Top tree nurseries: The backbone of future forests

Our top tree nurseries are quietly revolutionizing sustainable forestry, combining industrial-scale output with cutting-edge science. As the demand for forest products rises, biodiversity shrinks, and the climate shifts, these tree nurseries are cultivating the very foundation of resilient forests.

Tomorrow’s forests will be shaped not just by what we plant—but by how we grow it. Across Europe, a new generation of top-performing tree nurseries is leading the way, blending innovation, smart nutrition, and decades of expertise to produce seedlings that are stronger, smarter, and more resilient. In this article, we highlight the nurseries that are redefining what it means to grow for the future—where forest health, productivity, and sustainability go hand in hand.

Industrial-scale leaders in nursery production

Sveaskog / Svenska Skogsplantor

Sveaskog is Sweden’s largest forest owner, managing approximately 3.9 million hectares of land, of which around 3 million hectares are productive forest. Through its subsidiary, Svenska Skogsplantor, Sveaskog operates five major nurseries across the country. Together, these nurseries produce about 140 million seedlings annually, making Svenska Skogsplantor one of the largest seedling suppliers in Scandinavia. The company has invested heavily in automation and hygiene systems to improve seedling quality and reduce environmental impact. This scale and commitment to innovation make Sveaskog a central player in Sweden’s sustainable reforestation efforts.

Holmen Skog’s nursery

Holmen Skog operates two major nurseries — in Gideå and Friggesund — producing a combined total of approximately 45 million seedlings annually, mainly spruce and pine. At the Gideå nursery, Holmen replaced oil-fired boilers with a wood-chip biofuel heating system in 2020, significantly reducing its fossil fuel dependence. The company uses organic arginine-based fertilizers like Arevo arGrow, which help reduce nitrogen leaching and support stronger root development. Most of the seedlings are used to regenerate Holmen’s own forests, supporting a vertically integrated and climate-smart forestry model. Through sustainable energy use and innovative fertilization, Holmen Skog has become a national leader in responsible seedling production.

SCA

SCA, Europe’s largest private forest owner, manages 2.6 million hectares in Northern Sweden and 70,000 hectares in the Baltics. Their forestry approach balances high production of renewable raw materials with strong environmental responsibility. SCA’s long-term, sustainable forest management results in increasing forest volume, enhanced biodiversity, and a growing supply of renewable materials that help replace fossil-based products. Their forestry practices contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, while supporting a fossil-free future.

Regional and cooperative nursery networks

Locally rooted tree nurseries serve region-specific climates and reforestation goals.

• Sweden: Södra, Sydplantor, Bohus-Dahls Skogsplantor
• Finland: Mellanå Plant, Pohjan Taimi, Puut Oy
• Norway: Skogplanter Østnorge, Skogsplanter Innlandet, Skogplanter Midt-Norge, Norgesplanter AS

Innovation and niche-focused nurseries

Smaller and region-specific nurseries like Solskogar (Iceland) and Lieco (Austria) push climate-adapted planting methods, off-grid nursery operations, and ecosystem restoration projects.

The arginine advantage

Researchers at SLU, including Arevo’s founder and CTO, Torgny Näsholm, have developed an organic nitrogen fertilizer, based on the by nitrogen-rich amino acid arginine — and the results are reshaping expectations around seedling growth and sustainability.

• Arginine binds to soil particles (reducing N loss), and maintains a buffer of available nitrogen, even during planting, boosting both root and needle nitrogen content. Unlike traditional nitrate fertilizers, arginine carries a positive charge, allowing it to bind to soil particles and significantly reduce nitrogen runoff.
• Arginine yields more stable N supply, avoids nitrate leaching, and supports greater biomass and nutrient recovery as shown in 2021 Tree Physiology and SLU studies The impact on tree development is striking: field trials show seedlings grown with Arevo develop stronger root systems, thicker stems, and higher foliar nitrogen levels.
• Seedlings with organic nitrogen exhibited larger root systems and higher overall growth compared to those on ammonium nitrate. After seven years, trees treated with Arevo show 40% more volume compared to those fertilized with ammonium nitrate.

The significance of forestry to the future

Tree nurseries aren’t just planting forests, they’re planting the future. With climate-smart breeding, organic nitrogen innovation, and decades of forestry wisdom, they are shaping forests that are not only resilient and productive, but regenerative.

Managed well, forests are one of the most powerful tools we have for balancing human prosperity with planetary boundaries. In the hands of skilled growers, each seedling becomes a step toward a world where sustainability isn’t a sacrifice… it’s a strategy.

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References:

• Tree Physiology (2001): Conifer seedlings grown with organic N (arginine) showed 80% nitrogen recovery and better growth than inorganic-fed counterparts.
• Tree Physiology (2014): Uptake of organic N is regulated by roots, not just carbon supply.
• Frontiers in Plant Science (2022): Arginine-fed spruce seedlings exhibited higher biomass, needle N, and more stable growth.
• Arevo’s solutions for forestry