off to a good start. When managed well, these seedlings will be sturdy logs in 60–80 years’ time. This makes the intergenerational nature of forestry visible. The stand we are in, named Terrimäki, went through a regeneration felling last autumn, which yielded 640 cubic metres of wood from an area of two hectares. After the regeneration felling, the area was planted with spruce seedlings, whose growth will be monitored closely for the next few years. Ensuring continuity is important for both forest owners and forestry. In Finland, the Forest Act – which requires a forest to be replanted with a new seedling stand after a regeneration felling – ensures that there is enough wood for future generations. Each felled tree is replaced with four to five new seedlings. Metsä Group delivers more than 30 million seedlings a year to be planted in Finnish forests. The planting and sowing rely on domestic tree species. This ensures that the living conditions of the natural forest-dwelling species are retained. The most common tree species are spruce, pine and birch. For Matti Eerola, who went to an agricultural school, forests have been a source of great interest since he was a boy. What is remarkable is that, felling excluded, all
COMMENT “It’s great to be part of the chain of generations that has managed these forests. A well-managed forest is beautiful.” Hanna Eerola, forest owner
“This is where we started from.” Matti Eerola holds a photograph from 40 years ago to show how proper management of a forest can support excellent growth.
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