greenhouse gases.

Carbon sequestration

The removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere into natural or man made reservoirs, including forests and wood products.

Catchment area

A drainage area in the landscape that is the source of water for a river or reservoir. Also see drainage line.

Cellulose

A large molecule made up of glucose units produced naturally by plants. It provides strength to plant cell walls.

Chlorophyll

The pigment that gives plants their green colouring. It is required for the absorption of light during photosynthesis.

Clearfelling

The lopping and removal of all or most of the tree cover and associated understorey from a forested or vegetated area.

Clearing

An area where all or most of the tree cover & associated understorey have been removed & the land use changed eg. for agriculture or urban & industrial development.

Closed forest

A forest with a canopy cover of greater than 70 per cent.

Code of forest practice

Legislated rules designed to ensure that commercial timber growing & harvesting is conducted with the environmental values of a forest in mind.

Community (ecological)

An ecological unit composed of a group of organisms or a population of different species occupying a particular area usually interacting with each other and their environment.

Community (social)

A group of people who live near each other, share common interests, needs and sets of services.

Cone

The fruit of coniferous trees that contains the seeds of the plant. Also see conifers.

Conifers

Evergreen trees and shrubs of the botancial group gymnosperms. These plants produce naked seeds usually in cones.

Conservation

The management of the natural environment to ensure its survival. A term covering preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilisation, restoration & enhancement of the environment.

Conservation for sustainable development

Sustainable development takes account of social & ecological, as well as economic factors & the long & short term advantages & disadvantages of alternative actions.

Controlled burning

See hazard reduction burning, backburning, fuel reduction burning, post-logging burning, prescribed burning.

Copice

Regrowth that grows from dormant buds under the bark of tree stumps after the tree has been felled. Eucalypts will copice. Also see lignotuber.

Coupe

A small area of forest within a compartment that is harvested in a single operation.

Crown

The top of a tree or group of trees. The leaves and living branches of a tree. Also see canopy.

Crown cover

The area covered by the crowns of trees growing closely together, often expressed as a percentage for the combined crown cover of trees in a defined area.

Crown timber lands

Public land for which a jurisdiction maintains the timber rights. For example Forests NSW, Vic Forests.

Cultural heritage

Encompasses the qualities & attributes of places that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social value for past, present or future generations.

Cypress pine forest

Softwood conifer forests found in dryer regions of Australia.

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D

DBH

Abbreviation for the diameter of a tree at breast height (1.3 metres above ground level). Also see basal area.

Deciduous

Plants that shed their leaves annually.

Decomposer

Name for organisms that break down dead and decaying organisms in the process of decomposition.

Deforestation

Clearing of forested areas. Also see clearing, reforestation.

Dicotyledons (dicots)

One of the two sub classes of flowering plants. There are two (di) cotyledons, or seed leaves, present in the seeds of these plants.

Dieback

The eventual death of trees from environmental stresses, such as pest attack, exposure to fungal disease, increasing soil salinity & human-induced changes.

DNA (Deoxy Ribonucleic Acid)

Spiral chains (double helix) of nucleic acids, joined in pairs that form chromosomes, responsible for carrying the genetic makeup of an organism.

Drainage line

A discernible natural depression along which surface water runoff concentrates and flows towards a stream, drainage plain or swamp. Also see filter strip.

Dry sclerophyll forests

Open forests that are found in drier regions, well adapted to fire and low moisture. Leaves are hard textured with fewer pores to minimise water loss.

Dryland salinity

Accumulation of salt in soil and water of non-irrigated areas; caused by clearing trees and vegetation on outflow zones for saline water tables.

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E

Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM)

Is the guiding philosophy for forest conservation and management.

Ecosystem

Any biological community and its non-living environment, including all the plants and animals in an area together with the air, land and water with which they interact.

Ecotourism

Nature-based tourism which is ecologically sustainable.

Ephemeral stream

A watercourse which flows infrequently.

Epicormic growth

Eucalypts are adapted to respond quickly and grow after fire. This growth occurs from epicormic buds that normally lie dormant under the bark until triggered by a fire event.

Eucalyptus

A botanical genus (Eucalyptus) of plants, made up of about 700 species; the most important genus of Australian forest trees.

