In the case of Canada, most timber lots are owned by the government (Crown land), and the right to harvest* it is awarded by auction (I think). Harvesters must

In the case of Canada, most timber lots are owned by the government (Crown land), and the right to harvest* it is awarded by auction (I think). Harvesters must also plant new trees. How is it profitable? There is a lot of land. You can drive for many hours down well-maintained logging roads through the BC interior and never see a building anywhere, or even come across any other cars. * This is a point of contention for the US government because they feel that the Canadian lumber industry is government-subsidized and unfairly competes with US lumber producers. As a result, the US applies import taxes on Canadian lumber.