Spruce, Pine and Birch (2006-2019)
The deliverance of seedlings to forestry for Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch (Betula spp.) is presented for the years 2006-2019 for Norway, Sweden and Finland (Figure 4).
Picea abies
Figure 4
Number of million seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch (Betula spp.) delivered to the forestry/planted in each country and year. The category birch (Betula spp.) contains aggregated numbers for all species of birch where data were available. The low numbers of pine seedlings in Norway is due to the fact that pine traditionally has been regenerated naturally.
Pinus sylvestris
Natural regeneration of pine plant. Photo: John Yngvar Larsson/NIBIO.
Betula spp.
Birch with male and female flowers. Photo: Dan Aamild/NIBIO.
Forest for Climate Mitigation in Norway
In 2016 NOK 33 mill was allocated to climate mitigation measures within the forest sector in Norway. The funds were divided into three different uses; denser planting of forest, fertilization and breeding. There was a shortage of spruce seedlings in Norway the same year. Political aim and increased funding for climate mitigation measures, including denser planting of forest, caused a growing demand for seedlings.
In Sweden, scots pine has steadily increased in use during the last decade. One reason for this is probably the decline in reforestation by natural regeneration that has been noted during the same period. Drought and forest fires in 2018 caused low reforestation activities that year and destruction of millions of seedlings.