In light of the debate over the benefits of 'wokabaut somils' (small portable sawmills) in Papua New Guinea, this paper evaluated their economic and ecological sustainability. Drawing on the few available case studies, the author argued that wokabaut somils could only contribute to widespread sustainable timber harvesting if the individual or communal owners' interests in maximising immediate profits were balanced with conservation of forests for future use. This balance could be promoted via management planning, technical training, foresterial interventions, opportunities to process wood locally and better access to markets.