Sweden's forests

Photo: Ola Kårén skogslandskap ranasjöhöjden ramsele

Spruce and pine are the most common tree species in Sweden’s forests, which can look quite different in different parts of this elongated country.

Compared to many other countries, there is a lot of nature in Sweden. Only three per cent of the country’s land surface is built on or landscaped, and 70 per cent is covered by forest, making Sweden Europe’s most forested country.

Sweden’s forests are also growing well. Today, the country’s forests contain twice as much wood as they did 100 years ago. This is due to a long-term focus on replanting after felling and measures that promote growth. Forests are also denser and trees grow faster.

Spruce and pine most common

The most common tree species in Swedish forests are spruce and pine. In southern Sweden, forests are smaller and contain a larger number of deciduous species. In the north, forests are larger but sparser, and have fewer tree species. Due to local growing conditions, trees in southern Sweden grow on average twice as fast as they do in the north of the country.

Forests in northern Sweden are in the boreal coniferous forest belt. This is a forest ecosystem that cuts a swathe across the entire northern half of the globe – from Siberia in the east via Finland, Sweden and Norway, and on through Scotland to North America. Although there are of course considerable differences, for example in terms of climate and soil composition, this entire area is home to largely the same type of forest.

Long-term perspectives

Forests in Sweden grow slowly compared to forests further south, so it takes a long time before a Swedish forest can be felled. According to the Swedish Forestry Act, for example, an area dominated by conifers must be at least between 45 and 100 years old before it is felled, depending on where it is located. Beech may not be felled for rejuvenation purposes before it is 80 years old, and oak must be at least 90 years old.