Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson is the head supervisor of Reykjavík City's urban forests. The main forests are in Elliðaárdalur, Öskjuhlíð and Hólmsheiði. He is also a musician and says working in forestry and music are both artistic. Planting used to be the main work, but now thinning is also a major task to improve the experience in Reykjavík residents' recreational forests.
An influential figure in Hallgrímur's life was Jóhann Pálsson, former Head of Landscaping, who was married to his father's sister. "I often went with him to the botanical garden in Akureyri and followed him around. He wore his green Fjallräven jacket and I thought he was so cool. He always stopped at trees and examined the leaves," says Hallgrímur, adding that he always found great peace in such environments.
Öskjuhlíð a natural playground
Hallgrímur's parents are from Akureyri, but he grew up in Hlíðar where Öskjuhlíð was the children's natural playground, "an exciting adventure spot", so he knows firsthand the importance of vegetation and forests in a city.
His mother diligently taught him plant names, and Jóhann often took him to Kálfamói in Keldur where he had a cultivation plot and taught him about plants. "He was always willing to answer questions and explain things about plants. The passion was contagious," says Hallgrímur. He thought a lot about plants, but it wasn't until he started working in gardening with a friend that he realized this could be more than a hobby.
He went on to study at Garðyrkjuskólinn á Reykjum (Horticulture School in Reykir) where he met more people passionate about trees and plants, and gradually immersed himself deeper in the field. He is still expanding his knowledge and is currently studying forestry at Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands (Agricultural University of Iceland).
Forestry requires patience
"This is not just a job but a passion," says Hallgrímur, who looks forward to going to work when he wakes up in the morning. "But a forest doesn't grow in a day, and that's when you're grateful for those who came before, people like Jóhann. You need to show patience in this job. Plants grow at different rates and you may not see the final outcome. You need to think ahead and consider who will enjoy the forest."
He explains that the picture is never truly final because forest maintenance is so important, as is their development for public use. Reykjavík and all of Iceland are maturing in forestry. In many places, it's been a long time since forests were planted, and they can become dense and difficult to traverse. Species may also need to be replaced. For example, willow species can be good at the start of afforestation as they grow quickly and provide shelter, but later need to be felled to allow other species to thrive.
We're now at this maintenance stage and it's important to thin.
"We're now at this maintenance stage and it's important to thin. It's fun to walk into a well-developed forest and create light and space for the next generations because nothing happens in the shade. People want to spend time in the forest," he says, which is why there needs to be room for walking paths, play areas, fitness trails and the like. "The forest needs to be made attractive so people can enjoy it," he adds, saying there's an opportunity to use forests better for picnics or other experiences and play.
Important of thinning and making room for new trees and species
Hallgrímur says he and his staff sometimes notice people not understanding why they're felling trees, but the work of forestry staff now involves thinning as much as planting. It's also a safety measure to fell trees near walking paths that could split in bad weather and cause danger. The urban forests team has one group for planting and another for thinning. Both are always ongoing, says Hallgrímur.
Recently, they've been working a lot on the holm in Elliðaárdalur. "We've been adding new species, removing finished trees and creating space for new ones. We've been planting slightly different trees and thinking about the appearance and diversity," he says. Factors considered for species include flowering, berries and autumn colors, as a forest can have great diversity and be enjoyed year-round.
The forest is a cycle with new generations constantly coming in. "With thinning, we're really just speeding up the process and taking the trees that will eventually fall," he says, but the trees removed may not work well enough where they are, and another species is found that thrives better in the conditions.
Creating a better experience
Forests provide great shelter, but trees may need to be felled to let in light, and in the shelter that has formed, new species get a chance to thrive in these changed conditions. This then gives a different and more enjoyable experience on walks. The best experience isn't always facing a dark wall of conifers where you can barely pass through.
It's not surprising that emphasis has been placed on Elliðaárdalur as it's a popular outdoor area in a good location in the city and the forest benefits many. There has also been development with Elliðaárstöð which attracts more people to the area.
Large forest in Hólmsheiði
Another area where a large forest has grown and is a future outdoor area for Reykjavík residents is Hólmsheiði. A lot of work has gone into planting and cultivation, and it's growing as a recreational area. "Most people know Heiðmörk, but fewer realize how big the forest has become in Hólmsheiði," he says.
Paradísardalur (Paradise Valley) is also widely used, as is the forest around Rauðavatn, where the first steps in forestry in Iceland were taken over a hundred years ago.
He is interested in establishing an arboretum in the city, where various trees could be viewed and learned about, possibly in collaboration with others. The urban forests department is already in good cooperation with the Reykjavík Botanical Garden and the Reykjavík Forestry Association.
Forestry is artistic work
Hallgrímur is also a musician and is known for being the drummer in the band Sólstafir. He says being a musician and in forestry don't particularly go well together time-wise, but both jobs are artistic. "For me, being a forester is artistic work, but it's very different from timber production. A timber producer doesn't function particularly well in a recreational forest," he says, but to see the possibilities in the forest requires a certain sensitivity and imagination to utilize the opportunities. You need to "direct" the forest because it becomes monotonous if all trees are to play the lead role. Species must be given space to breathe and thrive.
Nature works for us
"I view the work as always trying to imitate nature, otherwise you might as well go cultivate a garden somewhere. In the garden, humans are often trying to control everything, but in the forest, we're trying to let nature work for us," he says, which is precisely why you need to know which species thrive in the conditions.
"We in cultivation certainly have our favorite species, but you need to put this in context that we won't always be here to enjoy the results, but are creating for the future. You can't just think about yourself."