2015

From seedling to forest plantation – trade secret

As the seasonal care for young forest stands gets under way, one may be curious to know how renewal chores are commencing. Zemgale Forestry specialist in this field, Edite Jankovska, in her 17-year career, has planted over one million trees: ‘’I’m filled with joy when I’m out and about in the woods, to see the young trees – just a while back they were barely sprouting, now they stand tall.”

Forest renewal experts pay close attention to having the seedlings, nurtured in one of the JS ‘’Latvijas valsts meži”/LVM/Latvian State Forests’ tree nurseries, find their proper place in state forests, that they grow big and strong. The expert’s job begins in the clearing where the soil is properly prepared; the planting itself follows, and constant observation and special care until the stand reaches a specific height. Forest district supervisors are the ones deciding what type of tree is to be planted, and when renewal is required. The number of seedlings must be determined, a cost estimate, contracts drawn up with service providers and tree nurseries. ‘’We usually decide in August which seedlings will be needed, and their numbers for next year’s planting period, and come September, October we sign contracts with the nurseries. By December, we also engage the service personnel, who will be preparing the soil, but later, in late January, we announce a tender for the planters,” Jankovska informs. 

Conducting the job with a great sense of responsibility, the result is a vital, beautiful forest. Therefore, the quality of work by forest district personnel and service providers is examined and rated.

‘’We head out for the woods to check whether the money spent and the quality of the task coincide, whether it is congruous with the natural surroundings.We oversee the experimental grounds, measure height, count the actual number of young stands,” Jankovska explains, in outlining the duties at hand in the spring.

Spring is the season for renewal of forests. LVM at this time holds its FOREST DAYS, giving school children and their teachers the opportunity to get to know the forest better, and the care that it requires. LVM, with this special event, attempts to foster greater respect and consideration for the forest from the community. Participants are offered the chance  to join the specialists in planting seedlings, put out bird feeders and pick up litter. ‘’ Some time ago during our Forest Days, an odd thing occurred when a school teacher was holding a seedling ready to plant, and watched as a big truck with a heavy load of timber drove by. ‘You see how they are chopping down trees and destroying our forests!,’ she exclaimed. I replied by pointing out that she is clutching one of the ones that will take their place,” Jankovska remembers.

Forest renewal continues in state-owned territories run by LVM. The numbers are quite impressive: 23 million top quality trees planted to 7,600 hectares. Crews are about half-way to the finish line - caregiving chores for about 20,000 hectares of young stands have been conducted.