Typically, owners of smaller forests are members of Skovdyrkerne (Danish Forestry Association). Casper Pleidrup from Skovdyrkerne has recently visited the forests to check the status of some of the private forest projects within the LIFE 4Forest initiative. Skovdyrkerne are one of LIFE 4Forest's 21 partners.
Heath Plantation in Rind
In Rind Plantation, a Norway spruce stand from 1957 has never thrived well, according to Ole Callesen, who is the chairman of the plantation company that owns Rind.
"When the forester from Skovdyrkerne encouraged us to join LIFE 4Forest, we saw an opportunity to convert the soon-to-be 70-year-old Norway spruce to other tree species and try a new planting method with planting holes under the canopy of the old stand. We are open to experimenting with new methods and curious to see if it's a viable and profitable management approach on the poor soils of the heath.”
The LIFE 4Forest project has covered the costs of plants and the planting process under the shelter of Norway spruce. Ole Callesen is pleased with the results so far and the process, which has not been complicated due to the involvement of EU funds. It has progressed as any other project carried out by the Foresters in the plantation.
For this vegetation, Sitka spruce, larch, and grand fir have been used, along with 10% various deciduous trees. All species have established well, and Ole Callesen is particularly eager to see how the grand fir performs in the long term.
>> Read also: Examples of afforestation for close-to-nature forest management
Production Forest With an Eye for Nature
Ole Callesen himself owns two shares in the plantation company and the shareholders will follow how a more close-to-nature management of the forest unfolds.
"We need wood, and therefore we also cultivate the forest as a production forest. However, the management must take nature into consideration, and our company is well accustomed to that. I would estimate that 80% of our forest is already managed with great consideration for nature. Therefore, a project like LIFE 4Forest and close-to-nature forest management is interesting for us to be a part of," says Ole Callesen.
>> Read also: Does Close-to-Nature Forest Management Pay?
Plantations near Bryrup/Hjerl Heath
Scenery Rejuvenation
Forestry officer Casper Pleidrup has visited two other forests near Bryrup/Hjerl Heath, which also holds projects under the LIFE 4Forest. Here is a stand of Norway spruce converted in narrow belts approximately the width of the tree height.
The old stand protects the new planting while the conversion into new high-yielding and stable tree species, such as Douglas fir takes place. This protection lasts for a shorter period than the usual way where diameter felling takes place in the upper storey for many years. This is done to ensure the forest climate in the initial conversion phase on this harsh locality.
Subsidies for Clearing and Planting
In another stand, subsidies have been granted for clearing in naturally regenerated conifers – including clearing in larch.
Below is an example of planting in gaps in naturally regenerated conifers. In such cases, support is provided only for the planting of larch, Scots pine, grand fir, noble fir, Douglas fir or deciduous trees.
The Goal Is a Productive and More Stable Forest
The LIFE 4Forest project concludes in 2028, where the results are compiled into experience reports, but the joint plantation will continue close-to-nature forest management on the site with guidance from Skovdyrkerne.
Hopefully, all species in Rind will thrive, and if the conversion succeeds, and result in a productive and more stable forest with several management options.
The article is written by Janne Bavnhøj