Forests take about 28,8% of the territory of Poland (2006). 78,4% of this area is administrated by the State Forests. At their head is the Director-General. He has in charge 17 Regional Directorates covering with their activity the whole country.

       The territory of the Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Szczecin lies in the North-West part of Poland, within the bounds of following voivodeships (provinces): West-Pomerania, Lubuskie, Great Poland. The hummocky relief of the terrain, formed during the Baltic glaciation, cut by valleys and lakes and covered with forests, contributes to the uniqueness of local landscape.

       The RDSF in Szczecin administers forests and grounds on total area 688.619 ha, forests take 654.013 ha of this. The forests area takes in the North part (West-Pomerania voivodeship) 57% in the South part – Lubuskie voivodeship – 39% und Great Poland voivodeship – 4% of the territory. Thanks to rational forest management remained here close and extensive forest complexes: Wolińskie, Wkrzańska, Goleniowska, Bukowa, Piaskowa, Gorzowska, Notecka und Lubuska Forests.

       The soil richness has great influence on the forest site, and in consequence on the diversity of the forest ecosystem. Regarding the soil moisture, one distinguished dry, fresh, moist and marshy forest sites.

Share of forest site types in the forests of RDSF in Szczecin (2006)

      Such a structure of forest sites is not without influence on the species composition of local stands. Scotch pine is the dominant species. Stands which Scotch pine plays the dominant role take 76,7% of total forest area.

Area share of dominant species in the forests of RDSF in Szczecin (2006)