Frequently asked questions

FAQ's

Can my trees be uniquely identified in the field?

Yes - your trees are marked in the plantation. Additionally, the GPS coordinates indicating where your trees are located will be sent to you.

How do you choose where to plant my trees?

Any land we consider purchasing has to pass rigorous testing procedures by qualified professionals to ascertain if it is suitable for our plantations. Bore-hole testing and soil reports are undertaken and the results studied to see the suitability of the soil for the trees we are planting. Only when a piece of land passes our stringent tests do we consider purchasing it.

Who owns the trees?

As the tree owner, you own the trees and the cropping rights.

What reports will I receive? 

Periodically, you will receive a forester’s report detailing the growth of your trees with any appropriate recommendations on actions that may need to be taken. You will also receive a report on the planned number of trees to be harvested – which you can amend at any time. After each harvest you will receive a record of the number of trees harvested, the processing and management fees accrued and your net proceeds from the harvest.

Can I visit the plantations? 

Yes - investors can travel to Costa Rica to meet our management team and tour our plantations.

When are the trees planted?

When you invest, you are allocated saplings within our nurseries. When your saplings are established, they are transferred to the field for planting. Planting can occur at any time during the year; however, we use the best Silviculture practices to plant trees during optimum growth periods and seasonal conditions.

When will the first harvest take place? 

The first commercial harvest is normally in the 4th or 5th year after field-planting, but will depend on the growth and species of your trees as well as your own personal preference.

Can I redeem my investment? 

Yes - you can choose to harvest or sell your trees at any time. 

Do you offer any guarantees? 

Yes - we guarantee to replant any tree that is not growing in a satisfactory condition during the first three years after planting. 

Is flooding a problem? 

Flash flooding from storms may occasionally occur, but is not generally detrimental to the growth of the trees. Your trees are not planted in areas susceptible to long term flooding.

Are you cutting down existing forests to plant trees? 

No - we only plant trees in areas which have been previously deforested - primarily former pasture land.

When do I get my ownership documents?

Receipts are issued to you once your payment funds have cleared, providing proof of purchase. GPS certificates are issued once the saplings have been transferred to the field.

How politically stable is Costa Rica?

The World Bank has given Costa Rica an excellent bill of overall political and economic health. At its annual conference in El Salvador, the bank lauded the country as possessing “one of the most stable and robust” democracies in Latin America. It went on to praise Costa Rica’s “healthy economic growth rate” and “some of the best social indicators” on the continent. 

Does Costa Rica suffer from hurricanes? 

Technically, Costa Rica is situated in the hurricane belt; however, due to it being so far south it is extremely rare that hurricanes are ever a problem.

Are forest fires a problem? 

Forest fires are not normally a problem in the humid tropics due to the moisture in the air. Appropriate measures are taken to prevent forest fires by removing weeds and vegetation on the ground level before the dry season. Fire breaks are built between fields and 24 hour surveillance is provided by our resident foresters. 

How can diseases be mitigated? 

Disease causing mortality is generally caused by bad management. Ethical Forestry pride themselves on their stringent management procedures.  Your trees are constantly monitored  by our on-site foresters and, in the unlikely event of there being a problem, appropriate action would be taken quickly.

What happens if a tree perishes? 

The most likely period of mortality or cull loss is during the first year after field planting due to natural causes. Our foresters will examine your trees frequently during this period and will promptly replace, at no charge to you, any tree that is not healthy within the first three years. Once the trees are past approximately three years of age, the average mortality rate is below 1%. However, if a tree is deemed to be growing incorrectly, we simply mill it into timber. 

Who oversees the day to day care of my trees? 

Ethical Forestry’s on site management team. 

Who owns the land where my trees are planted? 

Ethical Forestry.

If you have any additional questions or general enquiries, please contact us using the number below. Alternatively, you can send us an email using enquiries@ethicalforestry.com