Effective wood growing requires a more broad-based view. Instead of concentrating on saw timber we should think of more variety in wood growing, says Mr Esa Härmälä, Chairman of the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK)

Production and exploitation of long-fibered coniferous wood constitutes a cornerstone, now and in the future, of the competitiveness of wood processing industry operating in Finland. Long-fibered coniferous wood constitutes a competitive advantage both in chemical wood industry and in sawmills. Traditionally forests have been used for the purpose of growing a maximum amount of saw timber. In the future an increased use of such timber in the mechanical wood processing industry is uncertain. Maintaining the present production volume of saw timber will require considerable efforts.
The question inevitably arises whether growing wood for the purpose of maximizing the amount of saw timber is the only course to follow, or whether it makes sense to concentrate on the production of pulpwood in some of our forests. Forest researchers ought to study the question in what locations and under what circumstances it would be a financially sound and reasonable alternative to shorten growth cycles in existing young forests, or in forests now being planted.
Shortening growth cycles does not in the least imply that we should abandon the production of saw timber, but is seems evident that in the future it is not worthwhile to concentrate on the production of low quality saw timber of fir. There are too many alternatives to this kind of timber in countries with a lower cost structure than in Finland. Furthermore, there is a constant oversupply of low quality saw timber. For that reason the Finnish wood industry sector and also forestry should concentrate on those sectors where we have a competitive edge in a changing environment.
It does not make sense to try to resist natural forces and conditions. We should bear in mind the principle that in each location and region such species of trees should be grown that are naturally adapted to the environment and to prevailing conditions. Shortened growth cycles could be introduced in certain cases, even for the purpose of repairing previous errors, for example by cutting already at the pulpwood stage low quality fir planted in a too lush growth environment for the purpose of producing raw material for the pulp industry. Financially sound wood production is based on the principle of maximal exploitation of the opportunities that different habitats and growth sites can offer.
The salient question is a changeover from the present, narrow-based objective of mainly producing saw timber to a more versatile and variable spectrum of different purposes of wood growing. However, that requires much more versatility and better know-how in those instances that act as advisors to forest owners.
For further information, please contact Mr Esa Härmälä, telephone +358400-874209.