Description
The Provincial Agency for State Forests (Aprofod) produces its own plant material used in works carried out under direct administration, partially supporting the needs of other provincial structures that require this specific type. The same material, suitably processed and integrated with purchased species, is assigned, upon request and appropriate evaluation, to municipalities and other public interest entities in order to favour the creation, integration and renewal of the urban green fabric.
This activity is provided for by Provincial Law no. 11 of 23 May 2007 and by the specific regulation referred to in articles 31 and 32 concerning the methods of collection, acquisition and transfer of forest reproductive material. From an operational point of view, it takes the form of the management of three agronomic holdings, in which the forest nursery production of the Service is carried out according to the indications contained in Article 32 of the Law, which states "the provincial structure in charge of forestry may provide for the production of locally sourced forest reproductive material, with the aim of guaranteeing its availability for the works and interventions provided for by this law, as well as for interventions in areas of particular naturalistic importance or with the aim of re-naturalisation or environmental improvement, or of ornamental plants for the realisation of interventions of public value".
Provincial forest nurseries
Two nurseries are located in the provincial territory and are managed directly by the Provincial Forest Agency: the Casteller forest nursery in San Rocco di Villazzano (Trento) and the San Giorgio nursery in Val di Sella, in the municipality of Borgo Valsugana.
The total surface area allocated to cultivation is approximately five hectares and there is an annual production of conifers and broadleaf trees for reforestation, shrubs used for the creation of natural barriers to prevent drift in agriculture, melliferous species and ornamental plants that can be used in urban environments.
To date, thanks to the close collaboration with the Forestry and Fauna Service, 15 workers are employed at the above-mentioned facilities to prepare (from seed collection to transplanting), cultivate, maintain and distribute the plant material produced, as well as to carry out urban green works and interventions. Supporting these personnel, during the production season and according to need, are seasonal workers and students who request a period of practical training through the school body.
In addition to the nursery staff, during the spring season, a temperature- and humidity-controlled cold storage room is in operation at Mattarello in Loc. Maset, which allows the bare-root plants extracted in the spring to be preserved in the best possible way. This allows the start of the vegetative cycle to be delayed and guarantees good rooting at planting.
Purpose and use of nursery production
In recent years the use of plant material from nursery activities has undergone significant changes, especially in relation to the decreasing demand for bare-root material used for reforestation and restoration purposes. On the other hand, this type is still significant for activities related to the maintenance of larch groves, for bioengineering operations and for the formation of drift hedges in an agricultural context. Naturalistic engineering as a method of execution of slope systemic works is customary in forestry work: for this use, it is important to have quality nursery material with genetic characteristics that make it suitable for the site of use.
At the same time, with the aim of enhancing the potential of vegetation from the point of view of improving the quality of life and the urban environment, the production of plants suitable for the creation of vegetation barriers to reduce noise, visual and dust pollution, buffer strips in agriculture, and wildlife corridors has been developed, as well as the in-depth study of topics related to recreational urban greenery, industrial green roofs and therapeutic green areas.
The Tempest Vaia event at the end of October 2018, which characterised Trentino, then essentially led to a reassessment of the importance of forest nurseries and the function for which they were created, thus leading to an extraordinary and sudden reprogramming of activities and resources.
How can I get plants?
Target audience:
- Public bodies (municipalities, schools, bodies and associations with a public purpose)
- Private individuals who own farms, beekeepers, owners of forest plots
Quantity and characteristics of plants, where and when to collect them:
- To be agreed following initial contacts and at a later stage, depending on availability
How to make the request:
- Send an email to agenzia.forestedemaniali@pec.provincia.tn.it specifying the destination, purpose of use of the plant material and any specifications regarding species and quantities required.
Urban green jobs
For a number of years now, the Provincial Forestry Agency of the Autonomous Province of Trento has been engaged, through its Nurseries and Green Outside Forestry Sector, in carrying out work on the creation and maintenance of green works in urban areas. These works involve part of the staff of the nursery facilities and in particular cases support is also requested from forestry workers located in the provincial territory affected by the works.
These works are carried out on behalf of other provincial services such as the Road Management Service and the Civil Works Service or on behalf of other public bodies, for example: Municipalities, School Authorities or RSAs. In the first case, interventions are mainly identified for the mitigation and creation of vegetation barriers in the road context; in the second case, on the other hand, compatibly with the timing of the intervention and availability, work is carried out in various areas for the purpose of redeveloping disused areas, renovating public areas, beautifying parking areas, creating green areas in a school context, etc.
Every need is examined, assessed and planned with the client body, which is asked to collaborate in economic terms, depending on the case, for the supply of material, rental of mechanical equipment or other.
