Latvia opens advanced birch seed greenhouse in Sigulda

Latvia’s most modern birch seed greenhouse has opened at the Zābaki farm in Sigulda municipality, LSM reported. The facility was opened to mark the 30th anniversary of Latvijas Finieris’ birch breeding programme.

The 690-square-metre greenhouse contains 48 specially selected birch trees, which are expected to flower in three years. Controlled pollination will produce genetically improved seeds for birches with better trunk quality, greater growth in volume and faster growth.

Each tree will receive special care. Jānis Aļļis said the greenhouse has shade screens that can be closed when temperatures rise, while air circulators keep conditions uniform throughout the structure, both high up and near the ground.

Latvijas Finieris launched its birch breeding programme in 1996, when birch was considered a low-value tree. The programme aims to grow high-quality birch stands and produce quality wood for plywood manufacturing.

Until now, the company bought birch seeds. It will now manage the entire production process itself, from seed to finished product.

The company currently grows 1.5 million seedlings a year and plans to increase production to more than two million. Latvijas Finieris plants one-quarter of the seedlings in its own forests, while private forest and landowners purchase the rest.

Researchers and forestry professionals began systematic birch breeding work 30 years ago. As a result, birch has now surpassed pine in terms of industrial planting areas.