[Forestry 101] Introduction to Forestry & Tree Species

Welcome to your next “Forestry 101” lesson of the Farming Simulator Academy! Today, we’re focusing on the different types of trees and their differences.

Overview of Tree Types

There are twelve types of trees in total in the game, separated in two categories: Deciduous trees and conifer trees. 

• Spruce (conifer)
• Pine (conifer)
• Stone Pine (conifer)
• Cypress (conifer)
• Birch (deciduous)
• Oak (deciduous)
• Willow (deciduous)
• Maple (deciduous)
• Pagoda Dogwood (deciduous)
• Shagbark Hickory (deciduous)
• American Elm (deciduous)
• Downy Serviceberry (deciduous)

Note: In build mode, there are more trees found for decorating your land. Since they are used for decorative purposes, we ignore them for actual forestry.

Differences of Tree Types

Of course, there are differences between the tree species. You should keep those differences in mind as they concern the season they grow in, the way of harvesting timber and the possibilities to process and receive yield from them.

Harvest type

Trees are either harvested with a chainsaw or with a wood harvester machine.

• Deciduous trees are all cut by hand with a chainsaw.
• Cypress and Stone Pine (both are conifers) are cut with a chainsaw, too.
• Spruce and Pine (conifers) are cut with a harvester. 

Growth Period

The different types of trees vary when it comes to the duration of growth. Depending on the type of tree, growth periods can differ between two and 24 in-game days.

Sales Value and Further Processing

The thickness and length of the trunk as well as the amount of branches depends on the type of tree. This has a direct influence on the sales value and the kind of processing possible. Trees with a lot of branches gain less yield, unless you cut off the branches. You can use the branches to produce wood chips, if you want to. 

How To Process Different Tree Types

Generally speaking, the longer and thicker the trunk, the higher the yield. That’s why conifers like the pine with their small branches and long, straight trunks are mainly used for timber production.

Deciduous trees are more crooked and have many thick branches, so they are more suitable for the production of wood chips. Such as the oak: it has a thick trunk, but it is not particularly straight. In addition, the branches are very large.

Conclusion: Conifers for timber production, deciduous trees for wood chip production.

Well done!

Congratulations, you have successfully finished another lesson and can hopefully differentiate tree types, now. Keep at it, and you'll be a top-notch virtual farmer in no time!