Abstract
In accordance with the National Program for Increasing Forest Cover it is planned to augment Poland’s forest cover to 30% by 2020. This task involves afforestation of agricultural lands by pioneer species that have low habitat requirements, such as the silver birch or the Scots pine. Application of sawdust, clear cutting residues, compost bark and compost beneath tree roots contributed to better development of the assimilation apparatus. The use of mineral fertilizer stimulated tree growth as well as improved physical and chemical properties of soil.