Zābaki tree nursery

A place where nature, science and sustainability meets

Zābaki tree nursery is part of our commitment to sustainably care for and develop Latvia’s fertile land and forests. We combine scientific excellence with practical and sustainable forestry, providing high-quality birch and black alder seedlings.

Zābaki is a place in Gauja National Park where every seed and seedling is cared for with responsibility, knowledge and a future perspective. It is a platform where students, policymakers, partners and community representatives can develop their understanding of responsible land use, forestry and the role of wood

Each guest is greeted by the inscription

“We are building a clean, independent and prosperous Latvia”

– a motto that reminds us of our shared responsibility for Latvia’s future.

Latvijas Finieris kokaudzētava Zābaki -
Latvijas Finieris kokaudzētava Zābaki -

The Birch Programme

The Birch Programme of “Latvijas Finieris” started in 1995 to promote responsible land management and to secure birch resources for the future. It aims to bring together forest science institutions, forest owners, processing companies and public authorities.

The Programme has developed in three phases:

  • 1995–2011 – support for landowners, the start of breeding, and the establishment of the Zābaki tree nursery;
  • 2011–2021 – researcher-industry collaboration, birch wood research;
  • from 2021 – research into the chemical processing of birch wood and new products.

The result is a robust system that ensures birch breeding, quality seedling production, forestry practices appropriate to Latvian conditions, and knowledge of these issues. This makes it possible to grow birch trees almost twice as fast. The volume, quality and value of the wood is up to 20–30% higher, with long-term benefits for forest owners and society.

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Bērzu programma
Bērzu programma

Premium tree saplings

We offer quality birch and black alder seedlings for the reforestation and afforestation of unused agricultural land.

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Field of young trees outside being mechanically watered
Field of young trees outside being mechanically watered

Our experience and expertise

 

Collaboration with researchers

1998

Latvijas Finieris “Zābaki” nursery, founded in 1998, was one of the first in the country to start producing containerised birch seedlings.

1 500 000 seedlings

Currently, the production volume has reached 1.3 to 1.5 million seedlings per year.

12 000 ha

Over the past 25 years, we have grown a total of 20 million premium seedlings, helping to create more than 12,000 ha of young stands in Latvia’s private forests.

LVMI Silava

To promote the most effective use of land, we closely cooperate with the Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava on research to improve birch cultivation practices.

Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Institute (MeKA)

Opened in 2025, the timber building complex was developed in collaboration with wood material researchers, utilising unique timber construction solutions during its build. The buildings also serve as a knowledge platform for further research into the properties, applications, and durability of timber under specific humidity and temperature conditions.

Development project 2025

To advance knowledge-based forestry, demonstrate the use of timber in construction in Latvia, and increase the availability of birch seedlings, “Latvijas Finieris” opened a new, technologically innovative timber-building complex on 29 May 2025 at its “Zābaki” tree nursery in Sigulda municipality. Its central feature is Latvia’s first and the Baltics’ unique timber construction solution: a seedling cold store with specialised microclimate regimes. Representing a green investment of over five million euros in Sigulda municipality and the Gauja National Park, the new timber building complex demonstrates that economic activity can be carried out in an environmentally friendly manner by integrating a production facility into the landscape.

The construction of the timber building complex is part of “Latvijas Finieris” broader commitment to continue investing in the development of birch cultivation technologies – known as the Birch Programme – thereby promoting modern forestry that enhances CO₂ sequestration and strengthens the development of the bioeconomy in Latvia.

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Kokaudzētavā "Zābaki" atklāta stādu dzesētava no koka

Birch seedling greenhouse

Our goal: high-quality, climate-resistant seedlings from carefully selected seed material for the future forests of the fertile Baltic soil.

Every year, around 1.5 million birch saplings for reforestation are grown in “Zābaki” greenhouses.

Of these, around 500 000 are planted in the field.

We also offer birch container plants, which provide around 10–20% higher quality and future wood volume compared to conventional plants.

