"Once 25 years have passed, the first thinning follows, from which one can already obtain pulpwood, but one should not overdo it either," the expert adds, describing this process as combining pleasure with business.

However, the forester believes that in Latvian conditions, pine forests could be harvested once they reach 70 years of age.

"Here again is the dilemma. For example, the felling age for pine is 101 years. That is stipulated in the regulations. For a long time in Latvia, a normal forestry cycle, provided there are normal seedlings and good care, has been sufficient at 70 years. In my opinion, the forestry harvest can be collected after 70 years," says the expert, adding that the lifespan of a pine was used as an example, but a similar situation exists with other tree species as well.

Speaking about tree felling timeframes, the forester also directed a fair share of criticism towards the Nature Conservation Agency, pointing out that too many people participate in influencing decisions who, in reality, have minimal or no contact with the forest.

"I can only believe in what I have verified and seen in practice. If this theoretical reasoning becomes practice, in my view, it will be a disaster. Not just for Latvia," says Kaspars Šuikovskis critically regarding the European Green Deal and restrictions of a similar nature.

"Latvian forests are not going anywhere. The forest area has doubled since the 1920s and 1930s [of the last century]. If it was something like 27% back then, it is now 53%," the expert concludes, expressing his confidence in the future of the forests.