The Hyggligt concept

Continuous-cover forestry (hyggesfritt skogsbruk) is labor-intensive and often perceived as complicated. For an individual forest owner, it can be difficult to manage a forest with continuous-cover methods—partly because there’s a knowledge gap in Swedish forestry, and partly because the workflow differs from traditional approaches. In clear-cut forestry, decisions are made at the stand level. In continuous-cover forestry—and in selection cutting (plockhuggning)—decisions are made at the tree level. There is also a common misconception that growth and ingrowth in continuous-cover stands are worse.

With a unique approach to harvest planning, we remove the friction and make continuous-cover forestry both profitable and accessible for more forest owners.

Tree-level decisions instead of stand-level decisions

Using drones and LiDAR, we collect data across the stand. Every tree is scanned and analyzed, producing information such as position, timber volume, species, and local competition. We then use this data to decide which trees should be harvested and which should remain.

Optimized profitability with centered selection cutting

Once we have essential information about each tree, Hyggligt’s optimization model determines which trees to harvest. The model considers many parameters, but is primarily driven by a calculation of each tree’s local competition. Mature trees are removed through precision harvesting, while smaller trees remain. The selection is optimized for the forest’s economic profitability—both short and long term.

With the Hyggligt concept, the forest regenerates naturally and becomes more structurally diverse (more layered), while the site’s production capacity is used as effectively as possible given its conditions.

Profitable, sustainable, and continuous-cover

Compared to traditional management methods, the Hyggligt concept can deliver better long-term economics, support biodiversity more effectively, and result in lower climate emissions.