Historically, the most significant Prince Edward
Island wood products were ships produced in communities
across the Island. During the early part
of the nineteenth century, the Island’s natural
cover of oak, white elm, birch, cedar, red and white
pine, beech, maple, hackmatack (juniper), and black
spruce was harvested and converted to schooners,
brigantines, brigs, barks, and gaff-rigged sloops. These
ships were then used for coastal trade, import and export
trade, and fishing. Many communities around Malpeque Bay,
including Princetown (now Malpeque) and Port Hill, were
especially active and successful in this industry.
Today,
the forestry industry on Prince Edward Island still makes
an important contribution to the Island’s economy.
Over the period between 1991 and 1994, the average annual
value of the forest products sector was over $35 million.
In 1997, the total value of forest products was
$19,052,062, with domestic lumber worth $14,500,000 and
value-added sawmilling worth $5,700,000. The most
important products were sawlogs, worth $10,729,040, 82
percent of which remained in Prince Edward Island.
Together, fuelwood and energy chips were valued at
$3,399,859.
Approximately 30
sawmills operate on the Island, but only a fraction of
these are commercial ventures producing graded lumber for
wholesale and retail markets. In 1997, 39 percent of
Island roundwood pulpwood (total value $2,244,928) was
destined for Quebec. 32 percent went to Newfoundland and
the remainder to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The vast
majority (approximately 80 percent) of sawlogs were
processed on the Island.
Prince Edward Island’s wood products sector is
becoming increasingly diverse. It is comprised of
seventy-five businesses employing approximately 400
people. These companies use local and imported wood to
produce kiln-dried lumber, windows, doors, mouldings,
flooring, trusses, pallets, cabinets, furniture, toys,
gazebos, garden furniture, and other unique goods.
Flooring manufacturers market their products on Prince
Edward Island as well as in the Atlantic region and
western Canada. Island truss, moulding and window
manufacturers sell their products as far away as Japan.