Exotic

An introduced species, especially one which is not of Australian origin. Also see Pinus radiata.

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F

Farm forestry

Commercial tree production on farmland. Also see agriculture, joint venture.

Fauna

The animal life of a region.

Feller buncher

A logging machine that fells trees, de-branches, cuts to length and groups them ready to be removed with a forwarder or skidder.

Feral animal

Wild exotic animal. Usually refers to introduced animal species, like foxes, cats and pigs, in Australia.

Filter strip

A strip of permanent retained vegetation, 10-50 metres wide, along each side of a drainage line or bank of stream or river for retarding the flow of runoff water.

Fire

The active principle of burning or combustion.

Fire regime

The fire history or strategy of particular place including the frequency, intensity and season of burning.

Flitch

A longitudinal board of timber cut on two or more sides from a log or tree trunk.

Flora

The plant life of a region.

Forest

An area of land greater than 0.5ha in size, with trees higher than 2 metres and a canopy cover of more than 20 percent; or where trees will mature to these thresholds.

Forest products

Raw materials from forests, including timber, timber products and other forest materials (such as rock, stone, clay, sand, gravel).

Forester

A forester is a professional person who uses scientific principles to manage forests, engaging in a variety of activities including timber harvesting and wildlife conservation.

Fuel load

The amount of fuel available for burning.

Fuel reduction burning

See controlled burning.

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G

Genus

Scientific class of living things, uniquely named to group species that are very similar to one another and closely related. A sub-division of a family or subfamily.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer information technology which stores, analyses and displays geographic data.

Global warming

The expected consequence of an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases by human activity (see greenhouse gases).

Greenhouse effect

Warming of the Earth's surface due to increases in radiated energy trapped by higher levels of atmospheric gases, including carbon dioxide, due primarily to the combustion of fossil fuels.

Greenhouse gases

Atmospheric gases that enhance the natural greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour.

Group selection

Logging process where small groups of mature trees are removed at regular intervals (cutting cycles).

Gymnosperms

Non-flowering plants. Seeds not enclosed in an ovary, enclosed in a cone. See cypress, Pinus radiata.

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H

Habitat

The native environment where an animal or plant naturally lives or grows.

Hardwood

Tree species that have hard and dense wood, and include the eucalypts. Timber from natural hardwood forests is frequently used in hardwood flooring and furniture.

Harvesting

The felling of trees, either as a group selection operation or a thinning or a clearfelling operation.

Hazard reduction burning

Burning of accumulated fuels to reduce fire fuel & thereby reduce the risk and impact of wild-fire.

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I

Integrated harvesting

Removal of more than one product from a forest at the same time, for example both large sawlogs and pulpwood. See harvesting.

Inventory

The process and product of a survey that assesses a resource. May also be termed forest inventory, stand inventory or plantation inventory.

Irrigation salinity

Accumulation of salts in the soil.

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J

Joint venture

In agroforestry, it is typically an enterprise where the farmer provides land and routine maintenance of a stand, while an investor or forest company provide the trees, expertise and marketing opportunities.

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L

Land capability

The ability of the land to sustain a type and intensity of use without permanent damage.

Landing

A selected or prepared area to which logs are hauled for sorting, processing, loading or stockpiling.

Leaf

Part of a plant which grows from the stem, makes up the plant's foliage. Photosynthetic organ.

Leaf litter

Mixture of fallen and dead plant material on the forest floor, made up of leaves, bark, stems and branches.

Lignin

An organic carbon compound found in cell walls of plants. It helps conduct water in living trees and provides structural strength.

Lignotuber

Swollen underground root structure developed by most eucalypts, capable of sprouting new shoots if the tree is damaged. Also see copice.

Log

To cut trees into logs; to cut down trees for timber; a portion of cut tree trunk or branch.

Log landing

Area where logs are accumulated prior to loading on trucks. See landing.

Logging

The process of cutting down trees for wood. Also see harvesting.

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M

Mallee

Dwarf forms of eucalypts that have several stems which grow above ground level from a lignotuber, and generally grow up to ten metres high and on shallow infertile soils.

Monocotyledons (monocots)

One of the two sub classes of flowering plants. There is one (mono) cotyledon or seed leaf present in the seeds of these plants.

