FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS

February 2016 Issue 73

Making sense of mixtures p14

Forestry and farming p18

Saying it with wood p38 Paul Vidgen Forest Machines Ltd

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4 CONFOR NEWS Six for 2016 Confor puts the case for planting as floods bring devastation ach year Confor produces a Business Plan for the year ahead, and 2016’s can be found on our website. Conference puts forestry in spotlight ahead of elections It identifies six priorities for Confor, with priority 2: E Confor moves to curb timber theft Promoting markets largely being delivered through our roles in Wood for Good and Grown in Britain: Private sector perspective on the future of FC 1. Securing wood supply in the short and longer term; Industry unites with trees, woods and 2. Promoting markets for wood products and supporting people charter woodland management; Developing a wider skills base 3. Changing attitudes towards the sector amongst politicians, A daughter for Stef With its six priorities civil servants, environmental NGOs and the public; 4. Protecting sector interests during change to the business firmly in its sights, 7 COMMUNICATING OUR SECTOR energy tax environment; Showcasing industry to a wider audience Confor has hit the new 5. Driving fundamental improvement to the operation of Maintaining the profile of timber in construction year running, says forest and chain-of-custody certification; 6. Promoting the industry’s interests as the Forestry 11 GROWN IN BRITAIN Stuart Goodall Commission splits apart. We have hit the ground running this year, explaining Fully licensed to politicians and civil servants how tree planting can help mitigate flooding. On 2 February our all party group at 11 NEWS Westminster will meet to debate this issue further, and we have Conference will tackle how timber transport joined with The Woodland Trust to write to Secretary of State, engages with society Liz Truss, asking for a meeting. UKWAS revised standard consultation now imminent The vice-chair of our group, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP has made increased tree planting one of her resolutions for the 12 RESEARCH year, and called on the Government to plant 200m trees by Taking the long view: using past research experiments 2020. Tree planting is now being quoted by politicians as part to guide future forestry of the solution. I’m also excited about the launch of our new video which 14 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT will provide an overview of the sector, highlighting modern Making sense of mixtures forestry practice and linking wood products back to the forest. The importance of expanding Scotland’s commercial This will be followed by shorter videos and an animation. forest area Confor’s website receives around 10,000 unique visits a month, Agroforestry: farming with trees which means it’s a valuable tool to spread awareness and understanding of the sector. In terms of future wood supply I’m heartened to hear that 23 BUSINESS & FINANCE new applications in Scotland have moved into line with the Timber auctions market report by Oliver Combe government’s own aspiration to plant 60% productive forests Timber market report by Peter Whitfield and the £1m Fund that minister Rory Stewart announced had FC calls for industry to take part in surveys been protected through Confor lobbying is stimulating large planting applications in England. 26 MACHINERY FOCUS 2016 will also be a year of change for the Forestry Scaling up by scaling down Commission as ministers decide how to deliver full devolution Drones: the next generation of forestry to Scotland. This will have ramifications across Smaller scale forest machinery the UK, not least because it also raises issues around Forest Research. Confor is working on these topics to develop robust, evidenced based points to make on behalf of the sector to 32 COUNTRY NEWS governments north and south of the border. At Confor we aim to produce results and not just make a 37 Planting noise. That isn’t easy to achieve within the political sphere, but Nurseries: We need to know what to sow! the organisation can point to a track record of achievements. With your support we intend to build on this and do even more 37 Plant HEALTH to help you be successful in 2016 and beyond. Keep it clean, FC urges

CONFOR CONTACTS 38 MEMBER PROFILE Saying it with wood Confor head office Caroline Harrison Martin Bishop and editorial office National manager for England National manager for Wales 59 George Street, and regional director Rheolwr Genedlaethol i Gymru Edinburgh EH2 2JG M: 07500 927482 M: 07876 029482 41 PEOPLE E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 0131 240 1410 Jamie Farquhar 41 PESTICIDES NOTEBOOK Communications and editorial FTN National manager for Scotland Sprayer Operator Certification [email protected] M: 07817 374906 While Stefanie Kaiser is on maternity leave, E: [email protected] please contact James Thomson Hylobius update T: 0131 240 1420 E: [email protected] www.confor.org.uk or Simon Tooth T: 01502 725838 Andrew Heald E: [email protected] For the latest news 42 WOODLAND OWNER National representative We want to hear from you of forestry and for N. Ireland Forestry and Timber News is your Three books, two woods and one polecat wood sign up to M: 07771 844653 magazine, please contact us with #forestandwood E: [email protected] your views and comments on twitter Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ, on behalf of Confor. Printed by Micropress Printers. For advertising, contact Chloe Stockdale 01502 725835 / [email protected] CONFOR NEWS Confor puts case for planting as floods bring devastation

Confor has stepped up its activity following the hanced planting programme in river catchments devastating floods across the UK – to ensure that to tackle future flood risks. a significant increase in tree planting in upland Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, areas is seen as a key part of the long-term strat- said: “We have worked hard to ensure the role egy to reduce future flood risks. of tree planting in reducing flood risks is on the MPs were due to discuss the issue at a special agenda - and we are heartened by the comments meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on of MPs like Anne-Marie Trevelyan and main- Forestry (APPGF) on 2 February with Confor’s stream media coverage in places like Channel 4 Technical Director Andrew Heald and Tom Nisbet News. of Forest Research explaining the science behind “However, it is really important that we keep the issue to the Group. up the pressure and that’s why we are producing Mr Heald has produced a new paper on for- a new report, taking the debate to MPs at West- estry and flooding, which was presented to MPs minster and talking up the role of trees at every at the APPGF and which draws heavily on Mr possible opportunity. We have been involved in Nisbet’s well-received report from November arranging further coverage of the issue which will 2014, The Role of Productive Woodlands in Wa- appear in newspapers, magazines and television ter Management. - and at conferences over the coming weeks.” Austin Brady of The Woodland Trust also Mr Heald, who spoke at a major conference spoke, building on Confor’s increasing coopera- in London on the topic in January, said: “One of tion with the UK’s largest woodland conserva- the key messages is that planting trees in upland tion charity on issues of mutual interest. The areas can have an impact on water retention and two organisations have already requested a joint downstream flows within a year - it is not simply meeting with Environment Secretary Liz Truss to a long-term solution. In addition, it is without as quickly as possible, increasing the peak flow discuss the role of tree planting in reducing flood question the best long-term solution as part of of water. risks - building on the joint call for far greater am- wider natural flood management programmes. “There is now considerable interest in plant- bition in creating new forests and woodland dur- It is also very cost-effective compared to heavily- ing more trees in our uplands to strategically ing the lifetime of this parliament. engineered flood mitigation projects. slow the flow of water and reduce the impact of The Secretary of State has often mentioned “And by planting trees, we do not just help re- downstream flooding – as part of a package of planting 11 million trees in England by the end duce flood risks - we contribute towards a strate- long-term measures to alleviate the risks from of the current parliament in 2020. However, gic timber supply to serve a booming sector, help further flooding events.” this barely maintains the current low levels of to reduce carbon emissions, encourage wildlife planting at 2,500 hectares per year, half the gov- and offer a far wider range of recreational op- Case studies ernment’s stated aspiration in 2013 of 5,000 ha portunities.” The report also contains case studies where natu- per annum. Confor and The Woodland Trust have The introduction to the new report says: “The ral flood management has had a positive impact proposed 7000 ha of woodland every year until UK’s uplands are unique in Europe in that they in England, Scotland and Wales. It calls for the 2020 (around 15 million trees per year), rising to are largely treeless, as a result of many hundreds UK Government and its National Flood Resilience 10,000 ha per year when the next Government is of years of clearance. Many people enjoy these Review (NFRR), headed by Oliver Letwin MP, to elected in 2020. open spaces, but they are very poor at retaining recognise the role that tree planting can play in Anne-Marie Trevelyan, vice-chair of the AP- water, particularly during heavy rainfall events. reducing flood risks and to include it in a package PGF, suggested during a House of Commons We have engineered our landscapes – through of measures in the final NFRR report. debate in December that a target of 200 million measures like improved drainage and stream and It also says that the next steps should be trees was achievable - as part of a rapidly-en- river straightening - to move the water downhill to identify upland river catchments where tree

How do trees help reduce flood risks? 1 Trees “use” more water than grass or other 4 Trees and woody debris along streams and short vegetation, pulling more water from the river banks can also slow down the flow water ground and releasing it into the atmosphere reaching a stream, and slow down the speed of via needles or leaves. the stream reaching a river. 2 Tree roots are much larger and deeper than 5 In lowland rivers silt can reduce their capacity grass roots, so they open up the soil structure during floods. Much of this silt is soil and small and allow water to percolate into the soil stones washed into streams from fields. By much more quickly and deeply. This means planting trees, we can protect the soil and for any given area of land, the soil under trees reduce the chance of erosion. Also, trees and can store much more water than the same their roots are great at intercepting material area under grass. already moving in the water. 3 When rain falls into woodland, it takes 6 Much of the UK’s flood plains are cleared longer to reach the ground because it is of trees, and many are also built on. However intercepted by hundreds of branches, leaves allowing rivers to flood into wooded areas will and needles. This slows down the time it significantly reduce the speed and potential takes for water to reach the soil, reducing the impact of that river further downstream. storm effect. In the right weather conditions, Woodland is great at retaining flood water, water may even evaporate from the trees allowing it to soak into the ground and slowly without reaching the ground. dissipate.

4 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 Confor puts case for planting as floods bring devastation Conference puts forestry in SAVE spotlight ahead of elections THE DATE A major conference in Edinburgh will highlight address a range of key issues, 22 March the £1bn contribution of forestry to Scotland’s including: how to ensure plant- 2016 economy – on 22 March 2016, just weeks be- ing targets are met in Scotland; fore elections to the Scottish Parliament. building sustainable forestry supply chains in Confor has organised the event – Forestry rural communities; forestry and flooding; in- and Timber: Scotland’s Hidden Success Sto- novation and added value; the future of the ry – with The Scotsman Conferences to build Forestry Commission; and how forestry inter- on the excellent and wide-ranging coverage acts with local communities. The event will of the Forestry Commission Scotland report in conclude with a political panel discussion. late 2015. The report showed the sector is now Confirmed speakers include: Jo O’Hara, worth £1bn in Scotland, and that job numbers Head of Forestry Commission Scotland; Prof increased significantly through the recession. Sean Smith, Director of the Institute for Sus- “The very positive figures in the report tainable Construction at Edinburgh Napier came as no surprise to those of us in the in- University; Fergus Tickell, Argyll Timber Trans- dustry, but they were a wake-up call for others port Group; and Amanda Bryan, forestry con- in terms of how much the forestry and timber sultant and current chair of FCS. sector can achieve” said Confor Chief Execu- Mr Goodall, who will also speak, thanked tive Stuart Goodall. “For many policy-makers event sponsors Bidwells, Scottish Woodlands in Scotland, forestry still is a hidden success and Tilhill, saying: “It is tremendous that suc- story – and it’s time we shouted more loudly cessful forestry businesses recognise the im- One of the iconic images of the December about its enormous contribution to the econo- portance of these high-level discussions, which floods: the collapsed Tadcaster Bridge. my, the environment and to people’s lives. bring together people from across our sector (Picture: Mtaylor848) “This event is a timely opportunity to show- and beyond - to take the message to politi- case the sector, its achievements to date and cians that forestry and timber is delivering for planting could be most beneficial, and to exam- its potential to do much more. Our 2014 event Scotland and can continue to do so.” ine which financial mechanisms could be em- with Scotsman Conferences was excellent and For full details of the event, go to: ployed to ensure planting takes place quickly and we believe this one can be even better – there 8 www.scotsmanconferences.com/ effectively. has been a great response from across the viewconference.aspx?id=68 “The forestry sector needs to stress very for- sector and beyond showing a real appetite for Confor has negotiated a special £49 rate cibly that tree planting can have a far quicker debate on all the big issues.” for members (full price £120). Contact Liz impact than its critics suggest - and that it is very Expert speakers from across the sector will Hughson, [email protected] or 0131 240 1412. cost-effective compared to highly-engineered and highly expensive solutions which have proved insufficient in the face of very heavy rain- Confor moves to curb timber theft fall,” said Mr Heald. “We have to go back to the source of the problem - and that involves greatly Timber theft is an issue of real concern for law- The system would require co-ordination enhanced tree planting in the uplands.” abiding businesses in the forestry and timber along the supply chain, from the forest to the Confor’s country managers have also been sector. It puts legitimate businesses at a com- mill, and involvement of the public sector. With ensuring the issue is on the political agenda. mercial disadvantage and has no place in a its breadth of membership Confor is uniquely Scotland manager Jamie Farquhar has written to mature, responsible industry. placed to co-ordinate any such action and to Forestry Minister Aileen McLeod calling for tree At various times recently the issue has been press the public sector to participate. planting to be seen as part of the long-term strat- raised with Confor and, after considering op- The system also needs to offer a cost-effec- egy in Scotland, and the issue will be discussed tions for action, it has been decided that Confor tive solution to a problem whose importance at a major forestry conference in Edinburgh in will seek to develop an industry-wide system varies across the UK – effective take-up is vital. March (see opposite page - assuming this is on based on linking information on the despatch The development of the proposed system page 4 and the conference story on page 5 as of timber to the receiver of the load. This sys- will take place through Confor’s Technical agreed). Confor has also facilitated coverage of tem would need to take account of the (cur- Committee, currently chaired by Peter Whit- forestry’s contribution to alleviating flooding on rently) different systems employed, e.g. mobile field of Tilhill Forestry, with the aim of deliver- BBC Scotland’s Landward programme. despatching with pin codes by the public sector ing a model that will be ready to be rolled out Wales Manager Martin Bishop has been in and paper-based systems in the private sector. late in 2016. regular contact with the Minister for Natural Re- sources Carl Sargeant, as well as the Welsh Gov- show the potential to benefit the forestry sec- ernment and its agencies, to discuss the issue. Sector benefits from tor in the long-term through the provision of As well as political and media engagement, timber or other wood products. Mr Heald urged Confor members to engage in planning grant fund Confor lobbied hard for the £1m Fund from online conversations about the issue, especially which this grant will be paid and we urge the on Twitter, which is providing an increasingly It is understood that a number of applica- sector in England to take advantage of it. If the fertile debating space for those with an interest tions for large new planting schemes are be- Fund is all spent, and spent effectively, then it in forestry. Follow Confor @forestsandwood and ing submitted under the recently announced will be far easier for Confor to lobby for further Andrew Heald @andyheald Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG). funding. There is also a petition before Parliament on The grant supports the preparation of plans Details of the WCPG can be found at www. making tree planting a priority to reduce flooding. to design multi-purpose woodlands in England forestry.gov.uk/forestry/BEEH-A4LGDE The Confor members are encouraged to sign: https:// with a significant productive component, that closing date of the Fund is 15 February 2016. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/117136 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 5 CONFOR NEWS

