The 18th Century and the Inexhaustible Forest

The forest has always been an important resource for the population and workers of northern Sweden. The forest provided wild game and berries but also firewood and the lumber needed for the construction of buildings, fences, mills and tools. The trees could also be processed into charcoal and fatwood and sold for profit. 

The woods stretched for miles and was viewed as practically endless and slash-and-burn agriculture was commonplace in the country as a whole. The plants in the forest were cut down, left to dry and then burned. On the resulting swidden, barley and rye was sown; sometimes along with turnips. After the harvest, the swidden was used for pasture.

As early as the 18th century voices were raised concerning the fact that the woodlands were being exhausted. A shortage of lumber even occurred in some areas of northern Sweden. More densely populated areas where subject to an almost complete deforestation due to felling, storms or the ravaging by enemies. Lumber shortage was otherwise mainly caused by transportation possibilities. Beyond the reach of cities, ironworks and lumber mills the forests were still vast and plentiful.

The voices that were raised concerning the shortage of wood may have been politically motivated or simply raised for the sake of profit margins to limit the competition for these resources. The slash-and-burn agriculture employed by the farmers was sometimes extensive and could be seen as a threat to the coal supply. In reality, the shortage on coal was due to disagreements between the farmers and the industry regarding the price.

18th century silviculture seems to have been largely devoid of ambitions to nurture the woodlands. What was needed was simply taken. During this time period, forest exploitation—rather than forestry—was prevalent.