Monoculture

One type or species of plant cultivated in an area, for example plantations of a single species of tree.

Multiple use forest management

Forest management of an area for a balanced range of different uses such as wood production, recreation, water catchment protection and flora & fauna preservation.

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N

National parks

Public forests under management of the federal government where harvesting is excluded. Recreation and biodiversity conservation are the primary goals.

Natural resource

These are materials that are obtained from the earth for use by man. For example minerals and forests.

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O

Old growth forest

Forests in which the upper stratum is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, road building and clearing.

Open forest

A forest with a canopy cover of between 30 and 70 per cent.

Open woodland

Lightly wooded country, with tree canopy covering an average of less than 10 per cent of the area.

Outrow

A row of trees felled in a plantation in order to allow travel of processing, snigging or forwarding machinery in the performance of their functions.

Overmature trees

Trees which are well beyond the age of full development and are no longer producing a net growth of wood due to a decline in vigour and health and an increase in decay.

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P

Parasites

Organisms which obtain their nutrients by feeding off other organisms.

Phloem

Part of the plant vascular system where sugars are transported around the parts of a plant.

Photosynthesis

The chemical reaction in green plants that uses carbon dioxide, water and sunlight to produce food (glucose).

Pine

Any member of the genus Pinus. An evergreen coniferous tree.

Pinus radiata

One species of the genus Pinus. A coniferous tree, native to California. The major source of softwood timber grown in Australia.

Plantation

A forest established by man through planting seedlings or seeds of exotic or native species. They are typically characterised by straight lines and even-aged stands of trees.

Post-logging burning

A forest management technique practiced to remove logging debris that could fuel a bushfire. It also stimulates regeneration in the logged area.

Prescribed burning

Similar to hazard reduction burning and controlled burning.

Pruning

This is the technique of removing dead, damaged or excess branches from trees. It is usually done from the base of the tree, and encourage trees to grow straight.

Pulp

Wood fibre processed to make paper. ‘Pulp’ logs are processed into wood chips or pulp for wood based panels, paper and paper products.

Pulpwood

Timber cut and prepared primarily for the manufacture of wood pulp and for further processing to make paper or reconstituted wood product such as fibreboard.

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Q

Quota

An annual allocation or volume of timber assigned to a forest tenure holder that can be harvested from a particular area. Each log must meet specific criteria, such as size.

Quota sawlog

A log having dimensions and quality which are equal to or greater than those specified by agreement. The volume forms part of a sawmill's annual sawlog allocation (quota).

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R

Radiata pine

Pinus radiata, a coniferous tree, native of California. A major source of softwood timber grown in Australia.

Rainforest

Type of forest that grows in higher rainfall regions and in fertile soils. There are both tropical and temperate rainforest in Australia and tend to be protected from harvesting.

Reforestation

Replanting of a forest on cleared, degraded or destroyed forest areas.

Regeneration

The process of growing new trees on areas previously forested, whether naturally or planted.

Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs)

Are 20 year plans for the conservation and sustainable management of Australia’s native forests.

Regrowth

A forest stand established by natural regeneration after logging.

Remnant vegetation

A small fragmented portion of vegetation remaining after an area has been mainly cleared for human land use.

Renewable natural resources

A resource that can be supplied again & again. Forests are a renewable resource, so it is vital they are carefully managed & not over-harvested.

Resource

Material required or needed, where stock that can be drawn on. Anything for which there is a perceived present or future use. Can be either renewable or non-renewable

Resource management

The considered use of renewable and non-renewable resources bearing in mind both the needs of people and the conservation of the resource base for the future.

Restoration

Practice of restoring a forest to its previous condition in terms of ecological function and structure as it was prior to disturbance.

Root

The part of a plant which grows below the soil surface, repsonsible for anchoring the plant, absorbing nutrients and conducting water.

Rotation

The number of years in a production cycle from planting trees till harvest; commonly short rotation hardwood 12-15 yrs, long rotations 25-30 yrs, & softwoods pines 40 yrs.

Royalty

A payment made for the value of timber harvested.

Runoff

The proportion of rain falling in a catchment which flows across the surface rather than infiltrating the soil. A major cause of soil erosion by water.

