Timber Industry
History of the Timber (Forestry) Industry in Mpumalanga
During the 1870's, the mines of the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME) began to exploit reefs and realised that they needed timber. The mines got the timber from the indigenous forests along the Escarpment. However, these forests were soon exhausted.
The beginning of forestry in the area started in 1876 when the first forester of the region, Joseph Brooke Shires, planted commercial eucalyptus and wattle trees at Onverwacht, which later became Brooklands State Forest. In 1903, TGME planted eucalyptus and wattle at Driekop (Graskop). It is these early actions that have made this region the single biggest manmade forest in South Africa which supplies over 51% of South Africa's timber.
Forestry Land
Of the total land area of about 120 million hectares in South Africa, only 1,2 million hectares are under plantation forestry (1,1%). 
The forestry (or timber) industry is involved ingrowing trees, mostly eucalyptus (or gum) and pine species, and then converting the wood from the trees into value-added products such as paper, tissue-paper, roof trusses, transmission poles, furniture and many other wood products.
Forestry Companies in Sabie
York Timbers is an environmentally sustainalbe, integrated forest products company headquartered in Sabie. York owns 57 400 hectares of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified plantation forests.
In addition the company owns 29 500 hectares of unplanted land that is reserved for conservation of streasm, grassland and indigenous forest.
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York owns and manages 7 sawmills located in Sabie, Graskop, Jessievale, White River, Amsterdam and Lothair, as well as plywood plant in Sabie.
York achieved FSC certification from SGS Qualifor for all of its plantations and chain-of-custody certification for all its processing operations. This ensures that all of its products are sourced from well-managed plantations that are economically viable, socially acceptable and ecologically sound and that York strives to serve today's needs, while protecting its resources for future generations.
For more information, visit www.york.co.za
Komatiland Ecotourism Forest Industry Museum
A unique look into the South African forestry history, dating back to the origin of forestry to the present day
- Insight into the way modern technology has influenced the development of forestry over the years
- A view of the birth of forestry and the role trees play in nature
- Information on the processing and harvesting timber procedures, the various uses of timber, timber's contribution to the industrial development, the business spin-off opportunities and the general obstacles to the industry
- An explanation of the public interaction with indigenous forests and the quality of life to be expected
- Information on the land preparation and planting and the management of un-utilised land; and education on how we can add value to an environmentally friendly industry.
Museum Highlights include:
- A 250-year-old yellow-wood disc on which highlights of the South African history are recorded on
- The oldest, miniature shoes that were carved out of wood by an Anglo-Boer prisoner on St Helena
- The history of the manufacturing of matches and a 'painting' in matches. The painting traces the evolution of man's attempts to harness fire and light and power
- A replica in matches of the Bosman Street N G Church in Pretoria
- The oldest known South African used frame saw, which came to the Transvaal in about 1894
- A hand-made clothes peg that was made by Gypsies in Ireland over a 100 years ago
The Museum is located on the corner of Ford Street and 7th & 10th Avenue in Sabie.
For more information and bookings, please contact:
Chantalle Sieling
Tel. 27 13 764 1058
Fax 27 13 764 2071
Email : csieling@klf.co.za
Entrance fee
Adults: R5.00
Children: R2.00
Pensioners: R2.00
Visiting hours
Mondays to Fridays: 08h00 to 16h30
Saturdays: 08h00 to 12h00
Closed on public holidays and Sundays
For more information ,visit www.komatiecotourism.co.za