Trees initiative in Denmark faces skepticism from nurseries over past experiences

Søren Iversen carefully removes the green netting covering the ground, revealing around 500,000 acorns buried five centimeters beneath the winter-chilled earth. Planted in the fall, these seeds are expected to sprout by spring and grow into two-meter tall oak seedlings in just two years, making them ideal for planting in new forests. However, Iversen, owner of Hjorthede Plant Nursery near Bjerringbro, expresses caution about the imminent forest initiative in Denmark that aims to plant one billion trees by 2045.

Past experiences have left nurseries wary; they’ve had to dispose of millions of trees that became worthless due to delays in large forest projects. Many young plants must be planted at the right time—if they grow too large, they cannot be transplanted efficiently, rendering them almost valueless.

Other nurseries, such as ForstPlant, have faced similar struggles, reporting significant losses in previous years when they had to destroy hundreds of thousands of unsellable trees. This history has tempered their willingness to invest in the new initiative before receiving concrete plans from the government.

The ambitious project, dubbed the “green tripartite,” aims to reduce nitrogen emissions from agriculture and convert an area the size of Funen into forests, requiring the replanting of 250,000 hectares. However, nursery owners need clarity on which tree species to use and when they will be ready.

Experts like Vivian Kvist Johannsen note that the scope of this initiative is unprecedented, requiring quick action to align planting times with land availability. Without a robust national forest plan, there is a risk of plants going to waste, jeopardizing climate and biodiversity goals. Iversen is optimistic that nurseries could deliver the required trees, but stresses the importance of a clear action plan from the authorities.