33. The forestry

The forest is important to the people of Roslagen. It provides fodder for livestock, wood for heating and timber for house and boat building. When iron processing took off in the 17th century, enormous amounts of forest were used for the coal mines. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the demand for sawn timber increased. In many parts of the country, practically all the forest was cut down, and the landscape became empty and desolate. But Roslagen, with its relatively barren and calcareous bedrock and its simple peasant forestry, preserves much of its natural forests. The forests of Roslagen offer a varied nature with everything from barren rocky pine forests along the coast to more typical woodland inland. In 1951, a small sawmill was built in Norrby. The sawmill soon became known throughout Häverö for its special dimensions and was kept in operation until 2009.

Norrby and Bergby have their outlying areas up here in the northern area. In the summer, the cows are herded to graze on the outlying areas. In the winter, logging is carried out up here. The value of the forest becomes apparent in the summer of 1859 when a large forest fire breaks out on the border with Utsund. A large part of Norrby’s forest is destroyed. Norrby’s farmers believe that farmer Matts Jansson in Utsund, through carelessness when burning peat, is responsible for the fire. They sue him in the district court, which, however, finds Matts Jansson not guilty.

The moose hunt brings together all the men in the village, but other hunting is also carried out in the forests. Today, modern, small-scale forestry is carried out in these forests. The forests are also popular among the public for walks, berry and mushroom picking. The forest continues to be important for the residents of our villages.