Forest management

Soil preparation plays a crucial role in establishing a new forest, as it significantly accelerates the establishment of tree seedlings and the growth rate of young trees. Properly prepared soil ensures better moisture and air conditions and reduces competition from grassy vegetation.

New plantings are particularly vulnerable to damage from animals, frost, drought, and pests. Therefore, it is necessary to use protective measures, such as mechanical or chemical repellents, trunk protectors and treatments for spruce or pine seedlings against snow mould. Regular monitoring helps to address problems early on and ensures the even development of the stand.

The tending of young stands is one of the most important stages of forestry, ensuring the development of high-quality and sustainable forest stands. Regularly thinning out unwanted trees and shrubs reduces competition for light and nutrients, thereby promoting the growth of desirable species and improving trunk quality.

Forest regeneration should be carried out as soon as possible after logging. In a clear-cut area that has not been regenerated in a timely manner, low-value deciduous trees will begin to dominate if the conditions for natural regeneration with the desired tree species are not present. The appropriate regeneration method — planting, seeding or natural regeneration — ensures the sustainable development of forest stands for the future.

Thinning is a forest management practice aimed at freeing the most viable trees from competition and promoting their growth. During the first thinning, the most promising trees are left standing, as they will provide a valuable timber yield in the future. Properly conducted thinning improves forest structure and resistance to storms and diseases.

Forest harvesting is the final stage of the forest management cycle, during which mature stands are harvested, and the timber is processed and transported. At this stage, it is important to adhere to environmental protection principles, preserving biodiversity and ensuring that the forest can regenerate in the next cycle.