The main species used for afforestation in Iceland is the native birch (Betula pubescens). Silver birch (Betula pendula) may be an alternative in lowland areas with increasing temperatures. Seeds are collected in the wild or from planted trees. Other important species in Iceland include Larix sibirica, Larix decidua and the hybrid Larix sibirica x Larix decidua, Populus trichocarpa, Pinus contorta, Picea sitchensis, Picea glauca and Abies lasiocarpa (Christmas trees).

Percentage of seedlings delivered to Icelandic forestry in different species categories in 2019.

The forestry sector in Iceland aims to increase the forest cover from slightly above 1% to 12% within the year 2100. After a steady increase in the number of planted forest seedlings since 1990, a significant obstacle for the afforestation project has been the economic recession starting 2008, causing the seedling market to decline.

After years of cutbacks the afforestation budget started to increase again, a development that must be seen in connection with the plan to reduce carbon emission by increased sequestration and meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate change. A plan for mitigation of climate change was announced in 2019. It aims at doubling afforestation and revegetation efforts. A system for trade of carbon sequestration is expected to cause a higher private financing of forestry in Iceland in near future. 

Seedling statistics for Denmark is not available. As an overview of the most important species in the Danish forestry, the proportions of the total forest area covered by each species are presented in the pie chart below. It is important to note that the conifers are planted and introduced species, whereas for instance beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) often are regenerated naturally. Furthermore, the use of seedlings per area would be much higher for short-rotation Christmas trees (e.g. Abies species) than for typical long-rotation species such as oak (Quercus spp).

The deliverance of seedlings to forestry for Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch (Betula spp.) is presented for the years 2006-2019 for Norway, Sweden and Finland (Figure 4).

In 2016 NOK 33 mill was allocated to climate mitigation measures within the forest sector in Norway. The funds were divided into three different uses; denser planting of forest, fertilization and breeding. There was a shortage of spruce seedlings in Norway the same year. Political aim and increased funding for climate mitigation measures, including denser planting of forest, caused a growing demand for seedlings.

In Sweden, scots pine has steadily increased in use during the last decade. One reason for this is probably the decline in reforestation by natural regeneration that has been noted during the same period. Drought and forest fires in 2018 caused low reforestation activities that year and destruction of millions of seedlings.