We mainly sell birch seedlings in the Baltic region – to individuals, forest owners, and companies.

Bērza stādu siltumnīca
Bērza stādu siltumnīca

Great Oak. Master’s House.

“Zābaki” tree nursery started operation in 1998 with a far-sighted goal – to cultivate high-quality birch and alder seedlings in a timely manner, ensuring a sustainable supply of raw material for veneer production in the decades to come.

But “Zābaki” is also a place of legends and stories. One of them says that the origins of “Zābaki” date back to the time of the Great Northern War, when Count Hans Heinrich Lieven, fleeing from the dangers of war, buried valuable items here and planted a new oak tree above it. While running over a mountain, he lost his boot.

Thus the place got its name (“zābaki” means “boots”), and the oak tree, which is still the heart of the nursery, the guardian of time and watcher, continues to grow big and strong in the yard of the nursery host’s house.

Only the “Zābaki” ancient oak tree knows its age. Locals called this tree the Lieven Oak, and later the Oak of Strength. Legends say that its acorns were used to make a delicious acorn “coffee”.

Daily life is still ongoing in the “Zābaki” host’s house. For peace and privacy, you are welcome to explore the tree nursery and its landscape by following the available trails and sights.

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Dižozols
Dižozols
Saimnieka māja

Zābakkalns (Boot Hill)

Located in Gauja National Park – one of the most beautiful and oldest protected landscapes in Latvia. The place has always been known for its sweeping views across the curves of the Gauja valley, the rhythm of the terrain and the diversity of its forests.

Once, as many as seven arcs of the River Gauja could be seen from Zābakkalns – a view that formed the hill’s identity and gave it outstanding scenic value. Nowadays, this panorama is obscured by dense stands of fir trees, and the landscape is no longer fully perceptible.

This is a reminder of the importance of open and maintained landscapes in a national park. The view is not just a visual treat – it is part of the cultural memory and natural values. The landscape would be more complete and closer to its historical image if it were possible to again see the vastness of the valley and the picturesque reflections of the forests in the curves of the River Gauja.

Zābakkalns is one of the most prominent landforms in the area, reaching about 107 metres above sea level. From the top of the hill, you can see Sigulda very clearly on the opposite bank of the river – the starting platform of the bobsleigh run, the television tower and, in winter, the lights of the downhill ski slopes.

The hill lives with the seasons, giving the opportunity to observe the rhythm of nature and the changing seasons in the landscape. In spring, it awakens in all its freshness and greenness, and in autumn, it turns hundreds of colours. In winter, as snow covers the hill and valley, it turns into a centre for active recreation – a ski hill.

It is this diversity that makes Zābakkalns a special place in the “Zābaki” tree nursery.

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Zābakkalns
Zābakkalns
Zābakkalns
Zābakkalns

This birch grove

Planted on 23 April 1999, when the first Latvijas Finieris’ Forest Days were held in “Zābaki” nursery, bringing together forest scientists, researchers, foresters, wood processors, and local residents to revive the idea of the Birch Programme.

The seedlings were grown from forest stand seeds, as there were no modern seed plantations in Latvia at that time. That is why these trees are special – they mark a historical stage in the story of “Zābaki” and “Latvijas Finieris”.

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Bērzu birzs
Bērzu birzs
Bērzu birzs

Birch Forest Chronosequence

Looking from the birch grove across the fields to the other side of the River Gauja, you also see birch trees. Imagine a giant clock with 12-hour sections. From 14 September 2017, we plant new trees every three years in the same time slot – the “birch tree” section. The circle will end in 2050.

The idea is to let everyone see:

  • how the forest stand, birch height, canopy, and stem thickness change with age;
  • what forestry work is needed at different stages of development: tending, thinning, etc.
Birch Forest Chronosequence
Birch Forest Chronosequence

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Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact us

AS “Latvijas Finieris” kokaudzētava “Zābaki”
“Zābaki”, Krimuldas pagasts, Siguldas novads, LV-2144

Phone: +371 29 463 658

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