13.05.2009 - 65% of this year’s forest renewal completed in the state forest 13.05

This spring, the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) has planted 6.1 million plants on 2665 hectares, which is 65% of this year’s total volume of forest renewal in the area. At the RMK forest planting day this Saturday, all interested people will have a chance to contribute to the renewal of the state forest.

According to Tavo Uuetalu, Member of Management Board of RMK, the volume of planting in the state forest has been stable and well-planned throughout the years. “While today, leftover transplants are a problem in several other places, RMK is capable of successfully planting the planned volume and there have practically been no leftovers,” Uuetalu noted. “At the forest planting day on Saturday, people who are interested can try out forest planting. In two-three hours, it is possible to plant at least 100 trees,” he added.

Last year, with the help of volunteers, almost 250 000 spruce and pine transplants were planted on a total of 100 hectares. This year, trees can be planted in Harju, Rapla, Lääne-Viru, Pärnu and Tartu counties. Planters will assemble on Saturday, 16 May at 10.00 in the morning. The planting of trees will last about 2-3 hours, after which a refreshing lunch awaits the planters.

It is possible to register for the forest planting day on the website of RMK until the end of the business day tomorrow, 14 May, and the participation fee is EEK 50 per person. Participation fees are deposited into a common cashbox and used for covering the organisation and catering expenses of the planting day. In addition, all participants in the forest planting day will receive free entrance to RMK’s Elistvere Animal Park.

This year, new forest will be planted on 3740 hectares in the state forest. More specifically, 10.1 million transplants will be planted: 5.7 million spruces, 3.5 million pines and 0.5 million birches. For the reforestation of exhausted quarries, about 400 000 pines and birches will be planted this year. This year, forest will be planted on 490 hectares and natural renewal helped on 150 hectares.

RMK is a profit-making state agency established under the Forestry Act, aimed at sustainable and efficient management of the state forest. In addition to this, RMK creates possibilities for forest holidays and shapes nature awareness. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s forests.

Additional information:
Tavo Uuetalu
Member of Management Board of RMK
Tel: +372 676 7069, +372 504 5069
E-mail: tavo.uuetalurmk.ee
www.rmk.ee/en