Forest trees are the most important Finnish renewable natural resource. Forests do not run out of trees if they are used sustainably and new trees are planted after felling. Thanks to improved forestry methods, the amount of trees found in Finnish forests has grown by approximately 60 % during the last 70 years. 

Although only one percent of planet Earth's total forest area is found in Finland, the nation provides approximately 10 % of the global paper and cardboard supply. In addition, the forest industry is an important employer for many Finns, covering approximately 4 % of the nation's total GDP. Overall, the forest industry provides approximately one fifth of the total value of goods exported from Finland. 


Trees are a renewable natural resource.

Forests are also immaterial natural resources that provide opportunities for relaxation and recreational activities, such as berry-picking, hiking and hunting. Immaterial natural resources are impossible to own, and their value cannot be measured in money. 

Forests provide various ecosystem services. They absorb water when the snows melt in the spring, reducing the risk of floods. They attract clouds that provide useful rainwater. They provide a habitat for various organisms. Most importantly, they act as carbon sinks by producing oxygen and absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

IMPORTANT FOREST PRODUCTS

Product	Amount	Unit	Value (million €)
Wood used in the forest industry	65	million m3	1 600
Fuel wood	7	million m3	110
Wood chips	9	million m3	180
Christmas trees	1,4	million trees	25
Natural berries, bought by stores	9,1	million kg	9
Natural mushrooms, bought by stores	0,9	million kg	3
Lichen, exported	0,2	million kg	1
Mammals	11,0	million kg	69
Game fowl	0,6	million kg	14
Reindeer meat	2,5	million kg	17