They absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon, and help protect soil from erosion. They help clean our drinking water by filtering water before it enters creeks, streams and underground water supplies.
Wood is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.
It is also one of the most energy efficient materials we use. Because of increasing interest in and concern about the environment, in recent years society has demanded that large areas of forest be set aside so that trees, plants and animals can be allowed to live and grow without human disturbance. Our working forests are looked after by specially trained State foresters. Our preserved forests are looked after by national park rangers. National Parks include most of our oldest forests.