Forestry Archives - SA Forestry Online

Home » Articles » Forestry

11th February 2026

Five women driving the future of forestry through science

To celebrate the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Forestry South Africa (FSA) has launched two complementary campaigns to amplify women’s voices, inspire more women to pursue STEM careers in the field, and challenge outdated perceptions of the forestry sector.

11th February 2026

Meet six young women who are turning science into sustainability solutions

South Africa’s pulp and paper sector has been opening doors for a growing cohort of young women who apply science and engineering to making the circular bioeconomy a reality.

09th February 2026

WoodEX for Africa 2026 Opens Visitor Registration

Johannesburg, South Africa – Visitor registration is now officially open for WoodEX for Africa 2026, taking place from 9–11 June 2026 at the Gallagher Convention Centre,

08th December 2025

Wits and Sappi renew climate-smart forest resilience research partnership

Wits University and Sappi Southern Africa have renewed their research partnership to increase forestry resilience to climate change risks by extending the Wits Sappi Chair in Climate Change and Plantation Sustainability until 2028.

01st December 2025

The STIHL MS 382: Power that pays off

Maximise productivity, reduce downtime, and cut smarter with every shift using the STIHL MS 382 petrol chainsaw while gaining consistent returns through power, efficiency, and durability.

30th November 2025

A new forwarder is a dream come true for EMK Investments

Farming is in Ewald Klingenberg's blood. His family is part of the fifth generation of German settlers who originally came to the southernmost part of the picturesque Mpumalanga Province as missionaries and later began farming a variety of crops and raising cattle.

25th November 2025

SAFCA celebrates its 36th AGM

The South African Forestry Contractors Association (SAFCA) celebrated its 36th annual general meeting in November at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal.

12th November 2025

A wake-up call for Southern Africa's pine plantation owners

Recent high-resolution climate modelling research has revealed that the suitability of key pine species for plantation forestry will shift dramatically by 2060. The lead author, Dr Jaco-Pierre van der Merwe of York Timbers, says these findings are crucial for everyone invested in the future of forests to enable pre-emptive tree breeding and the introduction of new forest species to mitigate climate change.

06th November 2025

Witzenberg FORESTER VACANCY

Witzenberg Properties (Pty) Ltd is seeking a Forester to manage harvesting and silviculture operations in our forestry department. You will be based in the Koue Bokkeveld, Ceres. As a member of our timber division team, you will play a critical role in delivering productivity, quality, environmental stewardship, and community engagement across our plantations.

31st October 2025

Cape Forest Products is a new dawn for South Africa's forestry sector

The merger of PG Bison’s Southern Cape sawmilling operations with MTO Forestry Southern and Eastern Cape operations to create a new company, Cape Forests Products, creates a more sustainable timber and sawmilling industry in the Southern Cape.

18th October 2025

PBS Smart Truck pilot project confirms RTMS works

Stakeholders from South Africa’s transport and logistics sector gathered recently for a Road Transport Management System (RTMS) awareness workshop, a platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and advancing industry standards, with support from Michelin Connected Fleet and Standard Bank.

16th October 2025

When Knysna’s woodcutters cut wood

The Knysna forest, which forms part of the “Garden Route” on South Africa’s southern coastline, was historically significant from colonial times as a natural timber resource used for fuelwood, construction, shipbuilding, furniture, and other purposes.

13th October 2025

New study confirms FSC certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover

A new study in The Journal of Cleaner Production confirms that Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover, especially in lower-middle-income countries.

08th October 2025

New Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is home to over 5,930 species of plants and more than 1,360 species of animals. Forests and woodlands currently cover about 35% of the country's total land area and play multiple essential roles critical to the livelihoods of poor rural communities.

02nd October 2025

Dalena Wolmarans does it her way

Dalena Wolmarans’ entrepreneurial journey in Knysna is remarkable. Not only has she been running three successful companies since 1993, but she is also a truck driver, sawmill operator, wife, and proud mother of two daughters.

01st October 2025

The future of forestry: How drones are set to transform the industry

As we look towards the future of forestry operations, one technology is emerging as a true game-changer: drones. In the next five years, we can expect drone technology to transform forest management by integrating precision applications and advanced spatial analytics, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making.

29th September 2025

She is Forestry SA 2025 Awards winners

The forestry sector celebrated exceptional female excellence at the 2025 She is Forestry South Africa Awards. The annual awards are presented during the She is Forestry annual online gathering during Women’s Month in August.

27th September 2025

NCT Commercial Tree Farmer of the Year 2025: The Crowe family's Fairfield Estate

NCT's annual recognition of commercial growers farming their land responsibly and sustainably has become a benchmark achievement for the cooperative's members. Fairfield Estate, owned and managed by Matthew Crowe and his wife Karien, was announced the winner of the annual Commercial Tree Farmer of the Year award at NCT's recent annual general meeting.

23rd September 2025

Congratulations, Godi Nsele: NCT's 2025 Small-scale Tree Farmer of the Year

Godi Isaac Nsele, an agroforestry farmer from Manguzi in KwaZulu-Natal, was chosen as NCT's 2025 Small Grower Tree Farmer of the Year. The award recognises exceptional silvicultural and operational practices and environmental management.

05th September 2025

Minister George plants trees at Sappi Shaw in Arbour Week

In a fitting tribute to Arbour Week, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, visited Sappi’s forestry operations in KwaZulu-Natal, together with industry representatives, and ceremonially planted six indigenous trees at the Sappi Shaw Research Centre.

05th September 2025

Arbour Month: Sappi’s indigenous trees programme spreads its roots

The bark, leaves, and roots of indigenous tree species in Africa form the backbone of traditional medicine, providing remedies passed down through generations. However, indiscriminate harvesting is threatening ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people.

01st September 2025

Call to plant one million trees on 24 September 2025

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is calling all South Africans to accept the challenge to plant

22nd August 2025

Digging Deeper: Unearthing the secrets to preparing soil the smart way

Larry Morris, Husqvarna Area Business Manager for the Western Cape, says that it is not just about clearing ground, it’s about understanding your terrain, choosing the right tools, and setting up conditions that give crops the best possible start.

13th August 2025

Transforming South Africa's forestry sector

Makhosazana "Khosi" Mavimbela's words ", This is not the time to moan and groan, this is the time to learn

2 3

Fort Cox celebrates the Class of 2025

New Forests launches global natural capital fund

STIHL’s BR Backpack Blowers are built for fire management

Five women driving the future of forestry through science

Meet six young women who are turning science into sustainability solutions

WoodEX for Africa 2026 Opens Visitor Registration