500,000 cubic metres of retention trees annually 500,000 m 3
Four high biodiversity stumps per hectare 4
At least ten retention trees per hectare 10
According to Natural Resources Institute Finland, an average of more than 500,000 cubic metres of wood is left annually in Finnish forests as retention.
When felling trees, we leave four high biodiversity stumps per hectare in the forest. This is a voluntary practice for forest owners, and we agree on it separately in each case.
We leave at least ten retention trees per hectare on each felling site. When the reten- tion trees later die and begin to decay, they offer habitats for numerous species.
“Most owners make sure they establish a new forest as soon as possible, even though they know they will not be getting income from final felling during their lifetime.” Clearing saw at work in the winter When Junkkala began to actively manage his forests, he noticed what many others in his situation had. The more he worked in the forest, the more interested he became in forest management. “I like forests to be well managed. When I am on the road these days, untended forests catch my eye more than they used to.” He does most of the clearing saw work himself but commis- sions Metsä Group to take care of tasks like forest renewal and growth-enhancing fertilisation. “On a grain farm, forest planting coincides with the most hectic time of the year. Also, it is not economical to transport only your own logs. However, the clearing saw is great if you want to do useful, profitable work.” Although clear-cutting is usually associated with the summer months, Junkkala clears his forests in the winter. “I am too lazy to go clearing forest in the heat of July. I have a lot more energy for it after I have rested and eaten well at Christmas. In January, I cleared 20 hectares in all.” Nature management is part of forest management Junkkala and Reko stop at the top of the hill. “During our elk hunt last autumn, the guy next to me saw a lynx here,” says Junkkala. The game camera has also spotted a bear and a herd of wild boar. The Finnish forests are homes to many other species, around 20,000 by some estimates. In commercial forests their habitats are created and also protected through nature management, which is a crucial part of forest management.
“We respect biodiversity, such as by leaving protective thickets, retention trees and high biodiversity stumps in the forest,” says Reko. Protective thickets cover approximately hundred square metres and are excluded from forest management measures. One thicket is left for every new three hectares of forest. The thickets provide protection and nutrition for birds and mammals, safeguarding the habitats of forest species. As their name suggests, retention trees are trees left in the forest. After they die, they turn into decaying wood, which preserves forest biodiversity. High biodiversity stumps are trees cut at a height of two to four metres. They are usually broadleaved species. As they decay, they offer nesting trees to forest birds, saprotrophs and insects. Many protect forests voluntarily In Finland, forest use is guided by legislation but also by the re- quirements of forest certification. Forest certification tells con- sumers that the wood or wood product originates from sustain- ably managed forests. “About 90 per cent of our commercial forests are PEFC certified. FSC® certified forests account for around 10 per cent in Finland, and their share is continuing to increase,” says Reko. Many forest owners protect their forests voluntarily. This can mean they do not fell trees in areas of special personal significance, like good mushroom grounds, and they may also save trees of special shapes. Junkkala does no felling in a small mire on his estate, and at a steep rock face. “The cliff is really impressive. It is nearly vertical, with gnarled pine trees growing at the top. I often go skiing there in the winter.” Reko points out that valuable Finnish nature sites can also be offered for protection through the METSO programme, which
Forest provides financial security and offers a source of recreation.
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