2016

Forest seedlings should be chosen well in advance

"Selection and purchase of high-quality forest seedlings need to be planned well in advance," says Laima Zvejniece, nursery "LVM Sēklas un stādi" Deputy Director of Production, pointing out that to grow seedlings (the process lasts on average from 1.5 to 2 years) not only the required amount, but also the species and regional origin of the seedlings are of key importance.

JSC "Latvia’s State Forests" (LVM) unit "LVM Sēklas un stādi" manages the most state-of-the-art nurseries in Europe, where high-quality seedlings are grown from specially selected seeds. These seedlings are used to restore forests in Latvia, as well as in Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania and Finland.

Thanks to the decades-long work of Latvian forest scientists in the field of selection, the seedlings that are grown from the material acquired in specialised seed plantations, grow significantly better and reach the size of mature forest much faster. For example, the pine reaches the age of felling already in 80-90 years, and the tree trunks are straighter. This, in turn, allows each forest owner to increase their forest future value by as much as 20-30%. Nurseries in Latvia have historically also been called the "tree schools", thus reminding people about wisdom, patience and the long-term investment needed to do this job.

Selection of high quality seedlings is an important prerequisite for successful reforestation. Transportation and planting of overgrown seedlings make the process more expensive; besides, their acclimatisation in the forest may be difficult. Therefore, "LVM Sēklas un stādi" ensures its customers, who have made a timely order of seedlings, delivery of quality seedlings that grow in better, thus saving the customers’ time and money.

"LVM Sēklas un stādi" nurseries have entered into contracts for the supply of seedlings for the entire amount of seedlings available in the nurseries for the spring 2016. In 2016 "LVM Sēklas un stādi" nurseries plan to sell more than 45 million seedlings, of which 22.3 million seedlings will be provided for afforestation of LVM managed areas, and 12.3 million seedlings will be sold to Latvian private forest owners, and the remaining share will be exported.

Orders for new seedlings will be registered in the autumn of 2016 or the spring of 2017. Deviations are possible in cases where under the contract the customer makes changes during the planting period; i.e., if the number of seedlings has been reduced, and these seedlings are then offered in the market for free trade. The owners who have submitted their order or have entered into a contract in a timely manner - at least 1 year before the planned delivery of seedlings - may be sure about the execution of their order.

The local forest owners appreciate the opportunity to select the seedlings of their choice, depending on their financial capacity and renewable areas; in turn, the Scandinavian customers value the frost resistance of the seedlings and their ability to grow in successfully.

"LVM Sēklas un stādi" nurseries offer different types of seedlings:

• Bare root seedlings - seedlings with an open root system, which is not specially formed. These seedlings have a limited time for planting, there is a possibility that the roots might dry out, and therefore these are the cheapest seedlings.
• Bare root seedlings with an improved root system - seedlings with an open, specially created root ball. The possibility of roots drying out is limited, they have a good potential of growing in, as well as lower tending costs during the first year. However, even these seedlings have a limited time for planting.
• Container plants – seedlings with a closed, compact root system, which is contained in the soil (peat) substrate. Container plants can be easily and efficiently planted almost throughout the year, and these plants do not dry out during the transportation and planting process. Another advantage of container plants is that the seedlings during the first year are already partially provided with the necessary nutrients, and thus the seedlings grow faster.
• The local forest owners appreciate the opportunity to select the seedlings of their choice, depending on their financial capacity and renewable areas; in turn, the Scandinavian customers value the frost resistance of the seedlings and their ability to grow in successfully.

JSC "Latvia’s State Forests" invites all forest owners to think about reforestation well in advance, not only planning the amount of seedlings, but also the preferred species and regional origin of the seedlings.