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Soil preparation improves seedling growth

High-quality soil preparation is a requirement for successful forest regeneration and is one of the main tasks in forestry. Soil preparation creates favourable growing conditions for seedlings, getting the growth of a new forest off to a good start.

Benefits of successful soil preparation:

  • makes cultivation work easier
  • boosts early seedling growth
  • improves seedling survival
  • prevents damage caused by pine weevils
  • reduces competition with ground vegetation
  • improves the profitability of wood production long into the future.

How is the soil prepared?

In soil preparation, the surface layer of forest land is broken to ensure the seedlings to be planted or the seeds to be sown get the best possible growth medium in terms of humidity and heat conditions. In soil preparation in heath forests, mounds are formed that have a surface layer of mineral soil such as sand, fine sand or silt. The nutrient-rich humus soil remains inside the mound, and when it breaks down, it releases nutrients for use by the seedlings. In peatlands, the surface of the mound consists of decomposed peat.

As for soil preparation methods, we prefer inverting, where the soil is turned upside down in the same place from which it was removed. In inverting, the mineral soil is only exposed to the extent necessary for the growth of the seedlings. It therefore creates good growth conditions for seedlings, is environmentally friendly and reduces the need for future young stand management, and thus costs.

Soil preparation is carried out at the latest in the summer following regeneration felling. We carry out soil preparation with an excavator (mounding and scalping) or a forestry tractor (harrowing).

Our local forest specialist can choose the best soil preparation method for your forest based on soil type, moisture conditions, regeneration method and tree species.

Request an offer on forest management

Request an offer on forest management from your local forest specialist. The forest specialist knows which forest management work needs to be carried out in your forest. Forest management includes for example the establishment of a new forest and young stand management. You can also request an offer in the Metsäverkko service. These services are only available in Finland.

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Biodiversity is taken into account in soil preparation

We keep the environmental impacts as low as possible through careful planning and by using the lightest soil preparation methods possible. When preparing the soil, we avoid unnecessary breaking up of the soil surface, consider sites valuable for biodiversity and leave buffer zones along waterways where no soil preparation is carried out.

Fallen decaying trees, retention tree groups, biodiversity stumps and protective thickets in the regeneration areas are noted and excluded from soil preparation.

If a more permanent drainage effect is sought for a site, we plan the drainage repair and the necessary water protection actions on a site-by-site basis.

Frequently asked questions

Why is soil preparation important in forest regeneration?

Soil preparation improves the growing conditions of the seedlings and seeds, providing them with the best possible growing medium in terms of moisture and temperature conditions. Soil preparation increases the profitability of wood production for a long time to come.

When is soil preparation carried out?

Soil preparation is carried out at the latest in the summer following regeneration felling.

What methods are used in soil preparation?

The preparation method is selected according to the type of soil, humidity conditions, regeneration method and tree species. In heath forests, inverting is preferred, as it is environmentally friendly and reduces the future costs of young stand management. 

How is biodiversity taken into account in soil preparation?

Retention tree groups, biodiversity stumps and protective thickets in the regeneration area are excluded from soil preparation, and decaying fallen trees are retained during soil preparation where possible. Every effort is made to disturb the ground as little as possible.