What is the Private Forestry Programme?

The Private Forestry Programme is an initiative of the Forestry Department aimed at encouraging private landowners & other entities to plant trees in a bid to contribute to the country’s forest cover.

How can a private land owner participate in the Private Forestry Program?

Private land owners interested in participating in the programme can do so by completing and submitting an application form to the Agency. Applicants should have at least 0.10 hectare (quarter (¼) acre) of land. The applicant is notified within six (6) months and a preliminary assessment of the land is conducted by Forest Technicians to determine which species will be most suitable for the site. 

What does the Forestry Department provide under the Private Forestry Programme?

Participants receive free timber seedlings and technical advice from the Agency. Trees that are planted under the programme belong to the participant and not the Agency, as a result, once the trees mature, participants can cut and extract timber for sale.

What does the technical advice given entail?

Under the Private Forestry Programme, the Forestry Department provides the necessary support in regards to:-

·                 Species selection

·                 Site preparation

·                 Tree/plantation maintenance

·                 Thinning and pruning

·                 Growth and yield determination

Which species are usually provided under the programme?

Under the Private Forestry Programme, the timber seedlings that are issued freely by the Forestry Department are:

•       Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea)
•       Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus)
•      Spanish Elm (Cordia geracanthus)
•       Bitter Damsel (Simarouba glauca)
•      West Indian Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
•      Santa Maria (Calophyllum calaba)
•      Honduras Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
•        Jamaica Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)

Click here for application form or call 876-618-3205 for more details.