world news - 11.05.2007
Swedish spruce more and more rare in Southern Sweden
Today less than five per cent of all spruce in Southern Sweden is of
Swedish origin. Seeds from Byelorussian spruce constitute 65 — 70 % of
all seeds and they are the dominant species. So called plantation
material, i.e. seeds and plants from cultivated and breeded spruce
comes in second.
It may seem odd that
Swedish spruce does less well in Sweden than its Byelorussian cousin.
However, Mr Roger Unbeck from the tree plant company Svenska
Skogsplantor says that Swedish spruce will be more fraught with
problems because it sprouts earlier in the spring. If there is frost
the top shoots of Swedish spruce may freeze. The Byelorussian variety
manages better because it sprouts later.
Mr Unbeck also thinks that Byelorussian spruce is more productive
because it grows faster than its Swedish cousin. But cultivated spruce
from breeded seeds is even more productive. Mr Unbeck believes that
both Swedish and Byelorussian spruce will disappear from Southern
Sweden within 10 — 15 years. He thinks that at that time cultivated
spruce will be dominant. Nevertheless, Swedish spruce will not entirely
disappear because part of the parent trees in plantations is Swedish.
See also:
- — California Backs Lowering Formaldehyde in Wood
- — China needs "responsible" timber choice--Greenpeace
- — More storm felled timber than previously expected still remains in Swedish forests
- — World Must Seek Change in China Timber Trade — Report
- — U.N. wins pledges to plant a billion trees
