Sustainable forestry of silver birch in Finland
Koivu-PPP
The interest in the cultivation of silver birch has recently increased in Finland and more widely in the Nordic countries. The cultivation of silver birch has been very limited in recent decades; only about 3% of the annual planted area has been planted with birch. The prevailing forest management practices in Finland in commercial forests have favoured spruce and pine, which have been more productive and valuable than broadleaved trees. In addition, the high risk of cervids browsing damage to seedlings has discouraged the establishment of silver birch plantations.
Increasing tree species diversity by increasing the proportion of broadleaved trees improves forest diversity, vitality and resilience, making forests more adaptable to environmental change. Indeed, we are in a situation where interest in broadleaves, especially silver birch, has increased in Finland.
In plant production, there is pressure to replace peat partially or completely with other alternative growing media. In birch seedling production, plant health issues are becoming more important as production volumes increase. However, there is a lack of up-to-date information on the production and cultivation of silver birch seedlings. Changes in silviculture, such as the use of small-sized seedlings, soil preparation methods and the faster growth of birch seedlings, have led to an accelerated development of cultivated silver birch plantations. In order to take advantage of this positive development, up-to-date forest management regimes for growing silver birch are needed.
Sustainable Cultivation of Silver Birch in Finland (KOIVU) -project has two work packages.
Work Package 1: Seedling production
• Investigates peat-replacing substrates in birch seedling production, the effect of substrates on the health of birch seedlings, and their success in the field.
• Explores alternatives to chemical plant protection.
Work Package 2: Silviculture of silver birch
• Investigates the planting times, regeneration results, early development and juvenile stand management of silver birch.
• Investigates the significance and cost impacts of cervid damage by studying the risk of cervid damage and the effects of damage on the early development of silver birch stands, and by preparing recommendations for measures to protect against cervid damage.
• Develops sustainable forest management regimes for regeneration, juvenile stand management, thinnings and rotation period.
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) funded KOIVU project, coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), involves 12 partners: Stora Enso Oyj, Metsä Group, UPM-Kymmene Oyj, Koskisen Oyj, Tornator Oyj, Siemen Forelia Oy, Partaharjun Puutarha Oy, Mellanå Plant Oy Ab, Pohjan Taimi Oy, Kekkilä Oy, Lallemand Finland Oy and Maa- ja metsätaloustuottajain keskusliitto ry (MTK).