Private sector perspective IN BRIEF

RFS aids forestry study on the future of FC A new £2,000 Viking Bursary and up to four funded Studentships of £1,850 each In summer 2015, UK and Scottish ministers research as a whole, at the 25 January meeting. are being launched by the Royal Forestry agreed that officials would work jointly to com- Plant Health is not part of the process that Society (RFS) under its Future Foresters plete the devolution arrangements for the man- is creating an extended FR and the future for programme for 2016. They are open to agement of forestry in Scotland by agreeing a Plant Health is unclear. FR already has most of full and part time students enrolled in transfer of Forestry Commissioners’ powers and the skills and knowledge required such as tree forestry or allied courses. In addition, the duties as they relate to Scotland, to Scottish protection, entomology, forest pathology, de- Randle Travel Bursary is once again offered Ministers. Civil service officials are currently look- tection, diagnostics, monitoring and regulatory to RFS members of any age involved in ing at these points and in particular legislation, work. Other associated matters including pes- independent study outside the United financial implications and the remaining cross- ticide research and approval, forest resilience, Kingdom. Up to four £300 Randle bursaries border FC functions. climate change and advisory support are also are being offered. In order to inform its input to this process within FR’s current expertise. 8 www.rfs.org.uk/learning/bursaries/ Confor commissioned a rapid analysis of the is- There are potential options for how Plant sues that could arise for the private sector from Health is delivered in future. It appears as if the Scotland’s finest the final dismantling of the Forestry Commis- general shift, intentional or otherwise, is towards With applications accepted up until 31 sion, these included Forest Research, the Na- overall individual Country Plant Health Offic- March 2016, organisers of Scotland’s Finest tional Inventory and Plant Health. This analysis ers where a UK CPHO (who, in practice, would Woods Awards are reminding businesses, was discussed by the Board and, following that, also be the England CPHO) would lead and schools, land owners, foresters, communities a further document was prepared developing coordinate Plant Health matters across and and individuals that their wood could be a a position that Confor could take on behalf of between devolved countries/administrations/ winner. The Awards are an annual recog- the private sector – feeding into governmental governments. nition and celebration of those who use, decision-making north and south of the border At present there are FC country PHOs and promote, own or manage Scotland’s woods (the final decisions will impact on all four coun- FC’s GB Plant Health Cross-Border Service car- and forests to deliver economic, environ- tries of the UK). ries out vital coordination working across the mental and social benefits. This document was circulated to the chairs of whole forestry sector including collaboratively 8 www.sfwa.co.uk Confor committees before Christmas and was to with FR. In addition, FC GB this year set up the be considered by the Board at an extraordinary GB and NI Tree Health Advisory Group. Call to graduates meeting on 27 January. There are key activities that make sense to Tilhill Forestry is on the hunt for candidates be retained at the UK level, in particular the interested in joining its graduate Engagement UK Forest Standard. Other activities would also programmes. Recent forestry graduates, or Confor also requested that the Scottish Forestry benefit from some form of structured cross- those studying for a degree in forestry or Trust host a meeting of UK industry, research border cooperation and/or collaboration. These related subjects, will be ideally placed to funders and research providers to explore how include the UK Woodland Carbon Code, the UK join the three-year programme. Successful the sector can better engage with setting the Timber Haulage Codes, the FC library, the FC GB applicants are assigned to a district office future research agenda post-full devolution of Plant Health portal and International Issues. or business stream where they learn every the FC, including the potential for greater, co- Confor has raised concern about the impact aspect of that area, including shadowing ordinated sector funding. This was scheduled for on staff levels and competency from the loss of experienced colleagues. They may then 25 January. a distinct Forestry Commission in England and move around the country and across Fifteen specific issues, grouped into three Scotland, and is exploring options for how there business streams, enabling them to build up broad categories, have been identified regarding could be a form of continued cross-border co- their knowledge. 8 www.tilhill.com the break-up of the FC in England and Scotland: operation on key issues. • Main topics to be retained cross-border with- RASE and RFS join forces for award in a UK/GB organisational structure; Publicly owned estate The Royal Agricultural Society of England • Key activities to be provided/retained at the An area of significant public and sector interest (RASE) and the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) UK/GB level; is the publicly owned forest estate. It is not ex- have joined forces to launch a new Small • FC key functions and roles that can be de- pected that plans regarding the Public Forest Es- and Farm Woodlands Excellence Award. volved to England and Scotland either in full or tate (PFE) in England or the National Forest Es- The new award is one of five categories in with a means of effective coordination at the tate (NFE) in Scotland will change as a result of the Excellence in Forestry Awards which this UK/GB level. this process, though Scotland could look to the year are open to entries from across the The main topics identified were Forest Re- NFE to manage all its public land holdings. In north of England. 8 www.rfs.org.uk search (FR), Inventory (IFOS)/Statistics and England, the current Government’s Manifesto Plant Health. There has been support from commits to public forests and woodlands being Trust student winner members for FR to be retained at the UK/GB ‘kept in trust for the nation’. It may be that leg- The Scottish Forestry Trust has announced level. Plans are already well underway for an islative change driven by the Scottish Minister’s the winner of the Scottish Woodlands Ltd ‘FR Plus’ organisation to be operational by April summer announcement creates an opportunity Student Excellence Award for 2015. It is 2016. This will include the transfer of IFOS/Sta- for the Westminster Government to legislate to Stuart Fraser, formerly of the University tistics from FC GB corporate services to FR. This create a new ‘Public Forest Estate Management of Aberdeen and now carrying out post- appears a sensible move and is one the private Organisation’. Confor has proposed that the pri- doctoral research at the University of sector should support as an effective means to vate sector could have a major role to play in Pretoria. His thesis “Inter and intra specific retain this important topic operating at the re- enabling FEE and FES to be more cost effective. variation in susceptibility to Dothistroma quired UK/GB level. It is expected that officials will report to min- needle blight within pine species used in The wider issue of industry engagement with isters by end-March and that any ministerial de- British forestry” was successfully completed FR (funding and direction of research) was to be cision will wait until after the devolved elections during 2015. considered, within the context of forest related in May. 6 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 Industry unites in call for trees, A daughter for Stef

I am very pleased to report that our editor, woods and people charter Stef Kaiser has given birth to a healthy daughter, Frieda Liliwen, writes Confor Confor is among more than 40 organisations Guidance and information will be provided Chief Executive Stuart Goodall. Mother and that have signed up to a campaign being led by during the campaign to inspire and support lo- baby are doing well, and Stef is intending the Woodland Trust to celebrate the value of our cal activities, and to help people create a lasting to return to her role as editor of FTN and trees and woods and secure their future by creat- legacy in communities across the UK. Funding communications manager in July. The date ing a new Charter for Trees, Woods and People. will be available for local events, activities and for Frieda to join Confor is yet to be agreed. The new charter will be launched in Novem- projects that reconnect people and trees. Any- I am also pleased to report that we have ber 2017, which marks 800 years since Henry one involved will be part of a UK-wide network secured very able cover for Stef’s maternity lll signed the original Charter of the Forest. This of groups leading local events and will represent leave in the form of James Thomson, who influential charter protected and restored the communities in this UK wide conversation about will edit FTN until Stef’s return. rights of people to access and use the Royal For- the future of woods and trees. Confor is generating significant ests. additional media interest in the sector and In a statement, the campaign organisers said is being very active in promoting the sector, that “our nation’s woods and trees are facing un- in particular to politicians. This is creating precedented pressures from development, pests additional work, alongside the production and diseases and climate change. They risk be- of new video and animation, and an ing neglected, undervalued and forgotten. Now upgraded website. It is vital, therefore, that is the time to create a new charter, a broader we have high quality cover for Stef. charter that recognises the importance of trees James has relevant experience in in our society, celebrates their enormous contri- website management, social media, feature bution to our lives, and acts now so that future writing and email marketing, and has generations can benefit from them too”. quickly become integrated into the Confor The coalition’s ambition is that the principles team. His email address is: james@confor. set out in the 2017 charter will articulate the re- org.uk lationship between people and trees in the UK in A native of Cambridgeshire, James’s the 21st century. The charter will provide guid- experience includes spells with West Coast ance and inspiration for policy, practice, innova- Energy and Rockingham Forest Trust. We tion and enjoyment. Redefining the everyday all look forward to working with him in the benefits that we all gain from woods and trees in coming months. our lives, for everyone, from Government to busi- Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust CEO (above) nesses, communities and individuals. said: “Our collective ambition is for a charter that Local groups, clubs, councils and committees puts trees back at the heart of our lives, commu- will be encouraged to take part by bringing peo- nities and decision making – where they belong. ple together to celebrate the woods and trees The charter will provide guidance and inspiration at the heart of their communities and help feed to allow us all to appreciate, preserve and cele- ideas and stories into the building of the charter. brate our trees and woods for what they do for us The 48 Charter steering group organisations are in so many different ways. Inspired by something also looking to recruit local ‘Charter Champions’ that happened 800 years ago, there is no better who will ensure their community is represented time than now to shine the spotlight again on in this ambitious project, able to seize this unique the benefits that trees and woods bring to us all opportunity to define the future for woods and today and to future generations.” trees in the UK and make their voices heard. 8 https://treecharter.uk/

• Identify routes to employment for students Developing a at all levels, over the sector • Identify barriers to current training provi- wider skills base sion for large and small employers and to stu- dents. Andrew Heald is leading Confor’s participa- The next meeting of the group is in Febru- tion in the Scottish Forest Industry Forest and ary in Edinburgh, and will review the progress Timber Technologies Skills Group. The group is of a number of smaller working groups. Of par- Stef writes: “This ‘peaceful white Lily’ never focussed on tackling the issues around attract- ticular concern was the availability and skills screams and never poos. Just grows and ing new entrants to the industry, and in de- of machinery operators, particularly forwarder contemplates the world with curiosity. Plans veloping and strengthening a wider skill base. and harvester drivers. to publish a forestry-themed picture of this It builds on an important scoping study that It’s been pleasing to see co-operation be- new addition to the Confor team failed; was launched in December 2015. The study tween a number of machinery distributers, born on 28 December at only 36 weeks, was tasked to: harvesting and forest management compa- this little creature was still too weak to • Investigate current training provision by all nies and the colleges. This will hopefully en- properly hug a Sitka tree in the inclement providers, across all levels, over the forest and able students to have access to modern ma- Scottish winter weather. A February trip to timber sector chinery in “real forestry” under the supervision the snow-covered conifer forests of Austria • Conduct a skills needs assessment across of skilled trainers, to develop our much needed will hopefully kindle a lifelong passion for the forest and timber sector operators of the future. nature and the outdoors.”

Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 7 COMMUNICATING OUR SECTOR Showcasing industry to a wider audience Confor has produced a short film on the impor- tance of forestry and timber – part of a suite of new materials designed to better explain the sector and its work to a wider audience. Our Forests, Our People shows how the sector works and its economic, environmental and so- cial significance to communities and the UK as a whole. It includes contributions from a range of businesses and will be a central feature of the new Confor website, which will go live in the spring. Confor’s Chief Executive Stuart Goodall said of the video: “It is vital that we have a visual means to communicate what the forestry and timber sector and its people are about. The video does this, and also tackles a range of mis- understanding and misperceptions. “For some time now, Confor has been taking a lead in ensuring that the forestry and timber sector shouts louder about its achievements - Two stills from the through political engagement, media coverage, Confor film available conferences and events, high-quality publica- on YouTube tions and now through video material. “This video – and the animation and short- er videos which will follow over the next few months – will anchor the new Confor website, which is a well-used gateway to our sector with around 10,000 unique visits every month.” The video project was led by Confor’s Com- munications Manager Stefanie Kaiser, who is now on maternity leave after giving birth to her second daughter, with production by Edin- burgh-based Heehaw. The APF Exhibition com- pany provided welcome financial support. Mr Goodall added: “The video is an excellent resource and we really hope our members and Confor is currently working on a short ani- at subjects including forestry & the economy, the wider sector make good use of it and share mation (of around two minutes) which explains forestry & the environment, forestry & people its contents with a wider audience – it is there very simply that wood is all around us and links and forestry & climate change – will be pro- for all to use. The forestry and timber sector has that back to the forest. It explains how the eve- duced to complement the main video. a great story to tell, but we need to tell it more ryday products we take for granted are made, The video can be found on the Con- effectively. This video and the other materials and the benefits that forests and wood deliver. for website and a direct link is here: we are working on will really help.” After that, a series of short videos – looking 8 www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM5AA-6DTlA

to over 50 architects, focusing on the carbon Best use of Timber in a Building. Stuart Goodall Maintaining the benefits of timber in construction and highlight- joined the RIAS judging panel earlier this year, ing the work we commissioned to develop life visiting various timber buildings across Scot- profile of timber in cycle analysis data on the embodied carbon in land. The winner was The University of Edin- construction timber. We are continuing to im- burgh’s Arcadia Nursery designed by Malcolm construction prove the technical data on the environmental Fraser Architects, built of Cross Laminated Tim- footprint of construction timber products with ber. Case studies of all the shortlisted buildings Wood for Good, the partnership between Confor EPDs (Environmental Products Declarations). are available on the Wood for Good website. and Swedish Wood has had a productive year This data is currently being used to prepare an Wood for Good also co-sponsors the Wood promoting the use of timber in construction EPD for UK Sawmillers’ kiln dried timber. Awards. Included in the prizes this year were throughout Britain. With articles and commen- A half day seminar in London in October wonderful buildings including the BSkyB Centre tary in the press and trade journals, Wood for on modern timber construction methods was in London, which is a large four-storey building Good actively informs decision makers on the a taster for the new 2016 Campaign which designed by Arup Associate and constructed of many benefits of specifying and using timber in will focus on how modern timber construction engineered timber, and a simple yet elegant fish- construction. Our ‘Build with Carbon’ campaign can help meet the housing challenge faced by ing hut, designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects. received a ‘highly commended’ in the 2 Degrees the country. An illustrated book on the Modern Building on the success of Wood for Good’s Champions Award for sustainable businesses. Timber House has been commissioned from ar- work, our Campaign Manager, Dave Hopkins, 2015 saw the completion of a series of chitect and author Peter Wilson and a series of has landed a new position as Director of the Wood for Good sponsored CPD events on tim- national conferences will support its launch. A Timber Trade Federation. As a result, one of our ber frame construction, delivered by BMTRADA further series of related CPD events is already first jobs in 2016 is to recruit a new campaign to engineers and architects in various locations being planned. manager to take forward the work of selling the around England. In March, we hosted a seminar Wood for Good and Forestry Commission wonders of wood. at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation Scotland jointly fund the RIAS award for the Roland Stiven Woodforgood.com 8 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 THE ALL NEW L200 SERIES 5 SHOWING THE WORLD HOW IT’S DONE

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10 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 NEWS Conference will tackle how timber Fully licensed transport engages with society Grown in Britain licensing romps into 2016 The Timber Transport Forum will be holding the public relations of timber transport. after 18 months of life bursting through the its national conference at Battleby Conference Other topics will include the opportunities 1 million tonnes barrier with 260,000 ha of Centre near Perth on 10 March 2016. for sharing access infrastructure with other productive woods and forests feeding its The Scottish Government’s Minister respon- land-use sectors such as renewable energy sought after supply chain. sible for forestry, Dr Aileen MacLeod MSP, has and the power grid managers. The Forum will House builders, construction companies, agreed to open the conference. be launching new guidance covering the rules retailers and the public are seeking out licensed One theme of the day will be how timber around stacking and loading direct from rural branded Grown in Britain goods so that they transport engages with society. Nearly 11m roads and hearing about FISA’s driver safety can demonstrate that their products are made tonnes of roundwood comes out of Britain’s for- guide and other outputs from their road haul- from wood grown in the UK under government ests each year so timber lorries are now a major age working group. approved management plans that declare the interface between the forest industries and the 8 www.timbertransportforum.org.uk material sustainable and legal. rural public. The Grown in Britain mark is on all kinds of A recent study on the economic contribution products from structural spruce in houses, to of forestry to Scotland suggests that timber softwood cladding and shuttering, thermally transport creates 1200 full time jobs in Scot- modified flooring and biomass. The Grown land alone and is worth around £50m/year to in Britain culture is all about boosting British the Scottish economy. It is vital that we retain wood businesses, so responding to customer the support of society for forestry and for all needs is paramount. This has led to the recent parts of the timber supply chain. Those involved launch of several new licensing categories in timber transport, need to engage positively. to embrace a fuller range of UK forest and The conference will be hearing from Forestry woodland products, namely: woodfuel, Commissioner Amanda Bryan on consulting christmas trees and nursery plants. with communities and from Forestry Commis- Licence holders are the only organisations sion Scotland on the practicalities of managing that are allowed to use the trademarked Grown in Britain brand. So please apply for a licence today and do not be tempted to use the mark national offices of PEFC and FSC for review without the prized certificate firmly framed in UKWAS revised and approval in late-April. It is hoped to get the office. Get a licensing pack or sign up to standard consultation the revised standard formally “signed-off” by receive our updates and offers via November 2016. [email protected] now imminent One of the main changes is in the layout, with all formal requirements now in the main The review process of UKWAS (UK Woodland body of the text. A version of the draft stand- “We want to see all our Assurance Standard) is nearing its final stag- ard, showing only the requirements was on dis- es. The second round of public consultation play at the Confor Woodland Show in Septem- homegrown timber supplies closed at the end of November 2015, with ber, and attracted mainly positive comments. about 25 responses from a range of consult- Productive forestry interests are well rep- branded as Grown in Britain” ees, stakeholders and industry. resented in the revision process, with Ewan Steve Cook of wood using giant The feedback was reviewed by the UKWAS McIntosh of Tilhill, Stuart Wilkie of Scottish Steering Group in December and the Review Woodlands and Andrew Heald of Confor all Willmott Dixon at the November Group is making final adjustments to the draft participating in the review group. Confor Conference at RICS as he urged standard during January. You can read more about the UKWAS re- more land owners and processing The revised standard will then go for a final vision process, including the current draft businesses to sign up 30 day public consultation in mid-February, standard, at 8 http://ukwas.org.uk/article/ with the final version being sent to the inter- ukwas-4-draft-for-consultation

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Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 11 RESEARCH Taking the long view Using past research experiments to guide future forestry

tailed records on past management and early growth responses. Forest Research has also Victoria Stokes and Suzanne Martin been sharing information about the experi- of Forest Research report ments with other researchers and making use of the network of plots to actively address cur- rent research priorities in forestry and to provide Forest Research has a long history of field re- advice to forest managers. search and has conducted thousands of experi- One such piece of research that has been es- ments throughout Britain in the past century. pecially valuable revisited a series of provenance The experiments cover a wide range of topics – trials of European silver fir Abies ( alba (Mill.)) species mixtures, nutrition, ground preparation, planted between 1966 and 1970. Analysis of stability and exposure, timber quality, spacing, both new and old data from the trials revealed thinning, native woodlands and natural regen- that this previously dismissed species grows well eration. They also include a large number of across a range of British sites, achieving mean species and provenance trials of current forestry General Yield Class of 14–22 m3 ha-1 year -1. For- species as well as lesser known species that may ty-six years after the trials were established the have the potential to be grown in Britain to pro- results showed that the species is highly adapt- vide timber and other goods and services. able and all of the many provenances trialled Over the decades a considerable resource of were suitable for growing in Britain. Those from ‘long-term experiments’ has developed – large- Calabria in Italy performed particularly well and ly a result of some of the experiments being are recommended as the first choice of origin retained in an inactive state for demonstration for future planting in Britain. The high shade tol- purposes after the active period of research had erance of the species and its ability to establish completed. This has given researchers of later under a canopy also makes it a valuable species generations the opportunity to return to them for under-planting in continuous cover condi- and to investigate the longer-term changes, for tions where it may increase stand structural and example in the growth rates of tree species and the impacts of the tested treatments. Much of the value of the experiments arises from the Forest Research is now long-term nature of forestry and the relatively slow rate of forest processes. Some of the ex- unlocking the potential periments are, for example, proving invaluable of this network of past for studying the long-term ecological or environ- mental changes in woodland ecosystems. experiments to provide What may not have been anticipated by answers to the enduring, the original researchers is the enormous poten- tial for re-using the long-term experiments to re-emerging and new address future forest management questions questions of 21st century – such as those around the effects of climate change on the growth rates of different tree forest management. species, on the timber properites of ‘alternative species’, and how we can manage woodlands to store carbon. Although the world has changed species diversity. To better understand its po- substantially in the decades since the first ex- tential for use as timber, Forest Research in col- periments were established, Forest Research is laboration with Napier University, is now using now unlocking the potential of this network of material from the best performing provenances past experiments to provide answers to the en- to determine the strength and stiffness of struc- during, re-emerging and new questions of 21st tural length logs of Silver fir. century forest management. Research is also ongoing at three long-term Forest Research has recently reviewed its experiments trialling hybrid spruce (“Picea lut- long-term experiment resource to identify those zeii” White spruce x Sitka spruce) planted in quickly, removing the need to plant costly new studies that will be prioritised for on-going 1987, and a series of experiments on Low’s trials (Fig 1). maintenance and to consider the best ways to fir Abies ( concolor subsp. lowiana) planted in Some of the experiments are significant at ensure they benefit future generations. Almost 1968. The work is funded by Forest Enterprise a global scale. A study exploring the effects of 400 experiments across Great Britain are be- England who are searching the long-term evi- growing species in mixtures at Gisburn Forest, ing retained for potential future use. Selected dence to understand whether these species may Lancashire (established in 1955 and is now in to provide a wide geographical coverage of be suited to future growing conditions given our its second rotation), is probably the best-known species and research topics, these experiments changing climate. The presence of experiments forest mixtures experiment in the world (Fig. 2). also have a robust statistical design and de- such as these means that data can be provided Recent analysis of the 20-year second rotation 12 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 the long-term effects of different harvesting re- gimes on the carbon and nutrient stocks in trees and soils, we have been able to use the longest second rotation experiment exploring this topic in Europe. In this work, the impacts of brash re- moval are being compared with conventional (stem-only) harvesting. Analysis has shown that although above ground biomass was reduced, brash removal resulted in higher concentra- tions of total carbon and nitrogen in the soil compared to conventional harvesting on peaty gley soils. However, the situation was not clear cut, as brash removal also caused an increase in soil acidity, leading to a long-term reduction in potassium and phosphate levels. This indicates that brash removal is appropriate only on cer- tain site and soil types. In another piece of re- search, analysis of long-term experiment data has demonstrated that the application of her- bicides in the early years of tree establishment can have a long-lasting beneficial effect on the growth, yield and carbon sequestration of Sitka spruce stands in Britain. On certain site types this may be a cost-effective way to increase car- bon storage in the forest. We are fortunate that our predecessors un- derstood the potential value and importance of long-term data in forestry and managed to retain the current resource through difficult times. Indeed, the maintenance and preserva- tion of the experiments has often been carried out with minimal resources when funding for this type of resource has not been considered a Fig 1: Picea lutzii priority. The long-term experiments now receive (above left) and funding from the Forestry Commission. This has Pinus peuce (above enabled Forest Research to pursue an active right) planted in project managing the network of experiment 1968 and 1970 sites. This includes work inspecting experiments growing at a that have not been visited in recent years and species trial site in accurate GIS mapping of sites. The network is Sutherland. also expanding with new experiments being incorporated where it is anticipated that they Fig 2: Norway spruce could be of future value. We hope that this and Scots pine unique resource will enable and promote col- growing in mixture laboration with other research teams and or- at the Gisburn ganisations, and help us to realise the value of experiment. the experiments in addressing the challenges of contemporary forestry.

Further information Forest Research long-term experiments: http:// bit.ly/ltexperiments Kerr, G., Stokes, V., Peace, A. and Jinks, J. (2015) Effects of provenance on survival, growth and stem form of European silver fir Abies( alba Mill.) in Britain. European Journal of Forest Research 134 (2) 349-363. Mason, W.L. and Connolly, T. (2013) Mixtures with spruce species can be more productive than monocultures: evidence from the Gisburn experiment in Britain. Forestry 87 (2): 209-217. growth data carried out by Forest Research has productivity and carbon capture, as well as a Stokes, V.J. and Willoughby, I.H. (2014) Early demonstrated that, due to improved soil nutri- range of other benefits such as habitat diver- weed control can increase long-term growth, ent conditions, mixed stands of certain species sification, adaptation to climate change, and yield and carbon sequestration of Sitka spruce (Sitka spruce/Scots pine; Norway spruce/Scots improved visual attractiveness. stands in Britain. Forestry 87(3): 425-435. pine; and Norway spruce/common alder) can Vanguelova, E., Pitman, R., Luiro J. and have higher productivity than pure plots of the Carbon storage Helmisaari H-S. (2010). Long term impacts same species. This has important implications The long-term experiments are also helping us of whole tree harvesting on soil carbon for forest management, demonstrating the po- to better understand how to best manage for- and nutrient sustainability in the UK. tential use of mixed species stands for increased ests to store carbon. In one study comparing Biogeochemistry 101: 43-59. Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 13 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT

