Spring forest planting has begun across Poland. What does afforestation involve?

Can nature manage on its own? Not necessarily. Where ecosystems are influenced by humans, they need support to regain balance. In many places across Poland, spring forest planting has just begun. Thanks to such regular efforts, not only does the forested area in the country increase, but so does its biodiversity.

Afforestation that makes sense

Not every act of planting a tree qualifies as afforestation. For such activities to be meaningful, they cannot be random. Foresters develop forest management plans using extensive knowledge of local habitats. They select the most resilient species, as well as those that will ensure the highest possible biodiversity in forest areas.

Afforestation aims to increase the share of deciduous trees in Polish forests. Tree nurseries cultivate species such as oaks, beeches, hornbeams, birches, maples, elms, and lindens. Foresters also plant rowan, wild apple, and pear trees to help provide animals with access to food.

It is worth emphasizing that afforestation is not the same as forest regeneration. In the first case, trees are planted in areas where there was previously no forest. Regeneration involves planting in areas where timber has been harvested. Foresters are legally required to carry out these works within five years of tree felling, although in practice it is done much sooner. In place of each felled tree, several new ones are planted.

Planting forests with the help of nature

Spring afforestation involving people plays a crucial role in ecosystems. Such initiatives are carried out on a large scale, with as many as 700 million seedlings grown annually in Polish nurseries and then distributed across forests throughout the country.

However, nature is not dependent solely on human actions. It is also capable of afforestation on its own. Up to 20 percent of forest areas regenerate naturally through seed dispersal. As representatives of the State Forests emphasize: The forest does not disappear, it regenerates. In every place where timber is harvested, a new generation of trees emerges.

A new forest is already growing here

In many locations, spring forest planting campaigns have already taken place. Students from schools in Koszalin participated in reforestation efforts in the Karnieszewice Forest District. More than 200 people also planted trees in the Cierpiszewo Forest District near Toruń. On the coast, in the Pobierowo forestry area, new trees were planted by primary school students. Near Poznań, volunteers from Polish Power Grid Company joined the initiative, and in Lower Silesia, representatives of uniformed services took part.

New plantings have also been established around rivers and water bodies in the Lwówek Śląski Forest District, in the Barycz Valley, and in several other Lower Silesian forest areas. Employees of Polish Waters participated in the effort. The new trees will not only increase forest area but will also support water retention and help mitigate the effects of droughts and heavy rainfall.

Spring forest planting campaigns are organized not only by the State Forests. As part of the Posadzimy.pl initiative, more than 100 thousand seedlings have been planted in several locations across Poland.

Where can you join the initiative?

Foresters from Zielona Góra are still inviting participants to join forest planting efforts. An afforestation event will take place on April 18 near the H2Ochla recreational complex in Zielona Góra.

A forest planting event is scheduled for April 20 in the Krówka Forestry area in the Tuchola Forest, but the list of participants is already closed. Meanwhile, in the Silesian Voivodeship, the “Plant a forest with a forester” campaign runs from March 21 to April 30, during which participants plant an average of 1,000 trees per minute. A map of current events can be found here.