Finland’s private forest owners invested around €21m in voluntary forest protection during 2008, according to a study by the Forestry Development Centre Tapio and regional forestry centres.
The figure was calculated by valuing trees left standing in regeneration fellings and those voluntarily left standing in valuable habitats. An additional €4m of trees were left standing due to legally binding reasons.
Retention trees are not required by law in Finland but are an integral part of forest certification. PEFC conditions in Finland stipulate between 5-10 retention trees per hectare.
The study classified private forests as those owned by private individuals, families and the industry, and not by the state.
“The sum represents a real-term sacrifice for the benefit of natural values and does not include the non-felling of trees due to lack of demand,” said a report on the Finnish forest sector website www.forest.fi.
