What happens to the carbon in harvested timber?
When harvesting occurs, 40-60% of the tree biomass (branches, roots, leaves) remains in the forest, where it decomposes slowly over time. At the same time, the harvested areas regenerate to become forests again so that over time there is substantial new storage of carbon. The harvested logs are sent to mills to be converted into forest products such as lumber or paper. Depending on the use and disposal of these products, the carbon may be stored for a very long time, or it may be released into the atmosphere relatively quickly. In Canada, around 45–50% of the carbon harvested and removed from the forest is stored in long-lasting structures like houses. This carbon is not released back into the atmosphere until many decades later when, for instance, a house has been torn down and the wood burned or sent to landfills. Around 25–30% of the carbon goes into less-durable products such as wooden pallets or newspapers and other paper goods that are quickly disposed of. Strategies that prolong
