A total of 19.3 million trees were planted in the state forest this year 23.10

Together with the autumn forest planting, completed in October, RMK added 19.3 million trees to the state forest this year, which is 800,000 more than last year.
Most reforestation works are completed in the spring; however, for the fourth year in a row, RMK is also planting spruces in September and October. “Prolongation of the planting period allows us to better organise our operations and also provide work to planters in the autumn,” said Rainer Laigu, Chief Specialist of Forest Management at RMK. “The trees planted in previous autumns have grown nicely. Today, a four-year old spruce is approx. 80 cm in height, and in order to improve its growing conditions, foresters have cleared its surroundings of grass and brush three times already, to ensure that the tiny tree receives sufficient light and food.”

This autumn, RMK planted 800,000 spruces in forest under its care, mainly in Lääne-Viru, Järva and Jõgeva counties. In spring, a total of 18.5 million trees were planted. Out of the counties, the largest number, i.e. 3.7 million trees, were planted in Ida-Viru County this year.

Altogether, RMK is renewing more than 10,000 ha of forests this year; with one-fifth being left to the process of natural reforestation. There, nature itself is able to renew the clear cut area with the most suitable species of trees – mostly birchwoods, aspen woods and common alder. The plants required for the renewal of the state forest are grown by RMK in eight nurseries across Estonia.

RMK is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Republic of Estonia. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature conservation works. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and shapes nature awareness. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, the Tartu Tree Nursery, AS Eesti Metsataim and the Põlula Fish Farm. More than 700 people work for RMK; however, the total number of people employed in the state forest is 5000.

Visit the website www.rmk.ee/eluring to learn more about the works being carried out in the forest, the people performing those works, and the circle of life in the forest.

Enclosed are photos of forest planting and spruce plants in RMK’s Reiu Nursery; photographer Rando Kall.

Further information:
Rainer Laigu
Chief Specialist of Forest Management at RMK
Tel: 510 1411
E-mail: rainer.laigu@rmk.ee