1 2 Making sense of mixtures

the need to improve the resilience of our plan- signed primarily to increase the productivity tation forests to future threats from climatic of principle crop species by enhancing climatic Dr. Scott McG. Wilson sets out some change and novel pests and diseases. While shelter or access to soil nutrients through “fa- key issues to be considered when much research remains to be done, there is al- cilitation effects”. Sitka spruce-lodgepole pine establishing and managing mixed- ready good evidence that cultivation of a wider “nursing mixtures” were the traditional example, species stands of trees in Britain range of well-selected species within productive but another employs birch to shelter sensitive stands can reduce the risks of total stand failure conifers (e.g. red cedar) establishing on exposed due to biotic or abiotic damage. There are also sites. Silvicultural record of mixtures important advantages to mixtures in terms of Insurance - this category covers mixtures de- While a commonplace element of productively- the facilitation of alternative silvicultural sys- signed specifically to enhance stand resilience managed temperate forests across Continen- tems, improvement of landscape amenity and by adding extra species to provide an alterna- tal Europe and North America, mixed-species preservation of soil fertility. tive final crop, if the principle species fails due stands represent a minority of the current British to climate or disease. Examples include Sitka forest resource, particularly in terms of more re- Functional categories of mixtures spruce with western hemlock on upland sites or cent upland coniferous plantations. However we While some examples are multi-functional, mix- Corsican pine with Atlas cedar/ silver fir on low- have an established record of creating and man- tures can be grouped into five functional cat- land sites. aging mixed-species stands across a wide spec- egories, which identify the primary reason why Silvicultural enrichment - this category covers trum of contexts, including longer-established a mixed-species composition has been selected mixtures designed positively to develop new “policy” woodlands on private estates, Forestry for deployment: silvicultural, amenity and timber marketing op- Commission plantations on better sites from the Ecosystem emulation - this category covers portunities through creation of more diverse and period 1920-1960, nursing mixtures with Sitka species mixtures designed to emulate natural productive stands, often created by enrichment spruce on upland sites, “new native woodlands” forest communities. One example is restoration planting. The most common examples are mix- created since 1985 and many plantings over re- of British native woodland communities based tures of valuable conifer and hardwood species, cent centuries within the urban woodland and on National Vegetation Classification (NVC), but usually managed using continuous-cover forest- amenity forestry contexts. also relevant are mixed plantations modelled on ry (CCF) systems on favourable sites. natural forest communities from Continental Eu- Reasons to deploy mixtures rope (e.g. spruce-fir-beech), North America (e.g. Species composition of mixtures Deployment of mixed-species stands over the spruce-fir-hemlock) or pre-glacial Britain. Alongside their functional category, mixtures past three decades has concentrated on habitat Ecological enhancement - this category in- can be classified in terms of overall tree species restoration projects, emulating National Veg- cludes mixtures designed primarily to benefit composition. Ideally, species to be used within etation Classification (NVC) native woodland aspects of site ecology other than the stand of silviculturally compatible mixtures should be se- communities. However there are now cogent trees directly. An important example is inclusion lected using natural “analogues” - British native reasons to consider judicious expansion of the of “site improving species” (e.g. birch, aspen and woodlands or natural temperate forests from use of mixtures within productive plantations, alder), within stands of evergreen conifers, in or- Europe or North America. Formation of more taking proper account of site conditions through der to preserve/ enhance rotational soil fertility, artificial “future species groups” or “future stand application of the principles of Ecological Site biomass productivity and faunal biodiversity. development types” may be relevant under cli- Classification (ESC). These rationales centre on Facilitation - this category covers mixtures de- mate change and was envisaged by Professor 14 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 3

1 Mixed stand of Scots pine and silver firs, Glen Dye, Aberdeenshire 2 Mixed stand of Douglas fir and red cedar, Forest of Dean 3 Mixed stand of pine, Atlas cedar and Abies firs, Mt. Ventoux, France 4 Mixed stand of Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, Balnacoul, Moray 5 Mixed coniferous stand, Stourhead Western Estate, Wilts 6 Mixed stand of Sitka spruce and noble fir, Penllyn Forest, N. Wales 4 7 Mixed stand of Sitka spruce and 5 western hemlock, St. Gwyddno Forest, S. Wales

6 7

species stands, but this reflects the silvicultural The six key compositional types of mixtures immaturity of the latter. We must accept that as our forests mature ecologically and silvicul- turally into subsequent rotations, we will have “Pseudo-boreal” mixtures - these are relevant slopes and valley bottoms with better soils. to “raise our game” towards Continental stand- to drier British upland conditions, primarily in They are modelled on diverse and productive ards of silviculture - it’s an essential part of de- northern Scotland, and include native pine, Pacific Northwest stands, including Sitka veloping resilience. We will need to alter some birch and aspen woodlands (NVC W17, W18). spruce, Douglas fir, grand fir, redwoods and adverse “directions of recent travel” in British With Dothistroma impacts on pine, it may be red cedars. Silviculture usually tends toward forestry - reversing pernicious declines in higher- necessary to include more resistant substitute continuous-cover forestry. level silvicultural education and skilled recruit- conifers (e.g. Norway/ Serbian spruces or “Lowland hardwood” mixtures - these are ment and “calling time” on increasing size and Macedonian pine). relevant to much of lowland Britain with brown weight of forest machinery, in favour of skilled “Upland Pacific conifer” mixtures - these are earth or surface-water gley soils, and include motor manual and low-impact mechanised relevant throughout the wetter British uplands the native oak/ ash woodland communities techniques. Given the palatability of alterna- and are modelled on simpler natural stand (NVC W8, W10). Plantations may need tive tree species and costs for fencing, we must types of coastal British Columbia and Alaska. to embrace additional or “ash-substitute” now have some robust discussions with estate Productive “insurance” mixtures, managed hardwoods - e.g. sycamore, hornbeam, sweet management and policy colleagues as to real on clear-fell/ restock systems, may combine chestnut, walnut, cherry - and a minority actions to limit deer densities. But we can be familiar Sitka spruce with western hemlock, component of valuable/ specialist conifers - confident that we can make sense of mixtures Pacific silver or noble firs. e.g. Douglas fir, cedars. and, indeed, make them work for us! “Midslope conifer-hardwood” mixtures - “Pseudo-Mediterranean” mixtures - these these are relevant to midslope brown-earth are applicable to those dry lowland areas of Dr. Scott McG. Wilson MICFor is an independent sites in northern and western Britain (including Britain with acidic sandy or lime-rich soils, forestry consultant and author, based in Aber- better ex-larch sites), and are modelled on including heathland and coastal sand-dune deen, with specific interests in use of alternative Norway spruce-European silver fir- beech stand forests. Pine species (potentially including species and silvicultural systems. types of montane central Europe. Compatible Corsican pine where Dothistroma can be species (e.g. oak, sycamore, Douglas fir or managed) can be combined with other cedars) may be added. Mediterranean conifers such as Atlas cedar “Foothill conifer” mixtures - these are and various silver firs. Evergreen oak species may also become relevant. relevant to moister areas of Britain on lower For more information and references about upland mixtures for Britain see: Mark Anderson in The Selection of Tree Species is not invariably the case - while some examples 8 www.scottishforestrytrust.org.uk/ (Anderson, 1961). Here, systematic considera- will involve transitioning to continuous-cover projects/re-evaluating-rotational-upland- tion must be given to ascertaining compatibility forestry (CCF) systems, others remain suitable sitka-spruce-mixtures-2014.asp of chosen species’ site requirements, silvicultural for clear-fell/ restock working. Mixed-species 8 www.charteredforesters.org/ traits and shade tolerances. The six key composi- composition can be approached by acceptance resources/download-library/ tional types are outlined in the panel. of mixed natural regeneration or enrichment cat_view/33-presentations-and- underplanting of mature crops - it need not in- event-resources/36-regional- Establishment and management volve stand replacement. Managing mixtures events/69-2015-regional-events/73- A perception held by some foresters is that may appear more complex than simplified north-scotland-upland-conifer-mixtures/ “managing mixtures is complex”. However, this management of first rotation, even-aged single- Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 15 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT The importance of expanding Scotland’s commercial forest area

a priority. In reality, timber production will actu- demand in an uncertain future global market ally decline in Britain in the coming decades and jeopardising an industry worth £1.7 billion GVA by Andrew D Cameron, this decline will be more pronounced in Scotland annually to the Scottish economy and employ- University of Aberdeen (Figure 2)—a consequence of a dramatic de- ing over 40,000 people. cline in new planting since the end of the 1980s (decreasing by 82% by 2010) and pressures for Conserving biodiversity World demand for timber is rising at around 3% more planting of unproductive broadleafs, which If we are genuinely concerned about conserv- per year driven by increasing population, rapid now comprise a significant proportion of new ing the biodiversity of what is left of the world’s industrialisation of countries such as China, In- planting (Figure 3). natural and semi-natural forests, then we must dia, Russia and Brazil, increasing demand for To make things worse, the area of productive grow more of our own wood. Expanding the for- “low carbon” timber in construction and its use conifer forest in Scotland is actually shrinking est area would have many environmental ben- as a “carbon-neutral” fuel. The capacity of the by more than five and a half thousand hectares efits from sequestering carbon as part of our world’s forests to supply wood is not unlimited. per year over the last five years; a consequence commitment to limiting the effects of climate Currently, around one third of the world’s in- of windfarm developments (although why it is change (Stern 2007) to slowing down water dustrial timber comes from plantation forests flow into river catchments reducing the risk of yet these comprise only 5% of the total global catastrophic flooding (FAO 2008). So, why are forest area. By 2050 the proportion of timber we not doing it? Studies have shown that there coming from plantation forests is predicted to is plenty of suitable land available for forestry decline to less than one quarter of world de- in Scotland that would have practically no ef- mand (Figure 1). fect on agricultural production or to the wider The shortfall in timber supply from planta- environment (Towers et al. 2006). The problem tion forests will inevitably come from natural is the shortage of suitable land on the open and semi-natural forests, many of which are al- market, tenanted land where tenants are less ready under severe pressure from human activ- likely to invest in long-term projects such as for- ity. However, expanding the area of plantation estry on land that they do not own, and lifestyle forests to meet a larger proportion of future choices based around the ‘farming tradition’ or global roundwood demand is likely to attract shooting estates where alternative land uses are criticism from the environmental lobby where not considered. Land availability in Scotland is plantation forestry is often seen as having a also complicated by proposed changes to land negative impact on the environment in spite reform (Land Reform Bill) that will technically of environmental safeguards followed in many Figure 3. Average annual area of new plant- give the right for communities to buy land that countries through certification programmes. ing and restocking in Scotland between 2009 is deemed neglected or abandoned or where Ironically, pressure from environmental groups and 2014 (Forestry Commission 2014) the land is considered to be preventing sustain- in limiting the expansion of commercial planta- able development within the community. What tion forests may result in further damage and seen fit to destroy a valuable sustainable com- effect this legislation will have on afforestation loss of the world’s remaining indigenous forests. mercial resource when so much of Scotland is is unclear. More land may become available The UK imports most of its timber and timber bare land is beyond comprehension), removal of for tree planting through by-outs or land own- products (80% in 2013 costing £6.7 billion) and commercial trees from ancient woodland sites, ers may take the opportunity to plant land as is currently the world’s third biggest importer of and a grant system that favours planting of non- a commercial investment that may negate the timber and timber products. Given its dependen- productive broadleafs. This is not a criticism of threat of the right to buy. Communities who cy on imported timber and with the possibility of important environmental restoration projects, it buy land to plant trees are unlikely to do so at a future global wood deficit, it is surprising that is the lack of investment in expanding the com- the scale and with the commercial imperative expansion of the commercial forest area is not mercial forest area to address growing timber Continued on p18

Figure 1. Global demand and plantation supply of roundwood in 2012 Figure 2. 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Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 17 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT

