Forestry in North America
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Responsible manufacturing begins with responsible procurement
Healthy and abundant forests are critical to the long-term viability of each of our core businesses because wood supplies the bulk of renewable energy that drives our mills, and cellulose fiber comprises the primary ingredient in our paper and pulp products.
Sustainably managed forests are how Sappi continues to have a positive impact on the health of forests, the animals that live there, and the overall environment.
Sappi North America’s Fiber Sourcing Practices
Since Sappi does not own any forests in North America, we are fully dependent on outside suppliers for wood. Using third-party programs helps to assure Sappi and our customers that our wood suppliers adhere to responsible forestry practices.
Therefore, Sappi implements rigorous tracing practices to confirm and document the origin of woodfiber. In addition, suppliers must provide evidence that all woodfiber is sourced from controlled, non-controversial sources. Sappi does not use woodfiber from endangered tropical forests.
Globally, all wood and pulp sourced for Sappi meet the requirements of the FSC Controlled Wood standard at a minimum. There are five categories of unacceptable woodfiber that cannot be mixed with our materials:
- Illegally harvested wood
- Wood harvested in violation of traditional and human rights
- Wood harvested in forests in which high conservation values (HCVs) are threatened by management activities
- Wood harvested in forests being converted to plantations or nonforest use
- Wood from forests in which genetically modified trees are planted
For Sappi North America, all wood and pulp purchases must also meet the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard which has additional requirements beyond avoiding controversial sources.
To learn more, please visit our Wood Sourcing and Sustainable procurement pages.
How Our Foresters Support Landowners & Sustainability
Sappi North America's Maine Forestry Program and Lake States Forestry are dedicated teams of trained forest professionals committed to helping woodland owners in Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula manage and develop their woodland.
Sappi North America's (SNA) Lake States Forestry assists woodland owners in the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
How We Can Help
Our foresters work closely with landowners to achieve their woodland objectives, whether it's:
- Conducting timber harvests that align with your goals while maximizing returns
- Developing a forest management plan
- Enhancing wildlife management, recreation, and aesthetics
- Improving forest health and sustainability
With an extensive network of resources, our team is ready to support you in reaching your goals— whether for conservation, revenue, or long-term forest stewardship.
Meet our licensed foresters and trained professionals
Sappi North America's Forestry Program has two teams of licensed foresters and trained professionals dedicated to managing woodlands with owners.
Our Maine Forestry Program and our Lake States Forestry teams are here to help landowners improve forest health, wildlife, recreation, aesthetics, generate revenue, or all of the above.
Why partner with Sappi?
The Sappi North America Forestry Program will work with you to help identify and achieve your goals and maximize the return for your woodland.
We can help you with woodland evaluation, mapping, planning, and even coordinating your timber harvesting with certified logging professionals. We can create a plan that will meet your needs and even increase your forest's biological productivity.
By working with our Forestry team, you can be assured that our professional forestry staff will:
- Work with you to meet your objectives for your woodland
- Maximize the return on your timber investment, by identifying the highest-value markets
- Guarantee consistent payment
- Maximize the biological productivity of your woodlot
Work with reputable and Certified Logger Program (CLP) trained timber harvesting contractors that carry worker's compensation and liability insurance
Help you navigate all town, state and federal rules and regulations
Why should I consider forest management?
Forest management can often accelerate the growth of your timber, meaning your trees become available for harvest on more frequent intervals. When forests are left unmanaged, crown canopies close in and the stands become denser, creating competition between the trees for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. Also, an unmanaged forest can lead to forest pest or fire risk. When these stands undergo forest management, more room is created for the remaining trees to grow due to less competition for the needed resources. The result is greater diameter growth in the remaining trees until the crown canopy closes again.
Landowner Resources
Sappi North America is committed to responsible forestry and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations at federal, state, and local levels. As active members of various professional organizations, we support sustainable land management practices. Below, you'll find helpful resources and links tailored for landowners in the Lake States and Maine Forestry Program.
Helping You Manage Your Woodland Sustainably
Our forestry teams are here to support you in managing your land responsibly. Whether you're in the Lake States or Maine, we’ll work with you to identify your goals and provide the guidance needed to achieve them.
Woodlot Evaluation & Planning
The SNA Maine Forestry Program and Lake States Forestry team are here to help you identify and achieve your woodland goals through expert evaluation and planning.
Our foresters can help you with all aspects that go into woodland evaluation, planning and timber harvesting including identifying:
- Your goals and objectives
- Natural and cultural characteristics of your woodland
- Boundary lines of your woodland
Coordinate Timber Harvest Activities
- Perform harvest layout
- Contract a harvest operator
- Act as your agent in the sale of your timber
- Develop Management Plans
- Maine's Tree Growth Tax Law Download application
- Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map your property
- Create a plan that will meet your goals and objectives on your woodland
- Maximize the biological productivity of your forest
Marketing Your Timber
With our log sales manager and procurement team, we will maximize the return from your timber harvest by marketing your wood to the highest value and best use.
Forest Operations
The SNA Forestry Program’s require that any logging contractor working in our program is fully insured (worker's compensation/liability) and holds a current Certified Logging Professional (CLP) certificate.
To meet the objectives of your woodland, we contract with many operators who utilize several different harvesting systems. Some examples are:
- Conventional (chainsaw, skidder)
- Cut to Length (harvester/processor, forwarder)
- Full Tree/Tree Length (fellerbuncher, skidder, stroke delimber or slasher/pull through delimber, chipper)
Understanding the value of your timber
Many factors are taken into consideration when evaluating what your timber is worth.
These factors include:
- Landowner Objectives
- Acreage and Volume
- Wood Quality
1. Veneer
2. Logs
3. Pulp
4. Biomass - Biomass
- Road/Landing requirements
- Terrain
- Harvesting Equipment Systems
Schedule a Consultation with an SNA Forester
If you're interested in a woodland walkthrough with an SNA Maine Forester to discuss your objectives and receive an estimate of your timber's value, contact us.
For Lake States landowners, you can schedule a meeting with a forester to review your goals and conduct a property walkthrough by calling +1 800-633-2083.
I've had the opportunity to work with SAPPI staff and contractors managing Maine's Public Reserve Lands for several years. It has been a very satisfying experience. SAPPI's managers, field staff and contractors are all extremely professional and dedicated to helping us meet our management objectives. Often these objectives are somewhat unique, requiring extra care and attention to detail. I have found SAPPI to be very responsive to my questions and requests, and committed to doing the best job possible.
Chuck Simpson, Regional Land Manager, Eastern Region, Bureau of Parks and Lands, Maine Department of Conservation
Any forest management conducted on your property will comply with all town, state and federal regulations. Most laws and regulations that apply to forestry in the Lake States and Maine relate to forest practices, natural resource protection and environmental protection.