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NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: June 19,
2003
Tolko Exhibits Hybrid Poplar Planting
High Prairie, Alberta – The High Prairie Division
of Tolko Industries Ltd. planted 8300 hybrid poplars on June 13,
2003.
The planting was done on 7 ½ hectares
that extends across the front of the oriented strand board (OSB)
mill site. It involves signage detailing the two species, Walker
and Green Giant, along with planting dates and growth measurements.
“The project has two main purposes,”
said Hilary Wait, Tolko Divisional Forester. “One, we will
monitor for differing growth rates between the two species.
“Two, we want to demonstrate to farmers
the benefits of establishing hybrid poplars as a crop.”
While just gaining popularity across the Prairies
and Pacific Northwest as an alternative to traditional crops on
agricultural land, hybrid poplars are already a favourite of farmers
in other countries, including over a million hectares in Europe.
“Our hybrid poplars were developed by
Indian Head Nursery in Saskatchewan. They crossed native trees from
Northern Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Quebec, with Populus Deltitoides
to get fast growing trees for forestry,” Wait explained. “Hybrid
poplars have been harvested for commercial purposes after just 12
to 15 years of growth.”
The Tolko Division expects to expand its demonstration
woodlot over the next five years. The total project will involve
over 200,000 trees. “Eventually we hope to use these plantation
trees and those of local farmers as an alternative supply of fibre
for our mill,” added Wait. “That will mean less reliance
on our natural forests.”
Meadow Lake OSB, a partnership between Tolko,
Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Northwest Communities Wood Products,
and Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, supports this
initiative. Allan Bell, Woodlands Superintendent noted, “More
than 10% of our timber supply must come on a sustainable basis from
regulated and unregulated private land and Crown Leases. We intend
to initiate a similar program on our private land in proximity to
the mill and are working with the Saskatchewan Government to ensure
long term sustainability of private lands and Crown Leases.”
The High Prairie Division of Tolko Industries
Ltd. produces in excess of 500 million square feet of OSB each year
and directly employs about 160 people through its production and
woodlands operations.
For more information:
Rick Alguire
Woodlands Manager
High Prairie OSB Division
Tolko Industries Ltd.
Phone: (780) 536-3212
Hilary Wait
Divisional Forester
High Prairie OSB Division
Tolko Industries Ltd.
Phone: (780) 536-3217
Allan Bell
Area Superintendent
Meadow Lake OSB Limited Partnership
Phone: 306-236-0508
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