Continued from p16 tention was given to the environment. Today, needed to significantly increase timber produc- there is a sophisticated system of checks to en- Agroforestry: tion, and these initiatives may only add to the sure the planting is of the highest environmen- already growing number of ‘hobby’ forests. The tal standards so that the mistakes of the past issue of land ownership will undoubtedly contin- will not be repeated. A return of tax relief would ue into the future; however, we should perhaps also mean less reliance on public money. farming with be deliberating less about who owns the land Convincing politicians of the merits of for- and more on getting land owners to plant trees est expansion using tax relief will be difficult. on it. It is more important to the national econ- Financial incentives that may be seen to favour trees omy how the land is used rather than who owns the ‘rich’ or an activity that may be construed it even if we accept that there are issues with as a ‘tax shelter’ will undoubtedly become po- the current pattern of ownership that need to liticised in spite of the obvious longer-term ben- be resolved. Land owners will come and go, but efits that will accrue to the nation in terms of forested land will continue to generate wealth balance of payments and employment. There Mike Strachan argues and employment in perpetuity. is also the issue over who controls the various for an integrated approach taxes. Promoting significant expansion of the to forestry and farming Incentives commercial forest area is less likely to become A key obstacle to forest expansion is the long a priority in England and so it is highly doubt- timescales involved in achieving returns from ful that UK-wide legislation would be passed An integrated approach to land use is crucial if forestry investments, and for this reason finan- primarily for the benefit of Scotland even if it we want to continue to feed ourselves, reduce cial incentives have been used to encourage could be argued that tax relief for forest expan- production costs, improve efficiency and work tree planting; however, planting grants on their sion here would build on an already successful towards reducing the impact of climate change. own will not encourage landowners to plant sustainable industry to create wealth and em- From the time that man domesticated wild ani- trees at any meaningful scale. A more compel- ployment. mals and developed hand tools, woodlands have ling incentive is needed and the obvious option The devolution of forestry gave power to Ho- been seen as an important resource for shelter, is through tax relief. The Schedule D tax system lyrood over a substantial proportion of the forest grazing and timber products. These three basic was used to support afforestation programmes area in Britain (18% c.f. 12% UK average) and elements have held true for thousands of years, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s; how- so, on a per capita basis, the forestry industry is but this integrated approach has been lost in ever, it ended in 1988 in part as a consequence more important to the Scottish economy than the past 60+ years. Why have we lost these skills of its perceived misuse by wealthy individuals to elsewhere in the UK (7m m3 annual production and what can be done to address the balance? ‘avoid’ tax. What is often, and sometimes con- in Scotland equating to 55% of UK softwood Do we really understand what agroforestry is? veniently, overlooked is that tax relief financed a production). Unfortunately, the increasing im- Farming practice has advanced significantly sizable part of the commercial forest resource in portance of the commercial forestry sector to in the last 60 years – bigger more efficient ma- Scotland that today supports a vibrant process- the Scottish economy has not changed the chinery, less labour, improved crops and live- ing sector and associated forest management primary focus of Forestry Commission Scotland stock and greater productivity from the land, services, and has generated wealth and created where recreation and the environment remain but at what cost? Field-side trees that provided employment particularly in rural areas. priority objectives and expansion of the com- an element of shelter and landscape features Bringing back tax relief to support tree mercial forest resource is largely seen as be- have been removed, prime arable land has planting will likely be greeted with scepticism ing “aspirational”. Given its dominant position standing water and flooding issues through an particularly since ‘tax avoidance’ has become within the forestry sector, it is vital that Forestry increase in compaction pans, and diffuse pol- highly politicised. It is important to emphasise Commission Scotland refocuses its objectives lution from surface water run off continues to that people do not grow rich planting new areas from predominately social and environmental cause significant problems. of forest since the resulting investment will only issues to supporting the future economy, bal- begin to produce income after at least two dec- ance of payments, and employment through a What is agroforestry? ades with the real possibility that the landowner major expansion of the commercial forest area. Agroforestry can take many forms, and is per- may never see any meaningful return. Creating This is the time for our state-owned forest or- haps a word not fully understood. Or is it pos- new areas of forest is primarily an altruistic ac- ganisation to show leadership and vision for the sibly the wrong word? Agriculture and forestry tivity and tax relief for tree planting should be future economic benefit of the nation. can, and do mesh together, but this is not al- viewed entirely differently from the ‘tax avoid- 8 [email protected] ways appreciated, so perhaps a key to under- ance’ currently depicted in the media that ben- standing the concept of agroforestry is to think efits companies and wealthy individuals with no about what are the benefits of trees on a farm. obvious benefit to wider society. References • Many farms have shelterbelts. A shelterbelt FAO (2008) Forests and Water. Food and provides shelter and warmth to livestock and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, crops. A shelterbelt strategically placed can also FAO Forestry Paper 155, Rome. intercept surface water run-off, help to reduce Creating new areas Forestry Commission (2014) Forestry Statistics, diffuse pollution issues and protect land below of forest is primarily Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. it. A shelterbelt can help to reduce wind borne Indufor (2012) Strategic review of the future soil erosion. Timber from a shelterbelt can pro- an altruistic activity of forest plantations in the world. Study for vide an income and a cheap fuel. A shelterbelt the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), Bonn, is a form of agroforestry. There is a benefit from Germany. it to the farmer. Forestry currently has certain benefits under Stern, N (2007) The economics of climate • Individual trees in fields are often a sign of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance change: the Stern review. Cambridge University historic boundaries, others represent older live- Tax; however, these taxes primarily benefit buy- Press, Cambridge. stock management methods and traditions. ers and sellers of established forests, who may Towers, W, Schwarz, G, Burton, R, Ray, D, Sing, How many people have witnessed livestock see forests as financial investments rather than L and Birnie, R V (2006) Possible opportunities under the shade of the tree on hot days, windy sources of timber production, but do not incen- for future forest development in Scotland: days, and cold days? Individual trees are provid- tivise the creation of new forests. Concern over a scoping study. Report by The Macaulay ing benefits, they are a form of agroforestry. using tax relief to support new planting goes Institute for Forestry Commission Forest • Hedges provide shelter and can also be used back to the 1970s and 1980s when limited at- Research. 55 pp. Continued on p21 18 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 Tilhill Ad 2016 (FTN02)_Layout 1 22/01/2016 15:38 Page 1

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Continued from p18 to intercept surface water run off – they are a form of agroforestry • Woodlands that are open for grazing are agroforestry. In 2013 there was over 21,000ha of these claimed by farmers in Scotland Farming and forestry are often regarded as two separate land uses with competing priori- ties, and as such tension between these exist. However, there is probably more integration than we realise. It is the owner of the neighbour- ing forest who has the foxes causing the prob- lems and it is the farmer who has let his stock into the woods. This tension will always be there but through an educated approach, this could be reduced. During the pre-consultation on the new Scottish Rural Development Programme, a recurring theme was that an integrated ap- proach to land use would be of significant ben- efit, and to consider this further the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group (WEAG) was formed to consider optimal use of land. One recommen- dation to come from this was support for agro- forestry measures, (in this instance this relates the use of trees, the productivity of the land can Establishment to wide-spaced trees in a field) but with a focus increase to 1.6/ha. Early trials in the UK indicate Shelterbelt and woodland establishment is on grazing rather than arable crops. at least a 1.3/ha increase. generally straightforward and follows basic principles. Cultivate the site to ensure that Wider issues Possible returns trees planted go into a compaction-free envi- Conducting a review of farming practice and A farmer outside Peterborough established lin- ronment, protect the trees using individual tree the whole farm approach could identify op- ear orchards on prime agricultural (class 1) land. protection, or a livestock exclusion fence, keep portunities for change, such as optimising The fruit trees have a dual purpose. The prime the trees weed-free and prune side branches on productivity rather than maximising productiv- purpose is to reduce wind-induced soil erosion selected trees for quality. ity. What are the true returns on running 1200 that is a significant problem. The secondary Establishing wide-spaced trees in fields that high-maintenance sheep compared to 800 har- purpose is to produce an alternative crop. Alleys will provide future long-term shelter and shade dier varieties? Hardier sheep enjoy the natural for cereal production are 24m wide (two passes and allow grazing from the day of planting does shelter provided by trees, and there is an oppor- of a combine harvester) with a 3m ‘tree zone’. require a more robust approach. The current tunity to potentially increase woodland cover in This equates to a 5% loss of arable land on the best advice is to use 50mm square weldmesh appropriate places to increase this. High main- areas established. The gross area of orchard is cut from a 900mm high roll to form cages that tenance sheep require housing, supple- 1ha, with 1200 fruit trees established. are 450mm in diameter. The cages need to be mentary feeds etc . It could there- The fruit production from this site supported by two 75mm fence posts and the fore be argued that hardier will be about 30 tonnes by tree will also require either a rabbit spiral or vole sheep require less input and about year seven that will guard. that when total costs are be sold through the farm compared, the returns shop, converted into The future? per head are higher for fruit juice, cider etc. The new Rural Development plan has a number hardier sheep. There Farm gate prices for of forestry options available, but the two key are also the significant apples in Scotland (for ones that will be of interest for farmers will be woodland benefits as sale to cider produc- Small or Farm woodland: this will be available previously mentioned. ers) are about 30p/ for those wanting to establish woodlands that In many parts of kg. Using this exam- are a minimum of 0.25ha in size with a maxi- Europe and less so in ple, the gross return/ha mum gross accumulated area of 10ha/business. the UK, trees are often is £9000, significantly This option would allow for the creation of well grown in combination more than wheat, but designed shelterbelts. with crops where ‘alleys’ of with the benefits of shelter Agroforestry: this will allow for open woodlands crops typically either 12m or and reduced soil loss. to be established with either 200 trees /ha (ap- 24m in width are managed with The use of woodlands for shel- proximately 7m x7m spacing) or 400 trees/ha a 2-3m wide ‘woodland’ strip between ter/grazing can reduce costs. By extend- (approximately 5m x 5m spacing). the alleys. The trees provide shelter, shade, nu- ing the outdoor grazing for cattle by one week However if you want to plant more than trients (from leaf fall) and a second crop to the will save approx £12/head of cattle/week in 10ha, then there are other options available land. Despite perceptions, the tree roots go very housing costs. On a cold day in an open field, if If you want to increase the productivity of deep so competition for nutrients etc is negli- the core temperature of a cow drops by about your land and want more land to farm, don’t gible. The crops do most of their growth from two degrees it will cost about £5/day for sup- rush out and buy land, think in three dimensions early spring through to early summer when they plementary feeding. Woodlands are generally and look up, not sideways. effectively start to ripen rather than growing. warmer environments with a warmer micro cli- From early summer through to late autumn, the mate. Mike Strachan is the Policy and Development trees achieve their maximum growth potential. The majority of farms are not on gas mains Officer for the Forestry Commission in Perth and What this means is that the area of land has and rely on oil for heating. By installing a log Argyll Conservancy. He is also the current Chair an extended growing season supporting two boiler capable of taking 750mm long logs, of the UK wide Farm Woodland Forum and crops. In Europe it has been shown that where sourced from their own woodlands, heating the Scotland representative on the European a field of cereals has a value of 1/ha, through costs could reduce by about 75%. Agroforestry Federation. Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 21 The Complete Forestry Service

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showing unusually strong symptoms. The growers have to: A consultation with patients has been car- 1 Adapt to lower price levels. Timber Auctions ried out to see why 2015/16 winter has been 2 Identify which operations have become market report by such a bad year for SADS and a number of com- unviable at the new price levels. mon themes have emerged (see panel below). 3 Adjust work programmes and operational Oliver Combe plans to suit the new levels. These themes have meant that after the market 4 Be aware of opportunities and move quickly highs of 2014 we have seen a steady decline in to exploit them. There is strong evidence from Scandinavia and the market in winter 2015 a brief rally in spring 5 Maintain contacts with all market sectors. North America that the length of daylight hours, 2015, and then decline again in winter 2016. On a positive note we should now be through weather conditions and other environmental A common pattern of reduced prices and the worst of the winter slowdown and there are factors can lead to a mood disorder which is levels of demand during winter, a brief flurry of positive signs for the forestry industry: known as SAD in humans: “Seasonal affective activity in the spring and then a period of stabil- • The pound is falling against the euro disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, ity in the summer is emerging. • The days are getting longer winter blues, or seasonal depression, is a mood The slowdown in the winter of 2015/16 has • The land is drying out slowly! disorder subset in which people who have nor- been particularly severe, especially in Scotland • Easter is early this year mal mental health throughout most of the year and has had a strong impact on the industry. • The UK economy is performing relatively well experience depressive symptoms in the winter”. • Demand for pallet wood has held up well After 20 years I have now come to the con- The net result of the slowdown has been adjust- • Demand for small roundwood remain strong clusion that the timber industry also suffers ment to operations right through the supply • The firewood market remains strong. from a mood disorder during winter. chain. The need to run your woodlands on a com- Seasonal affective demand syndrome Processors have to: mercial basis remains just a strong as ever and (SADS), also known as winter slowdown, winter 1 Reduce their raw material prices to allow active management through thinning, felling and market slump or seasonal slowdown is a market them to counter the reduced prices of imported restocking a clear statement of commercial intent. disorder in which forestry businesses that have finished products whilst maintain adequate Whilst the market conditions are currently normal trading activity throughout most of the supplies. challenging, the prices particularly for lower year experience depressive symptoms in the 2 Reduce their activity levels to reflect the grade hardwood and softwood material are still winter. level of the market. good. New markets and increased capacity for Forestry businesses affected by SADS typi- 3 Work harder to chase and win orders. this material continues to emerge and offer an cally exhibit lack of energy, difficulty in con- 4 Manage stock levels very carefully. excellent opportunity for owners to bring wood- firming raw material requirements, are slow The supply chain has to: lands into management. to commit to purchase prices, withdraw from 1 Learn to work with lower prices. communications and in extreme cases exhibit 2 Scale back activity to match lower levels If you wish to discuss parcels of timber pessimistic feelings of hopelessness during the of demand whilst retaining latent capacity of you would like to discuss or for further winter months. men and machines. information please contact Oliver The winter of 2015 /16 has seen an espe- 3 Work hard to match stock with customer Combe on 07771 958975, cially high incidence of severe SADS in Scotland requirement. 8 [email protected] and the North of England amongst larger scale 4 Manage production carefully to match for free independent marketing advice. processors, although businesses of all scales are customer requirements.

WHAT’S FUELLING SADS

Global themes The strong pound has made imported timber relatively cheaper than domestically produced timber and has put serious downward pressure on prices. Slowing world demand has meant processors have high stocks and have been looking to dump material into markets with any signs of positive activity. Contraction of traditional markets due to economic slowdown and domestic conflict has pushed more volume towards the UK.

