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JSC “Latvia's State Forests” has Started Soil Preparation Works

Work on soil preparation is already in full swing to provide successful reforestation in 2020. JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM) plans to prepare soil in an area of more than 9000 hectares by the beginning of December.

“Soil preparation is needed to create a quality planting space for the new seedlings, providing the necessary nutrients and optimal moisture, and freeing the seedlings planted in the first year from herbaceous plant competition. Therefore, the fertile top layer is turned upside down and bands or uplifts are formed using different soil preparation methods,” says Mārtiņš Gūtmanis, LVM Silviculture Executive Director.

To ensure high quality and sustainable forest management, LVM is constantly introducing new technologies in its daily work, as well as cooperating with experienced and responsible forestry partners. This year, in addition to the conventional soil preparation methods with band and uplift creation with a bucket, LVM has introduced another type of soil cultivation with a rotary uplift maker, which is mainly used in wet mineral soils and forests on drained mineral soils. In 2019, it is planned to use this soil preparation method in about 1200 hectares.

“We carry out mechanized reforestation in areas where soil preparation cannot be accomplished by the traditional methods, as well as in low bearing-capacity soils - in wetlands and marshlands. Relatively good results of reforestation can be achieved applying the uplifting method using an excavator with a conventional excavator bucket. This technique can be used at the felling sites to dispose of excess surface water. During the vegetation period, it is important that the young trees do not soak in water and it can be prevented by these uplifts,” says Edmunds Linde, Executive Director LVM Silviculture.