2018

LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility Starts the Cone-drying Process

With the arrival of the New Year, the intensive cone-drying process has started in LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility. Starting from 3 January, everyone interested is kindly invited to visit the Facility to see with their own eyes what this process looks like. When in the premises, the visitors will feel the smell of wood and hear continuous crackling that comes from the drying cylinders.

LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility is among the oldest cone drying facilities in Latvia, and it stands out with the fact that it has preserved the original drying equipment, which is 100 years old and still performs its functions. The Facility has been included in the European Heritage List, and in 2008 it was also awarded the status of an unusual cultural heritage.

The Cone Drying Facility is surprising not only because of the technology it uses, but also for its rich history. When in the 19th century forests in North Vidzeme were damaged by a widespread fire, a cone drying facility was built for restoring the forests. Its task was to provide the necessary amount of seeds for the restoration of the damaged areas. The Cone Drying Facility worked continuously from 1895 when it was opened until the 70s of the 20th century. After almost a quarter of a century of downtime, the operation of LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility was restarted in 1992.

Cone drying is a time consuming and very exciting process that begins with bringing the cones to the third floor of the Drying Facility. Afterwards, the cones are measured with a special, almost 100-year-old appliance and poured into rolls made of metal bars. For a week the heavy rolls are turned over 4 to 8 times daily, and employees check the drying temperature on a regular basis to ensure that it does not exceed 48 degrees. The scattered seeds are soaked and cleaned of any cone impurities. The seeds are then dried again until completely pure and fine seeds are obtained.

It is expected that the cone-drying process will last until 15 March. It is advisable to coordinate your visit to the historic building in advance with Ivars Palejs, the Manager of the Cone Drying Facility (tel. +371 26478620).