Domestic themes Austerity measures have reduced domestic demand from infrastructure and civil engineering projects. Faltering house building – new housing starts to June 2015 were estimated at 33, 280 a 15% reduction on the figure for March 2015 quarter of 38,860. Mild winter weather has reduced the demand for domestic firewood leading to high stocks. Low oil prices have encouraged to homeowners to use their central heating more and have meant that wood is no longer seen as a cheap fuel. Very wet weather and flooding has reduced demand from the fencing and A faltering in new construction sectors. house starts is contributing to SADS

Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 23 Forestry & Woodland Timber News Managers – Scotland Recruitment New Year – New Career

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Senior Timber Buyer Timber Buyer Based Penrith/Scottish Borders Based Penrith/Scottish Borders A.W. Jenkinson Forest Products is seeking to recruit an Additional to the above position, we are also seeking to experienced professional to take responsibility for the strengthen our wood purchasing department through the Roundwood purchasing at our processing sites, as well recruitment of a suitably qualified and experienced individual as supporting the development of wood supply for mobile wishing to develop a career in all areas of wood purchasing. operations. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a solid grounding The ideal candidate will have: and understanding of the forest and wood products industry. • a Forestry Degree, HND or similar qualification; • experience and a sound understanding of the relationships The role will involve working closely with senior management between timber growers, forest managers, harvesters and in support of all areas of woodfibre and round timber wood processors; procurement. The Company offers excellent prospects for • an understanding of the planning and organisation of round career development for the right candidate. Salary will be timber transport; commensurate with experience and ability and a company • excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate vehicle will be provided. effectively at all levels; • the ability to work unsupervised. Applications for both positions should arrive no later than 19th February 2016 in writing or by email enclosing a copy of your The role will involve working closely with associated A.W. Jenkinson group interests with the opportunity to progress into CV and stating which position you are applying for. the wider management of our progressive business. Salary will Please address to: Richard Palmer, Commercial Director, be commensurate with experience and ability. A full UK driving A.W. Jenkinson Forest Products, Clifton Moor, Clifton, licence will be required and a company car will be provided. Penrith, CA10 2EY. Email: [email protected]

A.W. Jenkinson Forest Products is committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

24 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 BUSINESS & FINANCE Uncertainty and volatility set to continue come less competitive. Demand for small roundwood in board, paper Reducing oil prices continue to have a posi- and biomass has remained constant and indeed Timber market report tive impact on operating costs and with crude oil has underpinned most of the continued buoy- prices in the low $30/barrel level and looking to ancy in the standing sales market. As mentioned by Peter Whitfield stay there for a while this is one element of good previously this is driven by different sets of driv- Timber Operations news. ers to simply exchange rates as is the case for Director Tilhill Forestry The World Bank said in early January that it carcassing. had revised its forecast for the global economy On a different note for the second year in to expand by 2.9% this year. Just last summer, it a row, the skills deficit topped the list of future To quote George Osborne from his recent state- was predicting 3.3%. threats firms perceive to the UK’s competitive- ment: “Last year was the worst for global growth So however you look at it we certainly have ness in CBI survey. It goes on to highlight that since the crash and this year opens with a dan- a cocktail being shaken up; whether it is toxic further restrictions on skilled migration would gerous cocktail of new threats”. He cites slower for the timber industry or not is hard to tell, but hamper business activity, with 29% of compa- growth in China, the recessions in Brazil and Rus- what seems clear is that we will continue to live nies affected reporting they would fail to meet sia, turbulence in the Middle East and the drop in uncertain times and volatility in the market will customer demand if they were unable to get the in commodity prices that has seen a two-thirds continue and that is never a good thing for us. right person, in the right place at the right time. drop in the cost of crude oil, as potential hazards We have come through some of the toughest We know this has been a major issue facing the to the UK. You could add interest rates to this 12 months of trading that we have seen for some forestry industry for some time and downturns, mix, but the threat of a rise is going to be tem- time and it is unclear that there is going to be any as we are experiencing now, lead to further loss pered by the performance of the economy. significant uplift looking ahead into 2016. Car- of skilled operators from forestry to other areas A further factor for the UK has to be the fact cassing demand is still flat for domestic proces- that are more buoyant such as construction and that our growth is almost entirely dependent on sors whilst fencing demand seems to be trending civils projects. Once lost we know it is hard to get consumers and UK consumers are inclined to into a more usual uplift in spring demand. What them back. So the outlook for 2016 remains very spend rather than save. One cannot believe there is evident is that sawmills are generally carrying uncertain and whatever lies ahead is sure to be is much substance to an economy that is based high finished goods stocks and it is not rushing challenging, but then we foresters all love a chal- on consumer spending. out of the yards as the new year commences. lenge! The likelihood of a Brexit is also being fac- tored into exchange rate end economic fore- casts, and again depending where you look the odds are shortening or lengthening. FC calls for industry to take part in surveys Early January’s economic turmoil led to a sig- Confor is backing a call for businesses across also strongly encouraged businesses to com- nificant weakening of Sterling against the Euro the forest and timber industries to take part in plete the surveys. “Our forestry and timber and that is always the silver lining for the timber three annual statistical surveys by the Forestry industries are a tremendous success story, not industry when there is an economic downturn Commission. just in business terms, but also for the wider so- forecast. We need to see the exchange rate fall The surveys are: the Private Sector Soft- cial and environmental benefits they provide. below €1.30 to the £ for timber imports to be- wood Removals Survey, the Sawmill Survey, “That success is partly underpinned by data and the Survey of Round Fencing Manufactur- gathering and analysis so that policy and in- ers. The information from them, together with vestment decisions can be based on the most data from other sources, is used to produce accurate and up-to-date information possible. Sawmills are generally statistics to monitor the state of the timber Therefore the information obtained in these industry and the balance between supply and surveys is an essential ingredient for ensuring carrying high finished goods demand. that business and government can work to- The surveys, which can be completed on gether to continue to maximise that success stocks and it is not rushing line via the Forestry Commission website, are into the future.” out of the yards as the new conducted with the support of the sector-wide Further information, and links to the on- Expert Group on Timber and Trade Statistics. line survey questionnaires, are available at year commences. Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, 8 www.forestry.gov.uk/timbersurveys

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Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 25 MACHINERY FOCUS Scaling up by scaling down Selecting the right equipment • Access network and distance For the last twenty years the Forestry Commis- • Tree size and produce size. Duncan Ireland on the importance sion’s Technical Development branch has been Further information can be found in Forestry of choosing appropriate machinery for promoting the use of appropriate types and Commission Job Report: Small and medium har- small woodland management scales of machinery, linked to site and crop vesting and extraction machinery: a guide to conditions. So while this is not a new message, site suitability. improved markets and finances to bring ne- In some circumstances specific silvicultural Small woodlands throughout the UK with dif- glected woodlands into management make this systems can affect form and stocking density ficult access and terrain are frequently under- increasingly relevant. of the standing trees to the extent that they managed. Bringing these individually small but Matching the scale of machinery to site and influence machine suitability. Examples include numerous woodlands into management would crop has benefits for the economics of harvest- mature coppice and naturally regenerated, provide a host of economic, environmental and ing and minimises the impact of harvesting op- unrespaced crops where close tree spacing re- social benefits. Forest Research has been tasked erations, preventing ground disturbance and po- stricts mechanised harvester head access to the by Forestry Commission England and FC Scot- tential for damage to the remaining crop trees. stems to be felled. Buttressing, stem sweep and land to provide targeted technical support to Reducing harvesting impact from early thinning branch coarseness can all limit the suitability of help achieve this aim. can help avoid the access problems that can arise machine options for harvesting, and in some Increased demand for timber products over in the future, if ground damage is done. cases motor manual felling may be the only recent years has raised prices to improve the Large scale forest machinery has developed economic option. economics of harvesting these woodlands and in sophistication to maximise outputs, reduce Choosing the appropriate scale of machin- this is set to continue. However, increasing the costs and improve operator ergonomics. Yet, if ery for forest operations is a significant factor in amount of small scale woodland under man- the scale of the machine is inappropriate, the achieving management objectives. Small scale agement will only be possible by expanding the result can be damaging to both the site and the machinery is either purpose-built or adapted capacity of small and medium scale harvesting remaining trees following extraction. agricultural machinery, and in both cases the resources. Size classes for forestry harvesting machin- reduction in size and perhaps sophistication can In addition to published reports to help se- ery can be broadly classified by the weight of bring operational compromises. lection of machinery appropriate for harvesting the prime mover into: large scale >12 tonnes, Correctly adapted agricultural machinery in small, frequently undermanaged woodland, medium scale (6-12 tonne), small scale (3-6 can be well suited to managing small wood- the Forestry Commission will be holding demon- tonne) and mini scale <2.5 tonne. These classes, lands, as well as being economically attractive. strations of small and medium scale harvesting in turn, tend to reflect load carrying capacity. However, care must be taken to safeguard op- and extraction systems in northern England and Site and crop constraints limit machine suit- erator ergonomics and safety and consider the central Scotland in early 2016. ability, either because conditions are beyond durability of equipment which is adapted for the operational capacity of the machine or be- forestry use. Initial placement cost (i.e. the cost Potential financial support cause using the machine would be inefficient, of transporting machinery to site) has a con- New EU Rural Development Programme (RDP) uneconomic, damaging to the environment or siderable effect on overall economics. If small measures from 2015 include capital support to dangerous to operators. Factors which limit the scale machinery can be transported to site on forestry businesses to improve their harvesting use of forestry harvesting machinery include: a trailer, without the need for a low loader then capabilities by encouraging investment in ap- • Slope the savings can make a significant difference to propriately scaled machinery. This is available • Ground roughness the cost of small scale harvesting. in both England and Scotland, through different • Ground condition Continued on p28 schemes with similar aims but with some differ- ences in rules and eligibilities. In England the Forestry Commission has an aspirational aim to strengthen the contracting sector to harvest a further 500,000 – 750,000 tonnes of predominantly broadleaved timber from private woodlands in the years to 2020. The new RDP funds here are aimed at for- estry harvesting contractors working in England, wishing to upgrade or re-equip in order to de- velop and expand their capability for harvesting more difficult, predominantly smaller broad- leaved woodlands. These new measures are offered via the Farming and Forestry Produc- tivity Scheme and Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Fund. In Scotland the Harvesting and Processing option of the Forestry Grant Scheme under the new SRDP can also offer financial support for in- vestment in small and mini scale purpose built forestry machinery. The aim is to help bring woodlands into management and to promote the economic and sustainable production of timber and timber products through primary processing. (There is a maximum scale to both these operations for it to fit within the funding Selecting appropriate machinery scale for the operation results in minimal impact to the site eligibility criteria.) and a job well done 26 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 TOUGH TOOLS for aTOUGH JOB!

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Continued from p26 To sustain a business, the running costs of all scales of machinery have to be related to work Drones: the next programmes and anticipated unit costs based on likely productivity and value of timber pro- generation duced. Acceptable operational costs are also influenced by management objectives. Harvest- Due to their size, weight, agility and functional- ing economics is a complex issue and all costs ity, drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are be- including haulage, access and site amelioration ing put to great use in many areas of our lives. have to be considered. As this technology becomes more advanced and costs fall, day-to-day uses of UAVs are de- Health and Safety veloping rapidly. All machinery used in forestry must have safety They are already being operated by the mili- features appropriate to the work undertaken. tary for surveillance in dangerous war zones. Es- Examples are: Roll Over Protection Structures tate agents use them to plot boundaries and (ROPS) to protect the operator from machine to provide aerial images of high-end properties roll over, Falling Object Protection Structures for prospective buyers, scientists use them for (FOPS) to protect them from falling and pen- atmospheric research, whilst sporting events, etrating objects and Operator Protection Struc- especially skiing and base jumping, find the tures (OPS) from events such as chain-shot. Ad- UAV appropriate to capture moments at an- ditional guarding will often be required around gles that have been traditionally inaccessible the engine compartment, belly plate and ra- for film production. They are also being used in diator, plus deflector bars around the cab and feature films, producing high-definition shots in mesh or other window protection. locations where using traditional methods and A number of ergonomic factors need to be equipment would be difficult. unwanted bugs. considered such as access and egress from the All these benefits are being recognised in Suddenly, drones have wider, more com- cab, plus the environment of the cab including the field of forestry and agriculture. Drones mercial uses. The ability of drones to target noise and vibration levels. The layout of the take aerial pictures using true colour, multispec- smaller areas means that they are able to re- controls for the unit and any ancillary-attached tral and thermal images to monitor and map seed where the crop has failed to emerge. They equipment (loader) should be carefully consid- areas. This produces data with the capability can also be used apply spot applications of ered and provision made for adequate lighting to improve yield and to plan interventions in chemicals and fertilisers. Being able to target around the machine for working in winter condi- problem areas. precise areas, especially when the ground is in- tions and under the tree canopy. Modifications Progress is moving swiftly and second gen- accessible or non-viable, means increased yield to machinery should only be carried out with eration drones are being investigated at the and control. the approval of the manufacturer and by ap- National Centre for Precision Farming at Harp- This technology could be easily transferred propriately qualified specialists. er Adams University. These drones will be more to wooded areas enabling monitoring and Safe use of small scale machinery and ap- than just capable of taking images, they will, early warning systems for pests and diseases propriate training is essential. Some small scale “… find solutions that will improve people’s using high-definition images. As in agriculture, machinery requires additional skills and physi- lives and provide positive technological solu- they can be used for spot applications and re- cal effort from the operator e.g. chokering winch tions to modern day issues” according to the seeding. Used sensitively, wildlife studies can systems and assisting with loading produce. 2015 UAE Drones for Good Award. be carried out with unobtrusive drones, on ani- Careful use of manual handling techniques and Lauren Fletcher, a former NASA engineer, mals in their own habitat in frequently inacces- tools is important to safeguard ergonomics and is CEO of BioCarbon Engineering. He and his sible areas. operator health. Further information can be team are using UAVs to plant a billion trees a It’s all possible and the second generation found in Forestry Commission Job Report 131: year. Michael Godfrey, an agricultural science of drones are being explored now at the Na- Small and mini harvesting and extraction ma- student at the University of Queensland, in tional Centre for Precision Farming, where in chinery: a guide to their selection for safety. Australia, has developed a flying vehicle that collaboration with BASIS Registration, Harper spreads a beneficial bug that is able to kill other Adams run courses in UAV use. Further published information sources TDJR131: Small and mini harvesting and extraction machinery: a guide to their selection Forestry at Harper Adams – a growing sector for safety Harper Adams University has widespread rec- fit their forestry development alongside their TDJR150: Small and medium harvesting and ognition as the UK centre of excellence for day job. This was a key decision in the design extraction machinery: a guide to site suitability teaching and learning in agriculture, agricul- of the programmes and responded to com- tural engineering, agri-food and land man- ment and opinion received at the planning Demonstration events agement sectors and forestry is now well rep- stages. Forestry Commission England and Forestry resented at postgraduate level. “We have also been highly effective in our Commission Scotland with FR’s Technical The Forestry Management programmes mission to involve senior forestry industry per- Development branch will be organising operate at Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma sonnel in our teaching at postgraduate level field demonstrations of small and medium and Masters level and are particularly relevant – this gives our students access to experienced scale equipment at Falkland Estate, Fife on to students who need a part-time, modular forestry professionals who operate at the 25 and 26 February and Barningham Es- block pattern to their forestry studies. Week- highest level in modern forest management tate, Richmond on 17 and 18 March 2016. long ‘immersion’ modules give students the and a great insight into the realities of real- These events are aimed at those wishing opportunity to plan and undertake their for- world forest and woodland management.” to know more about selecting appropriate estry learning alongside work and other com- machinery for small scale harvesting. Fur- mitments. Forestry Programme Co-ordinator For more information about postgraduate ther details are given on the events page Jim Waterson MICFor MRICS says: “Our for- forestry courses at Harper Adams see: of the Forest Research website: estry programmes are proving successful and 8 http://harper-adams.ac.uk/postgraduate/ 8 www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/events attractive to people with busy lives needing to 201045/forestry-management

