A Larger Facility for Improved Seed Production

A greenhouse of around 1,000 square metres already stands at Vaglir and is commonly referred to as the seed house or even the seed hall. It has been used for the production of high-quality tree seed for several decades, primarily seed from 'Hrymur', a hybrid developed from selected Russian and European larch trees. It combines the strengths of both species while avoiding the principal drawbacks associated with their cultivation in Iceland. It has proved particularly successful in southern and western Iceland, where Russian larch cultivation has often been challenging because of unstable winter weather. Such conditions increase the risk of trees breaking dormancy too early and subsequently being damaged by late winter frosts.

Built to Withstand Heavy Snow Loads

The new greenhouse seed orchard will be larger than the existing one, measuring just under 100 metres in length and 16.5 metres in width, with a total floor area of 1,636 square metres. It is a steel-framed structure clad with 16-millimetre insulating polycarbonate panels. The greenhouse will be equipped with conventional heating controls and ventilation provided through automated ridge vents. It has been specifically designed to withstand the heavy snow loads that are common in Vaglaskógur.

When Landogskogur.is visited the site last week, installation supervisor Andres Hinst was overseeing the work. He and five colleagues have been working every day in recent weeks to erect the structure. According to Hinst, the greenhouse is similar to others he has helped install, with the cladding being the main difference. Most greenhouses of this type are covered with a double layer of flexible plastic sheeting, such as the two greenhouses at the Sólskógar plant nursery in Akureyri that were erected by the same company.

Estonian Specialists Leading Construction

The company, Topgreen, is based in Estonia and specialises in the supply and installation of greenhouses and associated technical equipment. Its greenhouses have been installed in numerous European countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Sweden. Hinst hopes that work on the main structure will be completed by 10 September, after which a range of internal installation work will remain. More information on that phase of the project will be provided at a later date.

From Planning to Construction

The foundations for the greenhouse were constructed by Jarðverk ehf. Excavation work was carried out last autumn, and the site was filled with gravel that settled over the winter. ÁK-smíði subsequently cast the concrete foundation this spring. Engineering consultancy Efla provided surveying, design drawings and tender documentation following a thorough assessment of requirements. Topgreen’s bid was assessed as the most advantageous and, in fact, made it possible to construct a larger greenhouse than had originally been envisaged.

Expanding Capacity for Tree Improvement

Larch plants grafted with shoots from selected parent trees have already been prepared and will be placed in the new greenhouse seed orchard over the coming months. At the same time, work will begin on renewing the oldest trees in the existing facility and further improving Hrymur seed production. The additional capacity also creates opportunities to develop other activities supported by the new infrastructure, with improved quality as a guiding principle. Further details will be shared in due course.