Joint efforts to improve forest regeneration results: an example from Sweden

Abstract Successful regeneration is crucial for sustainable wood production over time. Clear-cutting followed by planting of conifers is the most dominant regeneration method in Sweden. The method has been proven to work sufficiently over the years, and a lot of research has been carried out on this topic, both nationally and internationally. However, several factors can cause stress in newly planted seedlings, leading to regeneration failures. One way to overcome the problems is better implementation of research into practical forestry. This paper describes a project where the Swedish forestry sector works together with academia in a joint effort to improve regeneration results in practical forestry. The project is called Föryngringskollen [The regeneration survey] and is a large-scale survey where randomly selected production forest regenerations are inventoried each year. An extensive database is created (approximately 30 000 seedlings measured every year), and results are analyzed cumulatively every year. The results lead to continuous improvements in practice and indicate knowledge gaps for further research and development. The aim of this paper is to describe the methodology behind the survey and to present the first general results derived from the project about regeneration methods and success in different parts of Sweden for the inventory years 2023, 2024 and 2025. The first analysis shows that the choice of planting spots is important. Planting in mineral soil increases seedling vitality significantly, especially in southern Sweden.