SWEDEN (News release) -- In autumn 2017, 6.7 million seedlings from Södra were planted. This represents an increase of 600,000 seedlings compared with autumn planting in 2016, and 1.9 million compared with 2015. In 2017, Södra supplied a total of 36.3 million seedlings.

Södra has set a record during autumn planting for the third consecutive year. Not since after the storm years of 2005 and 2007 have so many seedlings been planted in the autumn as in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The success factors include increased digitisation and greater awareness of the benefits of autumn planting.

"We are delighted to have set a record for the third consecutive year. Our focus on more digitised production is starting to yield results in the form of higher volumes, and improved seedlings with more even quality. Forests are growing better and faster now, and the high volume of seedlings that are planted every autumn will ensure that this trend continues," said Johan Jonsson, Head of Södra Skogsplantor.

The benefits of planting early in the autumn are that the roots of the seedlings descend immediately into the soil, enabling strong growth in the following year.

Of the seedlings supplied by Södra in the autumn, 90 percent are either untreated or protected with mechanical insecticides and therefore chemical-free.

"We see continued high demand for our mechanically protected seedlings, which is very positive for both the environment and forest growth. We now have twice the amount of forest as 100 years ago and today's planting sites will form the basis for tomorrow's bioeconomy, in which wood can be used to replace many other fossil fuels," said Johan Jonsson.

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