As the weather turns springlike, AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) is beginning its forest regeneration season. The first spruce seedlings have been planted in the LVM Zemgale region – in the Tukums forest district. In total, this season the plan is to regenerate forest across 14 000 hectares by planting and sowing, putting in 32 million top-quality forest tree seedlings grown in LVM's own nurseries.

The forest regeneration season runs from spring until mid-June. As usual, the largest share of the work will be done with hand tools – across 12 000 hectares – while on 2 000 hectares the planting and sowing will be carried out mechanically.

Dace Ozola, LVM Zemgale region silviculture production manager, explains:

“This year in the Zemgale region a record volume has to be planted with hand tools, a little over 1 700 hectares. It will be a demanding season, so we hope the weather will be favourable.

Spring arrived very quickly this year: at the beginning of March the whole of Latvia was still covered by a thick layer of snow, yet by mid-March it is already possible to plant forest. At the moment the weather is particularly well suited to regenerating forest by planting with hand tools. The soil has thawed, and the moisture that has soaked into it as the snow melts has a favourable effect on how well the planted seedlings take root. In such conditions it is best to plant trees with an open root system – bare-root stock – while later, when spring gives way to summery warm and dry conditions, container-grown seedlings should be planted.”

At the same time, mechanised planting has also begun in the Engure district of the Zemgale region. This year the plan is to regenerate forest on 1700 hectares by mechanised planting. This volume of work will be entrusted to 13 units of machinery – excavators fitted with a special planting head.

Immediately after Easter, LVM also plans to begin mechanised sowing. The work is scheduled to be completed in 45 days, sowing around 100 kilograms of pine seed. Sowing will regenerate forest areas in the LVM Austrumvidzeme, Ziemeļlatgale, Dienvidlatgale, Vidusdaugava and Rietumvidzeme regions, covering a combined 300 hectares.