SFE “Forests of Ukraine” launches the autumn silvicultural campaign
This autumn, the enterprise is completing the President’s «Zelena kraina» program in the part concerning the planting of one billion trees. The final stage has begun — within a month, the one-billionth tree will be planted.
However, quantity is not an end in itself for the foresters.
“Restoration of Ukraine’s forests and the expansion of the forest fund area should unite Ukrainian society and draw attention to environmental issues and biodiversity conservation. Forest restoration is a component of our country’s recovery,” notes Yurii Bolokhovets, Head of SFE “Forests of Ukraine.”
At the final stage of the «Zelena kraina» our enterprise is paying particular attention to creating new forests where there were none before, or to restoring forests that were damaged as a result of military hostilities, fires, windstorms, or illegal logging.
Thus, the first tree planting of this autumn took place in Kyiv Region, at the Khotianivske Forestry Management Subunit (Dymerske Forestry Management Unit) near Nyzhnia Dubechnia. Last year, at this site, almost one hectare of young forest burned after a missile strike. In total, since the beginning of the year, over 60 hectares of forest in the Dymerske Forestry Management Unit have burned as a result of falling UAVs and missiles. Since the start of the war, this has amounted to hundreds of hectares.
We restored the forest destroyed by the war together with members of the Vyshedubechanske School Forestry, students of the National University of Life Resources and Environmental Management of Ukraine, and the children of employees of the Dymerske Forestry Management Unit.
“We are creating new forests for future generations of Ukrainians; therefore, it is very important to foster in our children and youth a love for the forest and a responsible attitude toward it,” stated Yurii Bolokhovets.
The site where the missile exploded is being restored using a modern technique — pine is being planted together with rowan, birch, and viburnum.
Pine is the principal forest-forming species in the north of the country, fast-growing and undemanding as to soils. It is high-value merchantable timber — a resource for industry and construction.
Birch grows faster than pine and provides natural shade, which helps young pines establish more successfully.
Rowan attracts birds and promotes natural seed dispersal.
Viburnum serves as the understory, forming a protective layer, reducing soil desiccation, and at the same time acting as a natural barrier to the spread of fire.
The combination of coniferous and deciduous species reduces the risks of large-scale fires and promotes biodiversity.
Pine seedlings with a closed root system have been sown at the selection-and-seed center in Zhytomyr Region.
Over the next week, the autumn silvicultural campaign will begin across all SFE “Forests of Ukraine” forestry enterprises. We are restoring and planting new forests together with children and students. «Zelena kraina» is the country we are creating for them—where they will live and work!