Alien species in Finnish forestry

Teijo Nikkanen

Metsäntutkimuslaitos Skogsforskningsinstitutet Finnish Research Institute www.metla.fi Alien tree species in Finnish forestry

The contents of the presentation 1.A short history of the use of alien tree species in Finland Raivola forest inspired to trials of new tree species Tree species trials established by Metla Performance of alien tree species in Finland 2.The use of alien tree species in forestry Siberian larch is considered as a native tree species The use of other species 3.Legislation and attitudes National laws and decrees PEFC – Finland - forest certification criteria 4.Research of alien tree species 5.The use of alien tree species for landscaping

6.10.2010 Raivola larch forest inspired for trials of alien tree species

Raivola larch forest was planted in 1738 in Karelian Isthmus After Finnish foresters had discovered the Raivola forest in 1860’, planting of Siberian larch started in Finland In 1870’ and 1880’ several plantations of both Siberian and European larch were established in

Punkaharju and other state parks In small scale trials of other alien tree species started also at that time Large scale, scientific experimental work with alien tree species in Finland started in Mustila Arboretum in 1902

Raivola in 2007

6.10.2010 New tree species for Finnish forestry

Olli Heikinheimo Teijo Nikkanen European larch () plantation Tapionpöytä,at Punkaharju Miehikkälä in 1912 at the age of 36, and the same stand 90 years later.

6.10.2010 Tree species trials established by Metla

In the 1920’s and 1930’s about 800 experimental plantations (400 ha) with alien tree species were established in several Research Areas located in different parts of the country

Altogether 73 taxa from 10 genera, and 109 broad leaved tree taxa from 38 genera were tested in the trials

In most cases several provenances from each species were tested

USA, Washington (46°N, 122ºW, 1200 m) Canada, Br. Columbia (51º8’N, 119º7’ºW, 1800 m)

Alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) at Punkaharju in 2008 (at the age of 77 years)

6.10.2010 from the similar climatical areas

Seed for the trials was collected from different parts of the world: from 176 seed lots used in conifer trials 27 was from Europe 40 from East Asia 69 from North America and 30 from unknown seed sources

6.10.2010 The performance and use alien in Finland Trees for wood production Larix decidua Pinus contorta var. latifolia Pseudotsuga menziesii Picea mariana landscaping Abies balsamea Abies lasiocarpa Abies sachalinensis Abies sibirica Abies veitchii var. olgensis Picea omorika Picea pungens Pinus cembra Pinus mugo Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata Pinus peuce

Taxus cuspidata Thuja occidentalis Thuja koraiensis

6.10.2010 Dominant height of Siberian larch compared to site index curves for spruce

valtapituus, m dominant height, m 40

35

30

25

20

15 H100 33 (OMaT) H100 30 (OMT) 10 Punkaharju 5 Ruotsinkylä Solböle 0 0 20406080100 ikä, vuotta age, years

6.10.2010 The use of alien tree species in forestry

Amount of seedlings delivered from nurseries in 2005 - 2009 in species fit for use in forestry

6.10.2010 Siberian larch Larix sibirica

The amount of seedlings delivered to in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 was 677300 629000 554700 739600 392500

The planting area of Siberian larch has not exceed 500 ha during last years

In the 1980’ and 1990’ planting area was larger, exceeding 1000 ha in some year

Now larch is planted mainly by private forest owners in Southern and Central Finland, 20 – 30 years ago by Forest and Park Service in Northern Finland

In Finland there are 20 – 30 000 hectares of larch forests

In forestry Siberian larch is considered equal with our native forest species! Punkaharju

6.10.2010 Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia

The amount of seedlings delivered to forests in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 was 31110 300 2000 4240 0

Although lodgepole pine has studied a lot, and it is known to grow better than Scots pine in certain habitats both in Southern and Northern Finland, the use of it in Finnish forestry has always been low

The use of lodgepole pine for landscaping or other purposes is minimal

Total area of lodgepole pine forests in Finland is estimated to be about 10 000 hectares

Punkaharju

6.10.2010 Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii

The amount of seedlings delivered to forests in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 was 23700 16000 7980 2890 4890

Douglas fir is used very little for landscaping

Total area of Douglas fir forests in Finland is estimated to be about 500 hectares

In Punkaharju Research forest 420 m3 saw timber was cut down in 2008 Punkaharju

6.10.2010 Black spruce Picea mariana

The amount of seedlings delivered to forests in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 was 60100 22800 7500 11600 25700

Black spruce is suitable for forestry in peatlands in Northern Finland

Black spruce is also used for landscaping and in Christmas tree plantations

Rovaniemi

6.10.2010 Legislation and attitudes

Nature Conservation law prohibits planting or seeding of alien species into nature that could establish a permanent population. But this does not apply tree species used in forestry.

Forest law When tree species which are not native in Finland are used in forest cultivation, must the one who is in responsible, provide information on adaptability of alien tree species to local conditions and on their silvicultural potential.

Act on Trade in Forest Reproductive Material (241/2002) Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the marketing of forest reproductive material (1055/2002) do not prevent the use of alien tree species

6.10.2010 Legislation and attitudes

PEFC – Finland - forest certification criteria

Finnish native tree species are used in forest regeneration, excluding special cases

Siberian larch is considered as a native tree species

Special cases include landscaping, establishment of arboretums and parks, cultivation of Christmas trees and production of ornamental twigs of , and cultivation of hybrid aspen.

6.10.2010 Research of alien tree species

New generation of tree species trials have been established in 1994 - 2005 Tree species trials have been planted to 11 Research forests of Metla About 400 experimental plantation (total area of 90 ha) have been planted Main interest is in alien conifers and native broad-leaved tree species The performance of the trials have been measured at the age of five, and permanent experimental plots were set up

Experimental plantation of Picea mariana in Kivalo Research forest in Rovaniemi. Planted in 1996 and photographed in 2010

6.10.2010 Progeny and provenance trials of larch (SIBLARCH)

6.10.2010 Progeny and provenance trials of SIBLARCH

Russia Finland Czech Republic Russian Larix species Species border Comparison lot Larix sibirica Larix gmelinii 80

75

70

4A 65 2A, 2B Larix sibirica Larix gmelinii 435 436 13A 60 434 9A 1B 6B Latitude 6A 6C 55 7B 7C 15A 50 437 11A 14A, 14B, 14C 45

40 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Longitude

6.10.2010 The use of alien tree species for landscaping

Picea omorika in Helsinki

6.10.2010 6.10.2010