Sharp increase in delivered deciduous plants in Sweden: "A Clear trend"
When Svenska Skogsplantor sums up its deliveries for 2024, there is an increase in the number of deciduous seedlings of as much as 51 percent compared to the previous year.
2.1 million deciduous seedlings were delivered in 2024, compared to 1.4 million the year before.
The reasons for the increase in deciduous plant deliveries are believed to be a willingness on the part of forest owners to protect themselves against storm damage, spruce bark beetle infestations and a generally changed climate. Svenska Skogsplantor is part of Sveaskog, and the state-owned forest company's own need for birch and deciduous seedlings largely drives deliveries.
Demand for tree species other than pine and spruce is increasing, according to Svenska Skogsplantor in a press release.
"This trend is clear and we have gone from growing seven to fourteen tree species in-house in recent years. When we produce new good seed material, we plant plantations of additional tree species so that we are equipped for the future," says Marcus Helletun, Production Manager at Svenska Skogsplantor.
The supply of processed deciduous seed is currently lower than demand, which limits production opportunities. A research project, in which Sveaskog and Skogforsk participate, was therefore initiated in early 2024 to secure future access to seed and seedling material from Swedish deciduous trees.
Autumn planting is increasing
In 2024, Svenska Skogsplantor delivered a total of 131 million seedlings, the same number as in 2023.
Autumn planting in areas with a risk of early summer drought increased and Svenska Skogsplantor's customers in northern Sweden demanded larger seedlings than before. During the autumn, 30 million seedlings were delivered, an increase of two million seedlings compared to autumn 2023.
"We have invested more in autumn planting to avoid the early summer drought in eastern Svealand. This is about 1.4 million seedlings. They have been treated in the nurseries and we will treat them once more in the forest next autumn," says Börje Eriksson, forest manager at Sveaskog in Svealand.
Trend towards larger plants
In northern Sweden, more and more people are opting out of cover root plants in favor of medium-sized plants. The reason is said to be that more people want to plant plants that have a greater advantage over competing vegetation.
"We believe that the shift towards medium-sized plants will continue. The larger plant is more hardy and can be a good choice where it is more fertile or if there is a risk of pine weevil infestation," says Mia Gertzell, Marketing Manager at Svenska Skogsplantor.
Seedlings delivered in the autumn are taken directly from the nurseries when they are still growing. In the spring, seedlings are delivered frozen from stock.
"As long as the plants are frozen, they are quite hardy, but when they start to thaw or if they are delivered in growth, the risks increase quickly. It's like taking care of potted plants, it must not be too dry or too wet. The call to everyone who handles the plants is to be careful with plant care," says Marcus Helletun.
