Frequently asked questions
I need to get some income from my forest, but I don't want to do clearcuts. Does the law require clearcutting?
No. In most countries, including Finland, the law requires ensuring that proper forest regeneration occurs after cutting. Regeneration can be natural or assisted. Innofor's advanced forest planning system helps owners choose the optimal way to manage each part of their holdings.I already have a Forest Management Plan.
Can it be used to implement Innofor's management solutions?
Innofor recommends use of non-clearcut forestry (called Continuous Cover Forestry) whenever possible. Non-clearcut methods deviate from management solutions based on even- aged stands and clearcutting, and so always require a separate planning process. However, if your management plan is recent, it will offer useful basic facts about your holdings.I only own a few hectares of forest.
Is it worth carrying out any management?
In general, yes it is, but solutions will vary depending on what the site is primarily used for. You may wish to protect the site or leave it in a natural state - in some cases the owner can get reimbursed for this from state nature protection funds. For forest sites important to you personally, management may for example be limited to increasing light and visibility by removal of spruce and other shade-growing trees.Can I apply different management methods
in different parts of my forest?
Certainly, different solutions can be employed in different parts of your holdings.After non-clearcut logging, how soon can I go
walking or berry-picking in my forest?
The same day if you wish – following the logging your forest will still look like one. The path cut by the harvester, as well as the remaining branches and other residues look ugly initially, but disappear gradually in a few years.Can non-clearcut forest management be applied to all forests?
The more uneven-aged initially is the forest – i.e. containing trees of all age classes, especially young trees and saplings – the easier it is to apply non-clearcut methods. The average age of the forest is not important as such. The most challenging situation is an even-aged forest with the natural undergrowth of smaller trees removed. In such cases management needs to include a transition phase to achieve an uneven-aged structure.Is it profitable to grow commercial stands as
uneven-aged and practice non-clearcut forestry?
Yes it is, but the assistance of a qualified professional is essential. Removing the wrong trees, or the wrong amount of timber at a time can damage the commercial potential of your holdings. After non-clearcut logging, forest rejuvenation needs to be monitored and if necessary improved. In many areas, for example in forests important for public recreation or tourism, practicing non-clearcut forestry combines both timber extraction and other forest uses, increasing further the site's commercial value overall.Is non-clearcut forestry suitable for municipal
and other forests used by the general public?
Non-clearcut forestry is often ideal for both commercial and non-commercially managed municipal and other public forests, since it combines both timber extraction and other forest uses such as tourism, landscape and watershed management, and nature protection. Such management improves the public image of commercial forestry as well as increasing citizens' well-being.I'm worried that my neighbour is going to clearcut his forest, or that my municipality is going to clearcut my favourite forest walk.
Can I do something?
In Finland, a private individual forest owner has no obligation to negotiate with neighbours over forest use. One way to persuade your neighbour to avoid clearcutting might be to give them this brochure! In the case of municipal or parish forests, a local citizen or parish member can submit an initiative to the Council or other management body about moving forests over to non-clearcut forestry.
