Technical Services
Research
Our commitment to innovation and sustainability drives our extensive research and development efforts. Our research spans across tree breeding, forestry planning, and environmental management, positioning us at the forefront of the forestry industry.
Through collaboration with global forestry institutes and adherence to rigorous standards, we continue to lead in delivering sustainable forestry solutions that meet today's needs without compromising future generations.
Tree Breeding
We have been a member of Camcore, an international tree-breeding organisation, since 1996.
Our tree breeding initiative aims to develop trees with increased yields, superior wood quality, enhanced disease resistance, and other traits tailored to specific environments. Our Cape business operations specialise in producing pine saw timber for the structural lumber markets, while our North operations focus on Eucalyptus supply for Pole, Mining, Saw timber, and Pulp markets. We meticulously target traits like stem form, volume, and wood properties to meet market needs, ensuring the deployment of appropriate species and clones for commercial use. We firmly believe that collaboration and partnership with other forestry institutes are beneficial and essential for sharing knowledge and expertise.
Our seeds are harvested from our open-pollinated orchards that were established with superior trees selected with the desired traits screened from our tree breeding program.
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Forestry Pine Seeds available:
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P. radiata
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P. elliottii
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P. taeda
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Our Seed Business
Forestry Planning
Forestry planning manages information and provides services across the complete value chain, supporting the efforts of Land Management, Environmental Management, and Research.
The primary objective of the planning department is to ensure the sustainable supply of high-quality Eucalyptus and Pinus products in the short, medium, and long term that meet its customers' requirements. The goal is to maximise the utilisation of the whole tree on a profitable basis. We continue to employ the latest and most appropriate integrated forest and resource management systems that will assist us in managing our resources profitably on a sustainable basis.
The planning department develops strategies, long-term future volume predictions, and regimes to optimise the silviculture process to deliver the most suitable material to markets on a sustainable basis. We are responsible for surveying forest resources and establishing forest inventories to determine the value of forestry assets. Enumerations or measurements of commercial compartments provide essential information for forestry management, woodflows, and biological asset evaluation. The Planning team also plays a significant role in assisting Silviculture by maintaining and updating policies and regimes, APOs, budgeting, and quality control, hosting silviculture-related workshops, field days, and internal silviculture audits to ensure that best operation practices are implemented and maintained.
Environmental Management
Conserving Natural Habitats
We are guardians of over 40% of our land, dedicated to conservation management. This significant commitment includes not only hectares of planted forestry but also indigenous forests, wetlands, and fynbos. Our proactive approach ensures these ecosystems thrive alongside our commercial activities, maintaining the balance of nature.
Interactive Conservation Overview
The pie chart below details our land use, illustrating the vast areas under conservation compared to our commercial forestry operations. This visual representation underscores our dedication to preserving the natural environment.
Protecting Biodiversity
MTO Group is home to 39 Red Data species—plants and animals listed as vulnerable, rare, or endangered and at risk of extinction. We recognise our responsibility to protect these species and have implemented comprehensive management plans to monitor and support their survival. These plans include habitat protection, the eradication of alien invasive species, and ecological burning where necessary to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Water Stewardship
Water is the lifeblood of the environment, and our forestry operations are committed to its responsible use. We adhere to strict standards to protect water quality and preserve riparian zones and wetlands, minimizing our environmental footprint and ensuring the sustainability of water resources.
Areas of Special Interest
We also safeguard 38 recorded sites of cultural, historical, archaeological significance, and other specific values. Each site is carefully integrated into our management plans, marked on maps, and protected with buffer zones to prevent damage from nearby activities. Our staff and contractors are continually educated about the importance of these sites to ensure they are preserved for future generations.