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Smaller scale forest Grant support Forestry Commission Scotland can provide machinery support for harvesting and processing machinery and this is capped at a maximum of 40% of cost with a maximum you, it is worth considering what else the ma- grant of £35,000. The grant will only chine can do for you? For example a purpose support purchase and not lease or hire Mike Strachan looks at built machine has one sole purpose and could purchase agreements. machinery operations prove both expensive and restrictive if required on a smaller scale to multi task. If you only have a small volume of The grant is based on actual costs and timber to manage every year, is it worth the in- quotes should be submitted with the vestment? Small sized tractors are available that application form. The grant WILL NOT The 1980s saw a significant change in not just also have three-point linkage and PTO and so are support the purchase of wood chippers, the type of machinery being used in forests, but more versatile. But are they strong enough to tractors or second hand equipment. Nor will in forest management practices. During the late cope with rough woodland terrain, and do they it support replacement of equipment on a 1970s purpose-built forwarders based initially comply with best practice on both rolling and fall- like for like basis. on a dump truck chassis started to appear and ing protection for the operator. There are a number of other conditions replace the County skidders, Highland Bears There are people that have acted on impulse so if you are interested go to: etc that were common place in woodlands. A when buying machinery and regretted it. It has 8 www.ruralpayments.org/allschemes/ number of years later in the 1980s closure of the not been versatile enough, its capabilities and forestrygrantscheme/harvesting and deep mining industry helped to seal the demise outputs were not as good as the promotion sug- processing grant of many small-scale sawmilling ventures, small- gested and it has fallen below the standards scale timber operations and also small-scale required by the forestry industry. Seek advice broadleaf woodland management. Attitudes before acting, go and view machines in opera- have changed and there is now an increased tion and attend demonstration events to gather interest in managing small woodlands, but with information. Mike Strachan is the Policy and Development improved health and safety and associated regu- Officer for the Forestry Commission in Perth and lations – are there suitable machinery options This article is not an endorsement of any Argyll Conservancy. He is also the current Chair that will not require a second and third mort- particular machine and neither is it an of the UK wide Farm Woodland Forum and gage? endorsement of its compliance with best the Scotland representative on the European Before deciding on what machine is best for practice or health and safety requirements. Agroforestry Federation.

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Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 31 COUNTRY NEWS

Estate, West Sussex; David Mortimer, Dodworth Estate,Yorkshire; Jeffery Nicholls, Curwen ENGLAND Woods Estate, Lancashire WALES Caroline Harrison, Confor 30-years: Simon Apps, Cowdray Estate, West Martin Bishop, Confor national national manager for England Sussex; Steven Harrison, Lydney Park Estate, manager for Wales 01837 82222/07500 927482 Gloucestershire; Kerry Hill, Cowdray Estate, tel 07876 029482 [email protected] West Sussex; Donald Macdonald, Cowdray [email protected] Estate, West Sussex; Stuart McDonough, £1m fund for new planting is open - Healey Estate, Northumberland; Richard Timber marketing Strategy get your applications in or lose it Pepper, Cowdray Estate, West Sussex; George Natural Resources Wales (NRW) conducted a Confor has welcomed the launch of a £1m Ruddick, Welbeck Estate, Nottinghamshire; public consultation on their proposed timber fund by the UK Government to support forestry George Wargent, Alscote Estate, Warwickshire; marketing strategy (TMS) for 2016-21. We planting in England. The fund was confirmed Mark Worthington, Welbeck Estate, have been advised in advance on some of the in a letter from Chancellor George Osborne Nottinghamshire. more important outcomes. These have yet to be to Confor Chief Executive Stuart Goodall last Further details on all those who received finalised and may be subject to change. month - and publicly announced by Forestry awards can be found at www.rfs.org.uk/ The proposal thus far is to reduce the Minister Rory Stewart at Confor’s Westminster awards/rfs-long-service-award/2015/ number of sites that are harvested at a loss, in conference three weeks ago. particular those sites where the return on the The money is there to fund the survey work Woodland Social Enterprises timber sales does not cover the costs incurred, and preparation work that goes into producing Expressions of interest are now being accepted such as harvesting, civil engineering and the a good productive woodland scheme. There for Making Local Woods Work, an exciting cost of restocking the site afterwards. is up to £30k available per scheme. If you are pilot project supporting woodland-based social Initially NRW considered simply reducing the considering a scheme or even thinking about enterprises across the UK. The project is being level of annual timber production for the period it in the next couple of years please make an led by the Plunkett Foundation in partnership of the 2016-21 Plan to around 700,000m3OBS/ application. We need projects in the pipeline to with a number of organisations, including the year which represented the volume from prove that there is interest from investors in new Forestry Commission. “economic sites”. After discussions with Confor productive woodland. It is vital for the industry The project will work with 50 woodland and others NRW now intend to continue to offer that we take advantage of this opportunity social enterprises across the UK over the next most of the volume envisaged in the published before the deadline on the 15th February. three years. It will provide them with a range of forecast to the market for at least the 2016-17 support tailored to their individual needs; all 50 period but with a proviso that, if the offers for Celebrating 23 lifetime woodsmen will receive four days of specialist support, and the products do not at least cover the costs of and foresters there will be some additional support available harvesting, NRW will reserve the right to not 2015 was an extraordinary year of celebrations for 30 of these, which is likely to take the form award the timber contract. around the country as 23 of some of the UK’s of a further 12 days of support per group. In NRW say “their intention for the period most experienced woodsmen and foresters addition, a series of training and networking 2016-21 is to probably change the approach in received Royal Forestry Society (RFS) awards events will be organised to help anyone the TMS so that they review the approach and for careers which have totalled well over 830 interested in woodland social enterprise (not rationale for open market sales and Long Term years. They include three people who have just the 50 pilots) to achieve their ambitions. Contracts so that the production levels follow received awards for more than 50-years’ The project is seeking applications from the current market demand and ability to pay.” service: David Peacock, from Settrington groups who are looking to undertake new The changing approach will be explained Estate, Yorkshire; Philip Read from Sotterley activity that will help to bring a range of fully within an Interim Marketing Statement Estate, East Anglia and Brian Reece, Lydney benefits for local people, bring woodlands into 2016/17 published in March 2016, with a Park Estate, Gloucestershire. active management and generate trading full 5 year TMS 2016 - 2021 published in Others to have received awards were, income. For more information on the project, 2017 which will seek to balance the needs 40-years: Stephen Bridges, Hertfordshire to check deadlines and to fill out the online for flexibility to accommodate the outcomes County Council; Tim Day, Bathurst Estate, expression of interest form, go to of the sector and a very challenging financial Gloucestershire; Bill Dowson, Shotley Hall, www.plunkett.co.uk/woodlands settlement for departments. Details and full County Durham; Brian Heath, Cowdray Estate, report are available from the Confor website: West Sussex; Alan Kavangh, Hutton Ambo http://confor.org.uk/Upload/Documents/24_ Estate, Yorkshire; James Mitchell, Parham NRWmarkettingplanupdatejan2016.pdf

Minister visits Kronospan Minister for Natural Resources Carl Sargeant KEY EVENTS in 2016 along with Matthew Quinn, Director for Environ- Confor March conference ment and Sustainable Development and Bill Forestry and timber: Scotland’s hidden success Macdonald head of Land Use & Sustainable 22 March 2016 story Forest Management visited Kronospan at Chirk NEW MEMBERS National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh in January. The minister and his advisors were Alex Gilham, Nottingham ICF National Conference 2016 shown around the site, looking at the MDF and Benjamin Crisford, East Sussex The Timber Supply Chain – Dynamics and sawmill lines and the log yard and were given BSW Timber Ltd, Berwickshire Opportunities 27 April 2016, Newcastle an insight into wood processing at a very large Dominic North, Cumbria APF 2016 scale. A few members of the Confor Wales com- Duchy Sawmills, Cornwall 15 September 2016, Ragley Estate mittee and executives from Kronospan then had an opportunity to speak with the minister to Jason Smith, Manchester www.apfexhibition.co.uk discuss industry concerns over the low level of Joe Oliver, Cumbria Grown in Britain week 2016 10-16 October 2016, various locations commercial planting in Wales in recent years. Neil Dooley, Cumbria www.growninbritain.org The minister emphasised his support Timothy Van-Rees, Powys for the whole forestry sector including the commercial management of woodlands. Tommy Lee, Essex More info on www.confor.org (news and events) Continued on p35 32 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 Focus on...

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Continued from p32 new condition was appearing in the letters of Farming Connect courses – first online comfort issued to those who were successful application window for 2016 opens SCOTLAND in the October round. FCS have subsequently Farmers and foresters can now apply online Jamie Farquhar, Confor national amended the wording. That there has been an for up to 80% funding for accredited training manager for Scotland IT “technical issue” which has precluded any courses available through Farming Connect’s 07817 374906 FGS (Forestry Grant Scheme) applications during new lifelong learning and development [email protected] the first half of January has not helped matters. programme. The new programme is being And for an as yet unidentified reason, FCS have delivered by Lantra Wales on behalf of Farming £1bn GVA and 25,000 jobs recently stopped issuing letters of comfort, Connect. Director of Lantra Wales, Kevin These are the headlines of what the forest which is holding up work on some schemes. Thomas, said he was optimistic that the new industry is worth to the Scottish economy, programme will transform both the personal and as the report commissioned by Forestry Restock (restructuring) grant under FGS business skills of many farmers and foresters in Commission revealed before Christmas in an When the FGS guidance on Restructuring Wales. More details are available on the ‘Skills update to their 2008 figures. The report uses Regeneration grant was launched onto the and Mentoring’ pages of the Farming Connect data from 2012/13 and can be downloaded website, the eligibility criteria were at odds to website: http://businesswales.gov.wales/ at http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/ the agreement the Customer Reps group had farmingconnect/ forest-industries/economic-contribution-report agreed. There had been a lot of discussion over the EU regulations, the rate of grant, the Royal Welsh Show July 18-21 2016 Forest Infrastructure and Harvesting grant pot size, and how best it could be spent. Details and application forms for both the RWS & Processing grants Alas the published website information was Woodlands competition and the RWS chainsaw The closing date for the next round of these very different, difficult to understand and open felling competition will be out soon, anyone options of FGS is 31 March 2016. For 2017 to varying interpretations within the Private can enter so please get involved. Judges for the onwards the closing date for annual rounds sector as well as FCS. Tim Liddon took this woodland competition are also required. will be 31 January. See details at www. up with FCS supported by some constructive ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/ ideas, and as a result the guidance has been Glastir Woodlands Update topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme/ simplified. It is still not ideal but now it is the Welsh Government and NRW are working in 20 year restock plan that triggers eligibility partnership to deliver Glastir Woodlands. The SRDP not the 10 year approval. However each claim teams are now in place and will liaise with We had expressed concern that the November needs to have minimum of 10% species stakeholders to deliver the Welsh Government clearing round for FGS applications had been diversity which may or may not be appropriate Woodland Programme. cancelled, and also that a seemingly onerous for the particular site. You can amalgamate up Glastir Woodland Creation: 90 Expressions of to three years felling to create the claim and Interest were received, 84 customers have been achieve compliance but in an uncertain and selected to submit a GWC Plan. 51 plans for Draft Budget for Forestry 2016/17 changing market this too could be challenging 161ha of planting have been received, 29 plans (Figures in £m) and risky. It is likely that in many cases have been approved and first contracts are now Level 3 2015-16 2016-17 restructuring grant will be left on the table. But being offered. WG are issuing claim forms to Budget Draft Budget look on the bright side - there is a restock grant customers on confirmation of an approved plan. Woodland Grants 36.0 36.0 in Scotland that some people will be able to Policy, Regulation, Admin 5.1 4.8 67 Expressions take advantage of. Glastir Woodland Restoration: Programme Costs 21.0 18.5 of Interest were received. 59 customers were Forest Enterprise 21.7 21.7 selected to submit a Forest Management Plan Depreciation 0.1 0.1 Forest Enterprise Scotland restructuring for 396ha of restocking. EU Income (19.8) (19.8) We are grateful to Simon Hodge, Chief No firm details set yet but WG assure us that Total 64.1 61.3 Executive of FES for the following information. the Glastir woodlands programme that has been The restructuring taking place now in FES and The good news is that woodland grants launched will continue through 2017. evolving over the next couple of months is remain at the previous level of £36m, of which Lle Glastir Woodland Creation Opportunities built around three delivery functions – Land about £30m is predicated on new woodland map update: The Lle map web link is: http:// Management, Estate Development and creation. FCS’s Forestry Development lle.gov.wales/apps/woodlandopportunities. Community & Visitor Services, supported by Programme has been cut by some £2.3m, and Some members report difficulty with this so Business Services and Corporate Support. we are in discussion with FCS to understand please let us know if you do so we can tell WG. Land Management - Trevor Owen has been exactly what this will mean. Continued on p37

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36 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 COUNTRY NEWS PLANTING PLANT HEALTH

