Nothofagus nitida

Nothofagus wood is commercially valued as an all-purpose timber in Chile, but since it is more readily available in low elevation forests, the high elevation stands have not been subjected to fire or to large scale logging operations. Between the years of 1986-2001 many native forests of Chile were displaced for plantations. This conversion of native forest to plantations of non-native species has caused adverse ecological impacts (Heilmayr et al. 2016). These impacts are likely to have had a negative impact on not only mature stands of N. nitida, but also seedlings and juvenile individuals; both of which require specific light conditions to grow. In addition, the last clearance of native forests may be an indicator why this species has a narrow distribution. The net annualised rate of deforestation was 0.5 percent between 2001 and 2011. Dramatic declines in the use of native timber in industrial applications, as well as declines in the rate of forest conversion during the 2001-2011 period, and changes in forestry policies, suggest that plantations are beginning to ease demand pressure on native forests (Heilmayr et al. 2016).

The species is found within seven ex situ collections worldwide (BGCI 2017). It has a USDA Hardiness rating of Zone 8, allowing it to be fairly easy to cultivate in some temperate regions (Trees and Shrubs online 2017). This species could certainly be cultivated in many other temperate regions of the world. The range of this species includes 15 national parks and reserves from north to south.