We will help safeguard the health and vitality of your forest

Tips for safeguarding the health of forests

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  Use domestic tree species in regeneration

  

  Use domestic tree species in regeneration

  For forest regeneration, we supply forest owners with species that occur naturally in Finland – pine, spruce and silver birch. This allows us to ensure the preservation of the forest nature to which other domestic species have also adapted. The lushness of the growth spot affects which tree species are most suited for it, which in turn affects the quality of wood.

  We always supply seedlings of the highest possible quality. The growth of domesticated trees is 10–30% better than that of naturally generated trees. Breeding has also improved the quality of pine in particular, resulting in straighter and more slender branches. Sawn timber made of trees like this is also of higher quality. Moreover, the genome of domesticated seeds originates in our natural forests.

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  Grow mixed forests in suitable places

  

  Grow mixed forests in suitable places

  Mixed forests mean that coniferous forests also have broadleaved trees, and broadleaved forests also have coniferous trees. Mixed forests are more resistant to harmful factors than forests consisting of a single tree species, and they also have higher biodiversity. When establishing a new forest, you can order mixed cultivation of pine and spruce from Metsä Group. This means planting spruce and either planting or sowing pine in the regeneration area. Broadleaved trees usually spread to regeneration areas naturally. In the later stages of forest management, it must be ensured that the forest stays mixed. Metsä Group’s forest specialist will help you choose the right tree species.

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  Ensure that young stand management and thinning is carried out on time

  

  Ensure that young stand management and thinning is carried out on time

  It is advisable to take care of young stand management and the thinning of young forests on time and in accordance with the recommendations. Young stand management creates space for the highest-quality trees to grow. Trees grow quickly when they are seedlings, so the correct timing of young stand management is important.

  When thinning is carried out on time, it strengthens the tree trunks, producing sturdy log wood. It also makes the roots stronger, making the trees more resistant to wind. Trunks that have become thin are very prone to breaking or falling under the weight of snow. When possible, the edges of regeneration areas should also be planned in accordance with the prevailing wind directions to minimise the number of trees brought down by wind.

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  Act fast to prevent spruce bark beetle damage

  

  Act fast to prevent spruce bark beetle damage

  Although spruce bark beetles normally only affect weak spruce trees, in larger numbers, they can also damage healthy spruce stands. You can recognise damage caused by spruce bark beetles in trunks by small holes with dripping resin and sawdust. When you notice the damage, you must act fast and remove the trees damaged by spruce bark beetles from the forest within two weeks. If the damage is not found, the trees will have withered by the autumn.
  
  The Finnish Forest Damages Prevention Act also states that damaged spruce trees with a butt-end diameter of more than 10 cm must be removed from forests if in excess of 10 cubic metres per hectare. Damaged pine trees must be removed if in excess of 20 cubic metres per hectare.
  
  Individual trees that are already dead should be left in the forest to increase biodiversity. Spruce bark beetles do not reproduce in dead wood.

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  Stump treatment protects against root rot

  

  Stump treatment protects against root rot

  As a result of global warming, the damage caused by root rot can also be more prevalent in spruce and pine forests and affect forests further north. Currently, root rot is estimated to cause approximately 50 million euros’ worth of damage annually in Finland. Harvesting when the ground is unfrozen includes stump treatment to prevent root rot. Harvesting entrepreneurs at Metsä Group’s felling operations perform the treatment in accordance with their guidelines. In Finland, the stump treatment is included in the price of the wood Metsä Group pays to the forest owner.

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  Take care of biodiversity

  

  Take care of biodiversity

  Taking care of the biodiversity of forest nature is part of good forest management. You can take care of biodiversity by preserving valuable habitats, occurrences of endangered species and nesting trees of birds of prey. Broadleaved trees naturally occur somewhat rarely in Finnish forests, and increasing their number improves biodiversity. Many forest species are dependent on decaying wood, so it is important to preserve dead wood in forest work. We increase the amount of dead wood by leaving retention trees and creating high biodiversity stumps. Buffer zones around natural waterways prevent runoff, while providing favourable nesting conditions for many species.