Basic retention during thinning and other measures

Consideration at thinning

Thinning significantly influences the character of the future forest. Therefore, it is important to think ahead and create good conditions for many species to continue thriving in the thinned forest. By planning for effective basic retention during thinning, we also create better opportunities for functional considerations during the future regeneration felling. 

In order to preserve the biodiversity there is a need for variation in the forest landscape. Our consideration when thinning varies depending on the forest type. In similar, well-cleared young forests and heavily thinned older forests, we create increased variation through thinning. In unmanaged thinning stands, it is about preserving and sometimes enhancing nature values.

During thinning, we leave conservation patches, just as we do during regeneration felling. This includes, for example, wet hollow, rock outcrops, steep slopes, and  ravines. It is also important to create a multi-layered forest with a rich presence of deciduous trees near waterways.

Examples of specific considerations objects include always preserving willows, rowans, and alders. We also preserve conservation trees, such as large and old trees, as well as trees that can develop into these kind of trees. As a rule, we preserve all dead trees. In areas dominated by one tree species, we leave divergent trees. If, for example, there is spruces in a pine forest, we leave the spruces.

Consideration at other measures

Examples of basic retention during soil scarification include avoiding it in wet hollows and ensuring that we do not drive over them. Additionally, we do not perform soil scarification close to retained protective buffer zones near waterways.

Important considerations during pre-commercial thinning involve preserving willows, rowans, and aspens, as well as leaving a significant number of deciduous trees in the buffer zones near waterways. Wet hollows and smaller swampy forest areas with moist soil are not cleared.

We also leave consideration at road construction  and other activites. In road constructions it is crucial to plan so that the road does not pass through areas with high nature values. Protecting streams, lakes, and wetlands is also important.