Organization of Forestry
Regarding ownership Estonian forests are divided into three categories:
1. State forests, which are managed by The State Forest Management Centre (RMK). State forests are divided into 17 forest districts and are used for commercial and nature protection purposes. RMK also creates and supports recreational facilities. State forests account for approximately 40% of our forests.
2. Private forests, which are managed by private owners. They account for about 45% of the forests. There are about 100.000 private forest owners and the average size of forest property is 10 ha.
3. Unidentified forest ownership amounts to 15% of forests. This land was former private land which was nationalised during the Soviet Union occupation. Until today potential owners have not claimed it yet. As a rule, for the past 15 years this land has not been managed. These forestlands are either added to the state forest or sold at the auctions.
About 70% of Estonian forests are managed. Forest act on forest management is very strict. For example a forest must be restored within 5 years after clearcuttings and there is a minimum cutting age for tree species (for Scots pine it’s 90 years). This ensures suistainability in forestry.
Forests are important for timber production, nature conservation and recreation. 1 out of 15 Estonian people work in Forestry.
Forests are mainly threatened by storms, fungi, insects and fire. 99% of fires are caused by humans.
1. State forests, which are managed by The State Forest Management Centre (RMK). State forests are divided into 17 forest districts and are used for commercial and nature protection purposes. RMK also creates and supports recreational facilities. State forests account for approximately 40% of our forests.
2. Private forests, which are managed by private owners. They account for about 45% of the forests. There are about 100.000 private forest owners and the average size of forest property is 10 ha.
3. Unidentified forest ownership amounts to 15% of forests. This land was former private land which was nationalised during the Soviet Union occupation. Until today potential owners have not claimed it yet. As a rule, for the past 15 years this land has not been managed. These forestlands are either added to the state forest or sold at the auctions.
About 70% of Estonian forests are managed. Forest act on forest management is very strict. For example a forest must be restored within 5 years after clearcuttings and there is a minimum cutting age for tree species (for Scots pine it’s 90 years). This ensures suistainability in forestry.
Forests are important for timber production, nature conservation and recreation. 1 out of 15 Estonian people work in Forestry.
Forests are mainly threatened by storms, fungi, insects and fire. 99% of fires are caused by humans.