2023 was another year with substantial seedling deliveries from SCA’s seedling operation NorrPlant in Sweden. During the year, 102.9 million seedlings were delivered, which is almost 5 million more seedlings compared with 2022. Work at SCA’s Bogrundet and Wiftstamon nurseries has progressed well during the year.
“We grew 111 million seedlings and of these delivered 102.9 million in 2023, of which approximately 60% to external customers and the rest to SCA’s own forests in Sweden and the Baltic region,” says Thomas Vestman, Head of NorrPlant.
Most of the 102.9 million seedlings delivered were pine seedlings and about one third were spruce seedlings. NorrPlant also delivered a small percentage of contorta pine seedlings and about one million larch seedlings.
Image: SCA / Photo: Michael Engman
“Pine dominates land owned by SCA. Deliveries of pine seedlings are also increasing to our external customers,” says Thomas.
NorrPlant strives for continuous development in order to offer the best quality seedlings. At the end of 2023, it invested in a small growing chamber to use in a pilot project at Bogrundet, which is the largest tree nursery in the world.
“The growing chamber has been developed for test purposes and has a range of features. Our aim is to investigate the potential of alternative growing techniques for the seedlings of the future. We are looking forward to making a start,” says Thomas.
