In Quebec, the socio-environmental controversy in forestry is still in full swing in spite of the changes made to laws and forestry practices over the last 20 years. We have hypothesized that this controversy continues because certain aspects remain hidden, and therefore are not integrated into decision-making processes. We have posited a metaphorical tree that analyzes in a systematic way all of the components of the problem at hand. The branches demonstrate that the controversy persists because various contradictory ideas are espoused on the issues of protection of the environment, economic development, social aspects of integrated resources management and public land tenure. The tree trunk relates to the two contradictory scientific theories about boreal ecosystem and to the different ethics of the environment. The roots of the tree relate to the imaginary forest. Finally, we note that actors are not able to resolve the controversy the moment they no longer perceive the legitimate character of a point of view that differs from theirs. The complex thinking of E. Morin is used to analyze the controversy in all its components.