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Row planting for tree species diversity increase and labour efficiency

Good practices

Nov 15, 2025
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photo

The picture shows row planting, with seedlings arranged in clear, parallel lines. This illustrates an organised and efficient planting method used in forest restoration.

Row planting that combines pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) with native species such as Prunus spp. and Sorbus spp. enhances tree species diversity and supports forest ecosystem services. Labour efficiency is significantly improved through the use of appropriate machinery for site preparation.

Context:

Converting existing stands into mixed pedunculate oak forests enhances their resilience to climate change and increases their ecological value. Restoration efforts focus on improving structural diversity through the planting of native species. Restoring these forests contributes to the well-being of local communities by reducing the impact of extreme climate events such as flooding, strong winds, and temperature extremes, wh.ile also enhancing overall quality of life. The use of necessary machinery increases operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while also creating employment opportunities —particularly for less physically demanding tasks such as tending, thinning, weeding, and monitoring.

Problem Description:

Low biodiversity and low native tree species diversity in monoculture plantations are concerns. A shortage of forest planting material during restoration efforts was caused by inadequate monitoring and planning of nursery production. The realization of the importance of seedling age—ideally seedlings two and three years old—also highlighted planning in nursery production as a good practice for successful restoration. Labour shortages have also appeared as a challenge during restoration activities.

Implementation Steps:

 •    Promoting native tree species diversity, enhancing biodiversity, and improving labour efficiency
•    Planting of native tree species—Quercus robur L., Prunus avium L.—while supporting the development of mixed stands. Natural regeneration of additional tree species, such as Ulmus spp. and Tilia spp.
•    Mixtures are created with pedunculate oak and wild cherry seedlings planted within the same rows. The ratio is about 90% - 95% pedunculate oak to 5% - 10% other valuable species. Every 10th to 15th pedunculate oak position in the row is planted with another valuable species, such as wild cherry.
•    Constructing fences and performing regular maintenance, such as tending, to protect seedlings from wildlife grazing (fences are constructed around the entire restored area).
•    Weeding was carried out with attention to the different growth dynamics of the planted species. The faster pace of growth of wild cherry compared to pedunculate oak was managed through spatial arrangement, density regulation, and targeted tending measures.
•    Use of black locust posts (3 meters high) and iron rebar mesh (400 cm × 220 cm, Ø 8 mm)
•    Row planting (dimensions of planting hole according to plant age) with the use of forest mechanisation
•    Seedlings of pedunculate oak: height 50 - 80 cm, known origin, quantity - 5000 pcs per ha
•    Wild cherry seedlings: height 50 - 80 cm, known origin, quantity - 100 pcs per ha  

Stakeholder Engagement:

The majority of forests in the broader demo area are managed by the public enterprises Croatian Forests Ltd., Serbia Forests and Vojvodina Forests, whose practitioners carried out the row planting practice and were well informed about restoration activities. The local communities, along with forestry workers, and nature protection organizations, benefited from the reforestation efforts.

Knowledge Types:

Scientific knowledge is incorporated through data collection, which will be further analysed and used for dissertations and other scientific studies. Practical knowledge is continuously developed through on-site restoration activities and ongoing fieldwork, including improvements in nursery production. Local knowledge is also integrated, as the involvement of the local community in restoration efforts has led to increased interest and support.

Replicability:

YES, the practice has been tested and replicated in multiple contexts and scales and therefore, can be easily transferred and/or adapted to other initiatives with similar goals.

This practice has been used in Croatian and Serbian forestry for many years and was applied within the SUPERB project across 60 hectares of riparian and floodplain forests. It was implemented by the state enterprises Croatian Forests Ltd., Serbia Forests, and Vojvodina Forests, in coordination with the Croatian Forest Research Institute and the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment. The results were successful, thanks to the established practices of experienced forestry technicians. This approach could be applied to other forest stands in Croatia, Serbia, and beyond.

Key Success Factors:

•    The demonstration of successful restoration actions, along with their social and ecological benefits, serves as a political enabler by fostering support and policy engagement.
•    Restoration activities contribute to local economic development by generating revenues and employment opportunities, serving as economic enabler.
•    The implementation and advancement of adapted forest management practices function as an environmental enabler by enhancing native tree species diversity, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.

Common Constraints:

•    The main technical barriers we faced were the lack of adapted forest reproductive material and insufficient workforce. 
•    Social barriers included rural depopulation and limited public interest in forest restoration. 
•    Environmental barriers were the lack of evidence regarding biodiversity impacts and the significant influence of invasive non-native species.

Lessons Learnt:

•    Even though row planting is a well-established method in Croatian and Serbian forestry, planting various native tree species such as Prunus spp. and Sorbus spp. is a new practice that increases diversity and resilience of forests.
•    The use of mechanization has enabled time savings and streamlined operational procedures. 
•    We have confirmed that converting monoculture plantations into mixed-species stands enhances biodiversity, increases carbon sequestration, and contributes positively to climate change adaptation.

Positive Impacts:

  • Improved tree species regeneration
  • Increased share of forests dominated by native species
  • Increased structural diversity
  • Increased tree species diversity
  • Increased wood and biomass production

The main impacts were evaluated by scientists and forest engineers, who monitored the restoration progress and recognized that even minor adjustments in planting techniques—such as those in nursery production—can lead to significantly different outcomes.

Negative Impacts:

  • Reduced timber quality or quantity

This good practice improves timber quality but reduces timber quantity because Euro-American poplar trees, which were replaced by pedunculate oak trees, are faster-growing species with a shorter stand lifespan, resulting in more timber produced over a shorter period compared to pedunculate oak stands.

Source/Author(s)
  • Martina Đodan
  • PhD; Zoran Galić
  • PhD
Topic
  • Active Restoration
  • Implementation
  • Planning & Upscaling
Degradation Driver
  • Environmental
Scale Area
  • 81,5