houtwinning

Houtwinning, in Dutch forestry, denotes the extraction of timber from a forest stand. It covers planning, felling, extraction, processing, and transport of logs, and is guided by a forest management plan and silvicultural objectives. The method of removal depends on site conditions and regeneration aims and may include clear-cutting, selective logging, thinning, or final harvest, sometimes followed by site preparation for regeneration.

Operations can be carried out with manual methods (chainsaws, winches) or with mechanized equipment (harvesters, forwarders, skidders). In difficult terrain or sensitive ecosystems, cable logging or other yarding systems may be used to move timber without excessive soil disturbance. The primary goals are to remove marketable wood efficiently while minimizing damage to remaining trees, soils, and watercourses, and to support regeneration and long-term forest productivity.

Environmental and social considerations include protecting soil structure, controlling erosion, maintaining biodiversity, reducing emissions, and ensuring worker safety. Houtwinning is regulated by national forestry and environmental laws and is often subject to certification schemes such as FSC or PEFC, which promote sustainable forest management and traceability of wood products.

It can take place in industrial, commercial forestry or in small-scale, community-managed operations. The practice varies by country, forest type, and regulatory context, but the core objective remains the same: to convert standing timber into harvestable products while sustaining forest value over time.