Opepe Timber Suppliers

Opepe Timber: Sustainable Forestry Source

Opepe trees are typically found in lowland tropical forests. These forests are biodiversity hotspots and play a crucial role in global carbon sequestration and climate regulation.

The practice of sustainable harvesting using Reduced Impact Logging ensure this species is harvested sustainably, protecting the canopy and preserving timber volume for the future.

Timber certification schemes like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and PAFC, Pan Africa Forest Certification run by PEFC, provide guidelines and standards for sustainable forest management which overlay the contract of the National Forest Standards.

Reduced impact logging is where a huge amount of planning goes into what tree to take from a concession broken down into Hectares. The planning helps avoid impact on the surrounding forest and watercourses.

Roderick Aitken (below) is checking the tree markings match up with the paperwork for this felled tree.

A logged forest canopy in the Republic of Congo.

Socio economic benefits of well managed tropical forestry

Central Africa where our Opepe timber comes from has significant social challenges and poverty. Counties such as Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon are the three countries Gilmour & Aitken Ltd will source these timbers from.

There are significant social benefits to sustainable tropical forestry due to employment in very remote poor areas. There are rural communities with very little chance of employment who gain a wage from the forestry industry being located in their region and responsibly managed.

In addition there are examples in well invested certified concessions of further social value inputs such as medical and educational support put in place to provide for the workforce and supportive to local and indigenous communities by the timber business.