Early cleaning is performed when pine or spruce seedlings reach a height of approximately one metre, which is usually 4–8 years after planting. Early cleaning is usually not required in cultivated birch stands.
In early cleaning broadleaved trees that are taller than the conifers and that have sprouted from stumps or roots are removed. Those that have germinated from seed and are shorter than the conifer trees, especially silver birches, are left sparsely. The distance between trees must be at least one metre.
In connection with early cleaning, Metsä Group leaves one protective thicket per three-hectare section.
Properly timed early cleaning is beneficial
In early cleaning, we apply a pricing model based on the difficulty of young stand management, which rewards the forest owner for timely forest management.
It is possible to receive government-funded subsidies for early cleaning. Our forest specialists can tell you more about subsidies, and they can also handle the related notifications and applications. We apply for all subsidies directly for the forest owner.
If you are an owner member of Metsä Group, you can use bonuses from wood sales and forest management services to pay for early cleaning. Forest management services also earns you an extra bonus.