Before we embark on a brief history of Gabon and its logging methods etc. we enclose a copy of a recent email in response to a customer asking about renewable resources.

You might like to read this as this will give you a better understanding of the current global situation. 

  Q) I'm curious about two things:
 What is "afforested?"

Afforested is a term relating to Aforestation.

Countries that are green have an Aforestation program, which means that for every one tree they cut, at least one is planted in its place. Two or three is the norm. Countries, particularly the Scandinavians have become very adept at growing trees that can be cut down in about 20-25 years, achieve good height and stay healthy.

Businesses need to maximize the land, and now trees are grown closer together in order to compete for light; branches are broken off to stimulate upward growth etc.

The spruce/pine/firs, which typically grow on latitudes upwards from the Canadian border, Scandinavia, Russia are not doing the environment much good if they stay rooted for 50 years. They lose their efficiency of inhaling the carbon monoxides at night, and therefore produce less oxygen for the world to breathe.

In 1945, when planes were being built of wood, wars and defense systems were on alerts, many countries used wood for a variety of building reasons and consequently, the forests were scarce. Most of the Forests of the world exist above the latitudes as stated above.

Russia cut everything...with an attitude of 'lets worry tomorrow about planting'

Since 1990, and indeed 5 years earlier when their economy was spiraling south they did not have the resources to do large logging projects.

Today with the USSR firmly destabilized, the northern areas are full of young, healthy trees growing at an alarmingly fast rate.

Yes, this is good news, so why put it on Tom Brokaws desk? Its just not a headline grabber.

So, to answer your question...go to one side of a forest, see a tree being chopped down, then look at the other side of the forest, and you will see two or three being planted to replace it. This wood has come from an afforested source.
Q)> What's the source of that non-Nightline  (our source) statistic? 

The source comes from pretty mundane pie charts and graphs in Technical trade magazines, mainly from the last two years.

Unfortunately, although the information is pretty clear-cut, you won't find Sting writing a song about it.

Q)  I checked out the page you linked, but wasn't clear about it. Who/what is Gabon

Gabon is a French territorial country in Africa, which harvests many woods, one of our main ones being Okoume (also known as Gaboon, the name derived from its origin)

It's good for plywood manufacturing, and the government do their best to ensure programs of aforestation.

Woods are being cut down in South American countries in a bad way. Villagers need firewood, and they're using Rosewood/Mahogany to warm themselves...Brazil and some Central American countries are the chief culprits. On the other hand, Chile and Argentina are doing a very good job with their forestry management.

Hope this helps and answers your questions

(errors and omissions accepted)