Double green felling on Ridön

Sveaskog is working throughout the summer on the island of Ridön outside Västerås to re-establish its hardwood forests and grazing land. This will also result in both timber and biofuel.

In the autumn the people of Västerås will receive energy that is green in two senses, from branches and tops that have been transported just a few kilometres on water.

Spruce takes over

During the 18th century farming on Ridön decreased, and what was once grazing land and broadleaf woods has now been taken over by spruce. The island is still one of the largest areas of broadleaf trees in Sweden, but it is important to stem the spread of conifers before it is too late.

There are many threatened species here that are dependent on broadleaf trees for their survival. For example, Chlorophorus herbstii, Pseudoptilinus fissicollis and several other beetles which are not found anywhere else in Sweden. Small balls of mistletoe cling to the crowns of the trees. 

"Huge areas of broadleaf forest have disappeared from southern Sweden, so it is very important to re-establish this rich environment," says Mats Larshagen, the project leader for Sveaskog.

No easy task

This is a challenge on a grand scale. Such voluminous conservation measures have never previously been taken on Ridön, and the harbour was to shallow to accommodate the huge barges needed. Consequently, Sveaskog's biofuel logistician Börje Eriksson was very pleased when they found the solution.

"We built a new loading quay for the boats and a new road to it. So we can now load 150 tonnes at a time on barges which then go to Västerås. Biofuel in the form of chips goes directly to the power and heating plant in Västerås and the timber is taken to Hasselfors.

The concept is reliant on the fearless truck drivers of Gumse åkeri, who don't hesitate to back out onto a narrow landing stage ten times a day so that timber can be loaded onto the barges. Sometimes even at night.

Grazing animals are an important factor

Three teams of contractors are working in parallel on Ridön. One with a clipping unit, which clips off the small branches so that they cannot take root when the landscape is opened up. All the newly provided light is intended for flowers, giant oaks and others in need of it. Some areas will also be fenced in, so that grazing animals can play their part in the conservation measures.

Ridön is a part of the Sveaskog Eco-park, Ridö-Sundbyholmsarkipelagen. No normal forestry is carried out here these days, only measures to increase nature and leisure time value.

To make the island still more attractive for visitors, Sveaskog has made a trail with signposts providing information on nature and cultural history.

Some of the conservation work on Ridön is financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the EU through the largest ever project of its kind: LIFE Nature Project.