To my mind forests are an important component of Latvia's environment. Therefore, the aim of forestry is also to preserve the diversity of nature. For this reason a certain part of the Latvian land area is subject to some form of nature protection. Economically important forest byproducts in Latvia are resin, sap, branches and Christmas trees. Also of interest are medicinal plants, buds, bast fibres, bark birch boughs and other decorative forest materials. Forests are providing also possibilities for hay making, cattle grazing, positioning of apiaries, collection of forest seeds for reforestation, collection of berries, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and other raw materials found in the wild. …
