“Hardwood Development for North Scotland

2017 ICF North Scotland Hardwood Development for North Scotland: Progress & Options Kiltarlity/ Beauly, Inverness-shire - 27th April 2017 Subject Matter This meeting will examine the progress in realising the potential of hardwood trees for timber and woodfuel production in the north of Scotland as well as at options and Research and Development needs for the future. There is a long-standing history of hardwood silviculture (oak, ash, elm, beech. sycamore) on certain private estates in the region. However recent decades have seen a growing perception that hardwoods cannot be grown economically at this latitude (57-59 degN) despite experience to the contrary from Scandinavia and development work by Highland Birchwoods etc. Few hardwood stands in the region have been managed for timber since the 1950’s. Recent increases in demand for estate woodfuel and interest in local/community woodland management have raised the profile of hardwoods. The Forestry Commission aims to manage a proportion of their hardwood resources for timber. We now need to consider what we already know and what more we need to know for the next steps. In the morning session, we have speaker presentations from relevant Forestry Commission and Forest Research staff, and from private consultants. After lunch, we will visit key local private woodlands where hardwoods are being tended for timber. Tea and Coffee will be provided. Attendees must bring their own packed lunch. Venue The morning indoor component of the meeting on Thursday 27th April will be held at Kiltarlity Village Hall near Beauly - 12 miles west of Inverness. Field visits in the afternoon will be to relevant woodland sites in the locality, under private ownership. Catering Attendees will be provided with morning tea/ coffee at the Hall. Packed lunches should be brought by attendees and can be eaten at the Hall or first woodland visit site of the afternoon. Logistics Delegates will be expected to make their own way to the indoor venue at Kiltarlity Hall. Beauly Railway Station is only 3 miles away and we can arrange to collect anyone arriving there before the meeting and return them there (or to Inverness Station) afterwards. Travel to and between the field venues will be by private vehicles (arrangements tbc on the day). Itinerary 0900-0930 Registration, Kiltarlity Hall, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7HH 0930 - 0935 Dietrich Pannwitz MICFor Chairman ICF North Region Forester for Sylvestrus Ltd., Inverness Introduction and Setting the Scene 0935-09.55 Scott Wilson MICFor Chartered Forester & Chartered Surveyor, Aberdeen The historical record of hardwood silviculture on estates in Northern Scotland 0955 -1020 Dr Jens Haufe Technical Development Forester Forest Research (Tech. Dev. Br.), Ae Silvicultural systems and options for hardwood production in Northern Scotland 1020 - 1045 Richard Thompson Native Woodlands Advisor, Forest Enterprise Scotland Producing timber from ancient semi-natural woodlands in Scotland - what’s feasible? 1045 – 1110 Douglas Halliday Niche Marketing Officer, Forest Enterprise Scotland Marketing hardwood timbers produced on the National Forest Estate in Scotland 1110 - 1125 Comfort break 1125 - 1150 Victoria Stokes MICFor Silviculturist Forest Research Northern Research Station Early results from experiments in hardwood short-rotation forestry in Northern Scotland 1150 - 1215 Steve Lee Programme Manager for Genetic Improvement Forest Research The role of tree breeding in developing quality hardwoods for Northern Scotland 1215 - 1240 Tim Rowland Development Officer Future Trees Trust The Future Trees Trust in Scotland and the National Tree Improvement Strategy 1240 - 1315 Travel to Kilmorack Cemetry and Take Short Walk into Caulternich Farm for Lunch Beside Well. Courtesy of Messrs Donald, Stephen and Sheena MacKenzie 1315 - 1330 Stephen Mackenzie Owner of Caulternich Lunch break with Introduction to Woodland Establishment and Previous Management 1330 - 1415 Viewing of Woodland and Discussion of Management 1415 - 1500 Travel to Craggach Wood, Newtonhill 1500 - 1515 David Shepherd & Annie Griffith Owners Introduction to History of Woodland and Current Management 15.15 - 16.15 Viewing and Discussion on Site 16.15 - 16.20 Conclusion of Day .

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