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S

Salvage logging

Logging carried out to use trees that have been damaged by fire or storm.

Sawlog

A log of suitable size and straightness, relatively free of internal defects and able to be milled into sections of sawn timber.

Seed

The viable part of a plant from which a new plant can grow.

Seed orchard

Collection of seed-producing trees; trees cultivated for the production of seeds used to grow and improve tree qualities.

Selective logging

Selected trees within an area nominated for logging are logged while other trees are retained to maintain the forest structure & wildlife habitat.

Senescent trees

Similar to over-mature trees.

Shrub

A woody plant smaller than a tree, usually divided into separate stems near the ground. Also see understorey.

Silviculture

This is a branch of forestry that involves the use of science and art to grow and maintain trees. It involves tree establishment, growth, health and quality.

Skidder

A rubber tyred tractor for dragging felled logs to a loading area. Also see feller buncher.

Snig

To haul logs along the ground from tree stump to log landing.

Snig track

A track along which logs are snigged, usually from felling point to a nearby log landing.

Snigging

The method of removing logs from site after felling operations by dragging.

Snigging

The action of chaining a log at stump, then dragging the log along the ground to a landing where it can be loaded on trucks or processed.

Softwood

Tree species, including radiate pine and cypress pine, that have soft wood that is useful in making newspapers, toilet paper and tissues as well as house frames and furniture.

Stakeholder

An individual that has a specific stake in a given set of resources, and can be affected by decisions of others.

Stand

A group (or cluster) of upright trees.

State forest

Publically owned forests under state or territory control. Areas of state forests are designated for production where some harvesting occurs.

Stem

Part of a plant. A stalk which supports a leaf, flower or fruit.

Subtropical

A type of rainforest occurring between the tropics and temperate geographic regions; found between tropic and temperate conditions.

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)

The management of our private & public forests to ensure forests continue to provide a sound supply of renewable timber for present & future generations.

Sustainable Yield

Amount of trees removed from a forest must at least equal the amount a forest is able to replace naturally.

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T

Thinning

A technique to remove thin or weak trees to leave more nutrients and space access for sunlight to the remaining trees to maximise their growth potential and wood properties.

Threatened species

A species facing possible extinction if measures are not taken to ensure its survival, such as removing predators and retaining and maintaining its habitat.

Timber

The general term used to describe sawn wood suitable for building and other purposes.

Total Catchment Management (TCM)

The coordinated and integrated management of natural resources within a catchment area to balance the way resources are used and conserved.

Tree

A perennial plant having a self-supporting woody stem or trunk which usually develops woody branches.

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U

Understorey

The layer of forest vegetation between the overstorey or canopy and the ground layer.

Urban forestry

The cultivation and management of trees and forests within cities for their present and potential contribution to the physiological, sociological and economic wellbeing of urban society.

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V

Value-added

The increased value of a forest product as a result of processing. Producing a product of higher quality and having more monetary value.

Visual protection

Strip of forest where harvesting of forest products is minimised in order to maintain views and visual aspects, usually along roadways and scenic lookouts.

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W

Wet sclerophyll forests

Tall open eucalypt based forests that provide a major source of hardwood timber for processing. They grow very quickly, like fertile soil and high rainfall.

Wilderness

An area of land that has been least modified by modern technological society. The most undisturbed expanses of our natural landscapes.

Wildfire

A grass or bush fire which burns out of control. A fire which destroys areas of grassland or bush and can destroy buildings and cause the death of vegetation, animals and humans.

Wildlife corridor

A strip of vegetation retained between areas of used and unused land to allow wildlife to move from sites of activity to other habitat sites.

Windrow

A row of debris collected after the harvesting of a plantation. Debris collected to be burnt to prepare the site for replanting.

Wood

The hard, fibrous inner part of tree trunks, branches and stems. Tissue that lies underneath the bark of a plant. A source of timber.

Woodland

Plant communities dominated by trees whose crowns shade on average 10 to 30 per cent of the ground. The typical vegetation type in low rainfall and poor soil regions.

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X

Xylem

The part of a plants vascular system that transports water and minerals within the plant, from the roots to the shoots.

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Y

Yield

The amount (usually volume) of timber removed annually or periodically from a forest.

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