Importance Of Lumbering, Methods, Problems

Lumbering, the process of harvesting timber from forests, has been a cornerstone of human development for centuries. From building homes and furniture to fueling industries, lumbering provides essential materials for countless applications. However, it also raises environmental, social, and economic concerns. This article explains the importance of lumbering, methods and the challenges it poses, and its significance in our lives.

Table Of Contents

Definition of Lumbering
Lumbering areas
Favorable factors for lumbering
Methods of lumbering
Economic importance of Lumbering
Problems of lumbering
Solutions to the problems of lumbering

Definition Of Lumbering

Lumbering is defined as the felling of economic trees in the forest, which can be used for domestic, industrial or commercial purposes.

Lumbering refers to the cutting down of trees for timber and other wood products. It involves a series of activities, including tree felling, processing, transportation, and reforestation. This practice is integral to industries such as construction, paper manufacturing, and furniture production.

The presence of Equatorial climate favors the existence of tropical rainforest where economic trees are found. In West Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria are the leading countries where lumbering is done.

Major Lumbering Areas

In Zaire, lumbering areas include Zaire basin around the province of Kinshasa, ituri and Eastern equator.

In Nigeria, lumbering areas include Benin, Sapele, Ondo, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

Favorable Factors for Lumbering

Following factors favor lumbering in both Zaire, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.

Presence of dense tropical rainforest provide ready sources of valuable timber.
Presence of many economic trees.
Presence of wide market for the timber products within the country.
High demand for hardwood in foreign countries.
High demand for timber as fuel.
Efficient sawmill industries to process the raw timber.
Efficient transport like rivers and roads to move logs to either sawmills or to ports for exports.
Favorable equatorial climate.
High rainfall all year round.
High temperature all year round.
Availability of labour.

Methods of Lumbering

The methods of lumbering in Zaire, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are the same and they take the following process.

The lumbermen search the forest for the particular tree they want.
Platforms of about 2 – 3m high are built around the trees with buttress roots.
The trees is then cut down either with axe, handsaw or powered saws.
The branches of tree are cut off after felling and the whole tree is cut into logs.
The logs are dragged by tractors to loading points.
Trucks then carry logs to sawmills or port for export.

Economic Trees

In Nigeria, the economic trees are mainly tropical hardwood which include Iroko, Obeche, Opepe, Sapele wood, Mahogany and African walnut.

In Zaire, the economic trees include tropical softwood like Okoume and tropical hardwood like Limber, African walnut and mahogany.

Economic Importance of Lumbering

Below are the importance of lumbering in Africa:

Lumbering provide foreign exchange through the export of timber to overseas countries.
It provides employment to people who are involved in lumbering and related activities.
It provides raw materials like timber for timber processing Industries (sawmills Industries) which provide plywood and planks.
Planks and plywood are used in construction of houses and furniture making.
Timber is used for the construction of canoe and boats.
Timber serves as a source of income to government by way of licences and permits given to the timber contractors.
Trees in Forest help to control soil erosion as well as serving as windbreaks.

Problems of Lumbering

Problems associated with the exploitation of timber in both Nigeria and Zaire at the same. these include:

Exploitation of timber exposes the area to agents of erosion.
It also leads to the depletion of natural resources.
It also results in the leaching of the soil.
There is the problem of high cost of forest products.
Deforestation can cause flooding.
Most trees are not in pure stands. This makes lumbering difficult.
It also leads to the disappearance of wildlife.
Presence of buttress roots in some trees makes felling very difficult and dangerous.
Some of the logs are so big and heavy that they do not float easily on the Rivers.
Difficult terrain makes Lumbering difficult.
Insufficient capital also makes lumbering practices very difficult.
Forests in some parts are far from the coast, thus increasing cost of transportation.

Solutions to the Problems of Lumbering

Forest guard should be employed to check illegal felling and ensure planting of new trees.
Roads should be constructed around lumbering areas for easy transportation of logs.
Afforestation, i.e, the policy of planting of two trees in an area where one tree is cut should be encouraged.
Re-afforestation, i.e, the practice of clearing the bush of bad trees and planting valuable ones to replace them should also be encouraged.
Bush Fallowing should be discouraged.
Bush burning should also be discouraged.

Conclusion on the Importance of Lumbering

Lumbering is vital for economic development and provides essential resources for human needs. However, unsustainable practices pose significant threats to the environment and society. By adopting sustainable methods and addressing the associated problems, we can ensure that this age-old practice continues to benefit humanity without compromising the planet’s health.

READ ALSO – Uses Of Wood In everyday Life, Examples And Importance

Revision Questions on the Importance of Lumbering

(a) Describe the methods of lumbering used in either Zaire or Nigeria (b) Discuss the problems associated with the exploitation of timber in the area (c) using specific examples, discuss the economic importance of lumbering in equatorial Africa.
What are the possible solutions to problems of lumbering?
State five favorable factors for lumbering.
Outline four problems associated with lumbering in Africa.