Thanks to the genetically improved seedlings available from nurseries, we can put the know-how gained through long-term forest tree breeding into practice. Genetic improvement has significant benefits. The best tree specimens have been selected for use in improvement, and through cross-breeding of them the growth in trunk volume has increased by more than 20 per cent on average compared to unimproved trees. In addition, improvement has also increased the technical quality of the trunks, particularly in the case of birch and pine.
Tornator plants more than seven million seedlings a year. The difference in wood production is not yet visible in the earliest years, but it becomes clear at the stage when the forest begins to produce pulpwood and sawlogs. The time to reach this stage is shortened when regeneration takes place quickly and a fully dense seedling stand starts growing in the area immediately. This significantly increases the average wood yield per hectare and the carbon sequestration compared to natural regeneration and non-improved nursery stock.
Forestry operations require sustained effort and commitment over the long term. In the current program period, the crop of earlier plantings will mature, in addition to which the improved seedlings planted during this programming period will also provide a significant increase in growth for coming program periods.
