93 million seedlings from SCA in 2025

The total volume of seedlings delivered by SCA in 2025 was slightly lower than in previous years.

"Normally we deliver around 100 million seedlings. However, in 2025, deliveries were affected, among other things, by the fact that we planted fewer contorta pine seedlings than planned and by the weather. The spring was cold, delaying the planting season. Then, July brought very high temperatures, and many chose to postpone planting", explains Thomas Vestman, nursery manager.

Deliveries to private forest owners remained robust during 2025, amounting to 49.2 million seedlings. Out of the total delivery volume of 93.2 million, 55.8 million were pine seedlings, while 27.5 million were spruce seedlings.

Simplified deliveries of frozen seedlings

SCA’s deliveries of frozen seedlings, packaged in corrugated boxes, totaled 3.6 million. Most of these went to forest owners who opted to handle the planting themselves.

"In recent years, we've collaborated with SCA Skog's marketing organization to streamline delivery methods for seedlings provided by our wood purchasers to forest owners who choose to plant themselves. Frozen seedlings are now shipped directly to the forest owner's home via a logistics service provider. This simplifies the work for the SCAs’s wood purchasers and saves time for the forest owners, who no longer need to travel to collect their seedlings," explains Kent Jonsson, business developer at NorrPlant.

Sawdust in seedling trays

During the year, NorrPlant completely phased out the use of styrofoam beads as protection for seeds during the germination process in seedling trays.
"We now use only sawdust, which is significantly more environmentally friendly. The sawdust provides the seed with excellent protection from sunlight during germination and helps maintain the peat’s moisture in the container," says Kent.

In 2026, NorrPlant expects to deliver just under 100 million seedlings.
"We're anticipating a normal year. Since seedling orders are typically placed a year in advance, we don’t foresee the storm Johannes, that hit northern Sweden in December, having a significant impact on deliveries this year. However, it may influence orders placed for 2027," Kent remarks.

New web shop for seedlings

In spring 2026, SCA will launch a new web shop for seedlings.
"The web shops set to open in the first quarter, and we’re looking forward to it," says Kent.

Planting for the year has just begun at SCA’s nurseries in Bogrundet and Wifstamon, with germinated seedling trays now being stocked in cold storage, waiting for spring and their move to the greenhouses.
"About one in every four seedlings planted in Sweden’s forests annually comes from SCA. It feels great to contribute to climate benefits with our seedlings, which grow into trees that capture carbon dioxide and provide raw materials for products that can replace fossil-based alternatives," concludes Kent.

Photo: Michael Engman