Sustainable Forestry

Our forestry is sustainable; the forest is actively used as a renewable resource from a climate perspective, ensuring biological diversity and safeguarding the importance of forest and wilderness areas for culture, the environment, and outdoor recreation, as well as for those whose livelihood is linked to the forest. Pihl is a member of Glommen Mjøsen Skog’s FSC and PEFC group scheme and follows the Norwegian PEFC Forest Standard. Since the property is of significant size with large forest areas, we typically have FSC audits and inspections every year.

In Pihl, ordinary forestry is practiced in the southern part of the property, meaning south of Hamarseterhøgda, while mountain forest logging is conducted north of Hamarseter. In the mountain forest, selective logging is practiced, and the harvested areas are smaller. Approximately 10,000 cubic meters of timber are extracted annually, which is below the property’s balance volume. Balance volume is approximately what the forest on the property produces in m3 annually.

The year after harvesting, the areas are scarified and ditched before new forest is planted. Between 20,000 and 40,000 forest plants are set out each year. From the time a seedling is planted until it can be harvested as a mature tree, about 120 years pass. In forestry, this is called the rotation period, which becomes longer the higher up towards the mountains and the tree line you go. For comparison, the rotation period can be as low as 50 years down by Lake Mjøsa.

Mountain Forest

All forest extending from Åstdalen, with high-altitude forest above 700 meters, is classified as mountain forest. This forest is vulnerable, and it is extra important that forest management is done correctly. In these areas, logging permits must be applied for annually, and there are requirements for planning, inspections, and documentation on how the logging will be carried out. To maintain a good overview of special considerations, environmental forms are filled out before and after logging, which are thoroughly reviewed with the harvester operator.

Great effort is put into managing the forest in the best possible way.
Forest management must be done correctly, and biological diversity and cultural heritage must be preserved, while also facilitating rich outdoor recreation for cabin owners and visitors.