Estonian scientists develop forests of the future in partnership with RMK

Scientists at the Estonian University of Life Sciences are working with the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) to develop more resilient and faster-growing trees for Estonian forests. The project encompasses spruce, pine, birch and aspen species. It is a process that can take up to 40 years, of which Estonia has completed approximately half.

Estonian forests could be home in the future to trees that grow faster and better withstand both disease and climate change. To this end, scientists at the Estonian University of Life Sciences are working closely with the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) to develop improved varieties of spruce, pine, birch and aspen.

The long path to better forests

The process of tree genetic breeding is extraordinarily time-consuming — the entire work can take up to 40 years. To date, Estonia has completed approximately half of this journey, which means that while initial results have been achieved, there is still a long way to go to the finish line. Such a timeframe demands exceptional dedication and long-term planning from both scientists and forestry specialists.

The goal of the breeding programme is to identify and propagate tree varieties that combine multiple desirable traits: rapid growth, disease resistance and the ability to adapt to a changing climate. Such trees would bring benefits from an economic perspective and help ensure the health of Estonia's forests in the future.

Why this matters

As the climate warms, Estonian forests face new challenges — new pests and diseases are spreading, precipitation patterns are changing and dry spells are becoming longer. More resilient tree species will help ensure that Estonian forests remain productive and ecologically diverse in the decades to come. The cooperation between RMK and the University of Life Sciences is in this context a strategically important investment in the future of Estonia's natural environment.