Up to the turn of the 18th century, forest resources in Sweden were mainly exploited in the southern part of the country. A rationalisation programme was established at a very early stage and Sweden entered the era of silviculture by placing trees at the centre of the nation’s economic system. The favourable economic climate led to silvicultural activities moving northwards, where large forests were logged right from the early 19th century and their products sold on the international market under the supervision of shrewd businessmen that belonged to prominent merchant families.