Finland plans grants to turn idle land into forests

Finland is preparing to revive grants for planting forests on unproductive land, with the aim of strengthening carbon sinks and reducing emissions. The proposal, now before Parliament, would provide private landowners with 1,500 to 2,000 euros per hectare, Yle reports.

The amount would depend on the type of land. Planting trees on a disused peat production area could qualify for 1,500 euros per hectare, while converting a peatland field to forest could bring 2,000 euros. A further 900 euros per hectare would be available for forest management, according to Markku Remes, a leading specialist at the Finnish Forest Centre.

Parliamentary committee hearings on the proposal are still under way. If approved, the support could begin next year. The previous forest planting grant was paid from 2021 to 2023.

Planting planned on a former peat site

One of the areas that could be planted is Pappilansuo, a former peat production site in Sonkajärvi, North Savo. The 30-hectare area is now unused. Sukevan Jointly Owned Forest plans to plant pine saplings there next year, whether or not the grant is approved.

The jointly owned forest has about 4,400 hectares of forest and plans to expand that area gradually. Its chair, Ari Sirviö, said planting at Pappilansuo would put the land to productive use, provide timber in the future and help bind carbon. The forest could become a carbon sink in just over 10 years, while the first income from thinning is expected in 25 to 30 years.

Finland has an estimated 100,000 hectares of unused land suitable for forest planting. The proposed support is intended to create permanent forest areas; Christmas tree cultivation and short-rotation energy wood cultivation would not qualify.

Ash can support tree growth

Remes said ash can be used as fertiliser on former peat production areas, providing nutrients trees need for growth. He said the nutrients could support growth for about 40 years. Such land can also be allowed to regenerate naturally.

Sukevan Jointly Owned Forest has already established a 190-hectare pine stand on a former peat production area, fertilising it with ash 13 years ago. The forest says the planting plans at Pappilansuo also fit the government’s aim of increasing carbon sinks and reducing emissions from agriculture and forestry.