Norway produces approximately 40 million spruce trees each year.
One of the biggest problems with growing and rejuvenating forests is pine weevils (Hylobius abietis)🪳 In the most exposed areas in Norway, as many as 90% of the trees that are planted die, as a result of beetle attacks🌲 Nationally and internationally, this amounts to enormous economic losses and limits production, which makes combating and prevention a major priority for forestry and the authorities.
Today, there are no simple and 100% effective solutions, and often several measures need to be taken at the same time. Chemical treatments that have previously been used were made illegal to use in 2023 due to environmental protection, and many are therefore left without good solutions.
Woolero's material technology: WoKomp
Using Woolero's material technology, we have now developed a tight but breathable hood that is able to protect the trees for the first three years of life before breaking down naturally when the tree is strong enough to survive on its own. The ambitious goal of this project is to develop a safe and effective solution that can be implemented in international forestry.
"The spruce weevil today ensures that as much as 90% of newly planted trees die in the most exposed areas in Norway" - Project manager at Skogplante Midt-Norge
The testing
We have now planted our first 200 protections, in collaboration with Skogplanter Midt-Norge💥 The planting is part of an ongoing national project, to find a sustainable and effective protection that satisfies all requirements and is easy to handle in the planting process. Over the next year, the project will document the effect, and answer whether WoKomp can contribute to an increased survival rate during the trees' first 2-3 years📈
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