More forest from cultivars
Between 2013 and 2017, the proportion of cultivars* increased from just over 50 percent to nearly 90 percent of Södra’s total seedling deliveries. Cultivars ensure strong and healthy forests with better growth and high quality. The increase has been driven by higher demand from forest owners, and enabled by quality and volume-enhancing investments in nursery production.
“The growing demand for our cultivars is a fantastic trend we are seeing right now. Despite breaking all previous delivery records, demand is so high that we are running out of seedlings. At the same time, we can see how the investments we have made in the nurseries to increase production are now starting to yield results,” said Johan Jonsson, Head of Södra Skogsplantor.
Cultivars guarantee high growth, better quality and are adapted to a changed climate. At the same time, Södra ensures a high level of genetic diversity.
In 2017, Södra delivered a total of 30 million own-produced seedlings, just over 5 million more seedlings than in 2016. Despite these deliveries, demand is not slowing down.
“Forest growth is continuously increasing and we have twice as much forest now compared with 100 years ago, a trend that we want to continue. One of Södra’s sustainability targets is a 20-percent higher rate of forest growth on our members’ estates by 2050. Because they lead to better yields, our cultivars are important for achieving that target,” said Johan Jonsson.
*Plant breeding is based on the knowledge that some traits are genetic. Cultivars are produced from the seeds harvested from a seed orchard. The seed orchard is composed of mature parent trees selected for their desirable traits, such as health and soundness, wood quality with straight trunks and good growth. In summer, the parent trees pollinate each other, and the cones containing the seeds are harvested in the autumn.
For more information, please contact:
Johan Jonsson, Head of Södra Skogsplantor
Tel: +46 (0)470-893 63
E-mail: johan.jonsson@sodra.com
Södra’s Pressroom
Tel: +46 (0)470-890 90
E-mail:press@sodra.com
Södra was founded in 1938 and is the largest forest-owner association in Sweden, with a membership of more than 51,000 forest owners. We engage in modern and responsible forestry, and operate state-of-the-art mills in which we process our raw material. Net sales in 2017 were 20.5 SEK billion and there were 3,400 employees. Through value-generating relationships and a long-term approach, Södra is leading the way for the future of sustainable forestry.
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