Forest Management

The objective of the forest management is to manage the state forest under the care of RMK in a sustainable and efficient manner.

The forest management includes:

• Forest Management Department
• Forestry Management Regions
• Silviculture Division
• Forest Administration and Remote Sensing Department
• Forest Infrastructure Department
• Wood Energy Division

The Forest Management Department develops the principles of forest management and coordinates the work of the units in the field of forest management. The department also develops forest management IT applications.

Forest management regions are engaged in timber harvesting and roundwood logistics. There are three regions: Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast. Each region is divided into four stocking areas.

The region also includes forest managers and inclusion specialists. The region’s forest managers are the first point of contact at the local level. Inclusion specialists in the region talk to locals about management works in nearby forests.

The Silviculture Division takes care of growing the young forest entrusted to RMK’s care, i.e. it plants and maintains the forest and performs lighting cutting to ensure that the best pole stands are growing on each area within 15 years.

The Silviculture Division includes the Plant and Seed Management Department, whose employees grow high-quality forest plants that renew the state forest. Our task is also to ensure the necessary supply of forest seeds for Estonia as a whole.

During the inventory, the employees of the Forest Administration and Remote Sensing Department regularly collect data on the location, condition, and stock of the forests entrusted to RMK. In this way, the activities of RMK’s other areas of activity can be planned on the basis of reliable and up-to-date data.

All of RMK’s forest managers are trained as experts in key habitats and know how to spot species and habitats requiring protection in nature.

The Forest Infrastructure Department is engaged in the maintenance and renewal of RMK’s forest infrastructure. We have a good overview of the state of RMK’s forest roads and forest drainage systems. If roads or drainage systems need to be maintained, built, reconstructed or upgraded, the department’s specialists prepare the projects and the necessary work is performed. In the case of activities involving a higher environmental impact, the department prepares environmental impact analyses and commissions expert assessments.

The Wood Energy Division organises the production of wood chips from energy timber and its transport to customers.

The majority of silviculture and logging works, the transport of all roundwood and wood chips and the chopping of energy wood, as well as all forest improvement and nature conservation works are carried out for RMK by partner companies. As a result, approximately EUR 100 million reaches small businesses in Estonia annually.