Over the past 70 years Latvia has experienced a substantial increase in the forest-covered area and the stock volume. Between 1935 and 2005, the forest-covered area has increased 1.7 times, and the growing stock - 3.3 times. Thus, there is no reason to claim that the forests are depleted. The forest area is increasing due to natural factors favouring forest growth (soils, climatic conditions, and human activities), less land used for farming, and more forests established on surplus farmlands. The higher growing stock is explained by an increase in the forest-covered area, the annual removals below the annual increment, and purposeoriented management activities like stand tending and the use of genetically improved planting stock for forest regeneration.
Between 1935 and 2005, forest area in Latvia has increased 1.7 times, and the growing stock - 3.3 times.
Conifer stands, in terms of stock volume making 59% of the total, are the most typical forests for the conditions of Latvia. However, there are some differences in tree species composition between the state-owned and private forests. In state forests the conifers predominate (69% of the entire standing volume), while in private forests the proportion of broadleaves is higher (birch 33%, grey alder 11%, aspen 4% of the entire growing stock). These differences are explained by the private forests situated mainly on former farmlands, which have overgrown by broadleaves naturally.
