Iceland

Forest developments

The first two experimental forest stands in Iceland were planted 1899. The focus in the 19th century was on fencing, to protect land from unsustainable life stock grazing, and still today is the main focus. That is why most of Icelands oldest trees are found in urbaniced areas. In 1939 forestry, with productive tree species, started in larger scale in few areas around Iceland. Reforestation was both done be the stage and by optimistic people in nonprofit unions. In 1990 farmers and public landowners were sponsored and encouraged by the authorities to start forestry. Today, farmers all around the country are the most extensive foresters in Iceland. Their forests are still young and the benefits of timber are not yet to be harvest, but soon will. The tallest tree in Iceland was planted in 1949 and is 30-meter hight Sitka spruce (2022). The four most productive forest plants in Iceland are Sitka sprice, Lodgeblole Pine, Siberian Larix and Black cottonwood. Downy birh is a native plant so it is also planted a lot. The most planted seedlings I Iceland per one year was in 2024, when they were over 7 million. 

Forestry is the most natural and profitable way to make Icelandic agriculture sustainable.