MetsäTV

The growth of the trees decreases when forests become denser. In order to safeguard the growth, too dense a forest needs to be thinned. Depending on the site and the tree species, two or three thinnings may be carried out before regeneration. The forest owner may gain substantial revenue from thinnings. Expert: Marja Kolari, Procurement Supervisor

Finnish forest owners may receive an environmental state subsidy to compensate for valuable natural habitats which should be excluded from logging by law. Expert: Timo Vesanto, Forest Conservation Specialist, Forestry Centre Pirkanmaa.

Planting forests is well worth the trouble, and forest owners can also do it themselves. Expert: Markku Niittynen, Logger

As the growth of the trees in a forest slows down or the trees becomes of sufficient age and size, it may be regenerated. Regeneration felling is comparable to harvesting, so that they also result in the biggest logging revenues. According to the Finnish Forest Act, new stands must be created to replace all the trees removed. Expert: Minna Rautalin, Education Expert

Natural regeneration means that, instead of planting or sowing new trees, they are allowed to griw by natural means. In order that this can happen, special seedling trees are left standing in connection with regeneration felling to provide the seed for new trees. If good seed years are forecast and the soil is prepared, pine may be naturally regenerated on poor forest soils. Expert: Lassi Hakulinen, Forest Management Inspector

The Forest Biodiversity Programme METSO helps forest owners to safeguard sections of their forest that contain habitats and structural features important for forest biotopes and threatened species. The protection can be of different degrees and is voluntary, though it is also possible to receive compensation for it. Expert: Jukka Ruutiainen, Forest Nature Adviser, Forestry Centre Pirkanmaa.