Harvesting Process

Stage One: Coupe Marking

A 'coupe' is the name given to the area planned for timber harvesting. Forest officers mark the coupe in order to show the timber harvesting contractor which areas and trees are to be harvested. This is done by using coloured marking tape to mark coupe boundaries and protect important biological values such as rainforest, streams or important wildlife habitat.

Within the harvest area, individual trees are also marked for protection for their seed or habitat value, or if they are particularly dangerous trees that workers must avoid.