>> Continued from p35 appointed to the new position of Head of Land Keep it clean, Management. Trevor comes to Scotland from Nursery Producers’ Group Natural Resources Wales, and was previously Director of FC Wales. District Managers and FC urges Area Operations Managers are expected to Nurseries: be part of his team, as will Jo Ellis - Head ‘Keeping it clean’ will be an important theme of Planning and Environment; Mike Green - We need to know of Forestry Commission England’s communica- Harvesting and Marketing Officer; Morvern tions about pests and diseases this year. Bridges - Country Civil Engineer; and Bruce what to sow! Andy Hall, head of Forestry Commission Eng- Sewell - Forest Management Officer. land’s Tree Health Unit, explained, “Excellent Estate Development is headed by Michael Despite falling timber prices, threats posed by work is already being done across the country Ansell. From January, when Laurie Tyson takes imported disease and austerity from a fragile to reduce the risks of introducing and spreading partial retirement, Michael will be directly economic climate, the future of UK forestry looks pests and diseases. supported by Mary Lindsay - Estates Specialists brighter this year than it has in recent memory. “However, we tree professionals recognise and Policy; Suilven Pielou - Renewables; Jim The swing in grant focus, aimed at more ac- that we run the greatest risk of all groups of in- Higgins - Land Agency; Donald McLellan tively supporting planting of commercial wood- advertently spreading pests and diseases on our – Acquisitions and Disposals, and Mike land is a welcome concept. With a productive vehicles, equipment and clothing, and that we Southworth - Estates Administration and forest industry powered by investment in a core must be seen taking the lead to reduce this risk Finance. timber crop finally being recognised as vital to of giving them an easy ride.” Community and Visitor Services is headed the future of a healthy forest sector. “We have identified a demand from fellow by Alan Stevenson. Alan is supported by Phil This long awaited shift in mentality sends a tree professionals for easy to understand, handy Whitfield - Head of Design and Interpretation positive signal to processors, agents and inves- advice as to how we can each do our bit to mini- Services; Julie McMorran - Recreation Civil tors and demonstrates that messages are get- mise that risk. We will therefore be rolling out Engineer; Craig Miller – Head of Communities; ting through to government. a number of resources during the year to help and Rebecca Carr - National Forest Land Despite this, at the nursery we still find our- us all embed good biosecurity practice into our Scheme. selves looking forward with uncertainty. Sudden workaday routines in a practicable and reason- Business Services is headed by Brent shifts in grant emphasis or knee jerk reaction to able way.” Meakin. Brent’s team will evolve with the new disease, for example, continue to influence Among the resources will be: process of devolution - moving the essential demand for forest plants. Even with long term • pocket-sized ‘Z-card’ guides setting out services out of the GB teams and establishing plans in place, managers tailor planting to ex- practical steps which users can take, tailored to them in Scotland. At the outset it includes ploit funding opportunities with the knowledge the needs of three key high-risk groups - forest- Donna Hutchinson - Head of Finance and that change is always on the horizon. ers and forestry workers, arborists and landscap- Procurement; Ian Hood - Country Mechanical With finite resources available, increased de- ers; Engineer; and Colin Pielou - Buildings and mand for one species almost invariably means a • Dashboard stickers to help people “think kit, Capital Works Manager. Rosetta Forbes, drop in demand for another as focus shifts. Con- think transport and think trees” when they are Human Resources Business Partner links sequently, to offset the current demand for com- out and about; closely to Brent’s team, and Brent is currently mercial species, a decline in requirement for na- • an on-line e-learning package designed to recruiting a Head of Digital Services to lead on tive stock is predicted in 2016 and nurseries may raise awareness and knowledge of biosecurity establishing the IT function. find they have surplus broadleaves whilst conifers issues and measures; and Corporate Support enables FC/FE to deal remain unavailable until growing stock comes on • continuing the commission’s well received with Ministers and correspondents, looks line. This represents a considerable business risk programme of regional tree health events after ‘internal governance’ and is leading the to nurseries who are left with the quandary; what where woodland managers can get advice di- Organisation Development Programme. It is do we sow in the spring? This determines what rectly from experts. headed by Michael Hymers and supported by stock is available not only 2016/2017 but also Mr Hall added: “Protecting the nation’s Ewan Reid, Sylvi Kerr and Rhondda Salmond. 2018 and 2019. natural environment, including woodland, is a Changing policies and trends naturally result government priority, and our ‘Keep it Clean’ Land Reform Bill – latest in changing targets but a general doubt over programme will be a key practical expression of The Scottish Government has responded what might be coming next, coupled with admin- that policy.” to the RACCEC (Rural Affairs, Climate istrative difficulties in getting schemes approved, Biosecurity advice is already available on Change & Environment committee) report means that nurseries do not have enough cer- the Forestry Commission’s website at www. on Stage 1 of the bill, in which RACCEC had tainty to invest in sowing sufficient stock to meet forestry.gov.uk/biosecurity, and information expressed concern about the intention to the needs of the industry. about individual pests and diseases of concern reintroduce sporting rates. It seems that The continued political support for commer- is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/pestsand- SG are determined to press ahead with the cial forestry in the UK remains encouraging and diseases. reintroduction regardless, despite RACCEC and moves towards the use of UK-grown stock are representations from most land management welcomed by all indigenous growers who are bodies. We will continue to argue for deer shot ready to gear up and sow the plants that the in- Xylella guide in woodlands for control purposes to be treated dustry requires. Before this can happen we need differently from those shot for sport. to look further forwards and decide on what the The UK Plant Health Services has prepared a forest sector needs to deliver over a generation guide Xylella fastidiosa: Implications for the Rural crime not just the tenure of a single politician. nursery trade. Confor has joined the Scottish Partnership The guide is intended for growers, retailers, against Rural Crime (SPARC) led by Police Please do not hesitate to contact us as a landscapers, garden designers, traders and any- Scotland. The process of establishing regional group on [email protected]; comments, one involved in importing plants, including from groups has begun, and if nay members are questions and advice all welcome! within the EU. interested in becoming involved, please let me For more info about the Confor Nursery It can be downloaded at: www.gov.scot/ know. It would also be helpful if members can Producers’ Group, read ‘About us’ on Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/plant/ report on any serious/ongoing crime issues in 8 www.confor.org.uk PlantHealth/PlantDiseases/Xylellafastidi- their forests. osa implications for the nursery trade Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 37 MEMBER PROFILE Saying it with wood

trance to the APF and last year’s Confor show. Because we are carrying out all the proc- esses from felling through to retail it gives us full control over the quality of the things we make, making sure each project is using the most ap- propriate timber. Our strong belief is that our customers deserve the best we can give them and we are always pushing to make improve- ments when possible. The challenges our business faces are finding the right people to join the team, the uncertain- ties of future supply of timber and fluctuating prices. These issues make it hard to plan for the future. Even though we pay well for qual- ity chestnut, sadly we have seen several good Confor members Toby and Aly stands go for woodchip because the biomass Allen run Say it with wood, the industry is paid subsidy to burn it while we can Herefordshire-based timber only charge what the market will stand for fenc- business. Here Toby describes the ing. This year’s dive in prices for roadside fire- wood also has an effect, especially when the company’s varied interests standing price was agreed at last year’s peak. Finding staff who can consistently work to a high standard is always a challenge, and luck- it has performed very well, the head is nimble The core of our business is cutting naturally du- ily we have some brilliant people on our team, enough to fit round most of the coppice stools rable timber (around 70% sweet chestnut) and which in my opinion is our greatest asset. In (the rest being felled by hand). The main ad- making it into fencing, garden furniture and order to concentrate on our core staff rather vantage is that one team can be working one landscape projects. We also operate a mobile than bringing in casual fallers we recently took site at a time, rather than trying to run several sawmill, do contract work, and sell firewood. the gamble to invest in an eight-ton excavator sites at once with casual fallers who may not be Alongside this Aly and I write, give talks and with a stroke harvesting head, the conversion up to the correct standard or simply using us as organise courses and events. Aly is a trustee of being done by Forest Machine Services. So far cheap training. Apart from a complete change the SWA too. in methodology, up to now the main drawback It’s a wonderfully varied business and is I am missing my usual winter felling ‘workout’ our strength is that we span the full range of The forest industry has so have to go to the gym. products made from resistant timber. One of We initially grade the chestnut at stump our teams can be making agricultural fencing been good to us, which is to either 6m poles or 1.8m stake wood, the stakes, while another is working on bespoke why we believe that putting low quality being cut to 2.5m and sold road- cleft gates, with the fitting team installing any- side as firewood. Aly runs the main processing thing a customer can think of – from cleft post something back is important. yard where the 6m poles are delivered, before and rail fencing, to the arches at the public en- being re-graded on the cutting out table into whatever our customers have asked for. This is probably the most important part of the whole operation. Then it is split, cleft, peeled, pointed, dressed, mortised, milled, sawn, joined, etc, us- ing a variety of devices and techniques. Some of these are age-old skills while other processes are done using machines designed or adapted for our needs. Customers and visitors are always welcome to the yard by appointment, and it is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area. The forest industry has been good to us, which is why we believe that putting something back is important. Without the people with the skills and experience to bring timber to roadside the rest of the industry cannot function and the contracting sector is often taken for granted by managers/agents/owners. In the last few years we have helped organise networking and training events for forestry workers, something Confor supported at the last Woodland Show at Longleat. Being a part of the practical action that can improve the industry is the main rea- son Aly and I joined Confor. A healthy industry is good for us all. We are always looking for standing timber or work in our area, let us know if you have any. Harvesting and, above, Aly with ‘little Val’ 8 www.sayitwithwood.co.uk 38 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 If you would like to advertise within F&TN contact Chloe on 01502 725835

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40 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 PEOPLE PESTICIDES NOTEBOOK Colin Palmer Anand Punja (below left) has been appointed as FSC Regional Director for Europe from 1 January 2016. Over the past five years Anand has led on sustainability issues at the Timber Spray Operator Certification Trade Federation in the UK, working with members and key stakeholders to provide an With the spraying season soon to be upon us work. This can be managed by splitting the cer- overarching strategic framework for the TTF’s it seems prudent to review the current certifi- tification process into two parts - gaining PA1 work in this area. The predominant focus of cation requirements for spray operators, and initially, and then PA6 shortly after gaining field his work at the TTF has been on Responsible those training for certification. experience. This has the additional advantage Timber Procurement and Supply Chain The UK National Action Plan for Pesticides of understanding the environmental and safety Management, in particular EUTR. Given the published in 2013 to implement the 2009 EC aspects of the task before spraying but using the improvements the UK timber industry has pesticide directive requires everyone, to have a field experience to make the PA6 element more made in the responsible sourcing of timber, PA1 and, (for knapsack spraying) PA6 certificate, relevant. his work increasingly focused on the role that by 26 November 2015. This includes those born Finally, PA1 & PA6 qualifications are for life timber can play in delivering a low carbon built before 31 December 1964 (“grandfathers”) who and do not need to be renewed. However, City environment. should by now have gained the equivalent Level & Guilds do recommend staff undertaking a 2 City & Guilds award. “refresher” every three to five years, and at least There are, however, different approaches in one trainer is now developing such refresher the industry with regard to the training of train- courses. Details from Colin Palmer via the Confor ee spray operators who have no certification. Pesticides Helpline. Many organisations opt for full certification prior to spraying, while others allow uncertified * A revised edition of the Pesticide Code of Prac- operators to apply sprays under supervision as tice is expected early in 2016 to take account of part of the training process. the latest EC regulations. A full review of signifi- So what are the rules if the latter course is cant changes will be reported in a future edition A Northumberland forestry graduate who left followed? of FTN home to study in Aberdeen has returned to Section 8.14 of the UK National Action Plant her roots – landing a job at Hexham-based for Pesticides states ”It is now a statutory re- Operator Certification EGGER Forest Management. Katherine Evans- quirement for professional end users to hold an Rabbits & Rats Smith (above right) graduated from Aberdeen accredited certificate (unless they are working 26 November 2015 is also a key date for those University earlier this year, and won a national under the direct supervision of someone who applying Phostoxin / Talunex for rabbit control, award for the best forest management plan holds one; i.e. they are being trained)”. or rodenticides for rat control. A City & Guilds that she produced as part of her course. This confirms the statement in the current Level 2 award is now required for both of these Now the 27-year-old will be putting what Pesticide Code of Practice* which states “If you operations, so any persons wishing to use the she learned into practice, working at EGGER – need to have a certificate of competence to do materials should contact the relevant training with another local manager Dave Robson from your job, but you do not have one yet, you must providers. Prudhoe – as a forest manager helping farmers be supervised by a person who has the neces- Training for users of Talunex Aluminium and landowners across the North East to sary certificate”. Phosphide through HFM Ltd, tel: 01677 424542. maximise the value of their woodland assets. The ‘yet’, is the critical word, and in no way should supervised spraying be seen as a means of avoiding certification, and it is strongly rec- ommended that trainees are booked onto a PA6 certificate assessment prior to gaining in field experience. The supervising certificate holder must be in voice and sight contact of the trainee(s), and I would suggest that ideally this would mean Tilhill Forestry has strengthened its board of that this is achieved on a 1:1 basis, although directors with the appointment of Tim Liddon it should also be practicable to supervise two Hylobius update (above left) as Forestry Director and Jason trainees. The supervisor must be able to see the We currently have access to three hylobius Sinden (above right) as Investment & Property person(s) doing all parts of the job, including: insecticides for top up spraying. Forester, Director with effect from 1 December 2015. • preparing and mixing the pesticide; which has a full label, and Gazelle SG and Both new directors bring with them a wealth • filling equipment and making sure the dose Alert which have offlabel approvals. of experience and knowledge from both within levels are correct (calibrating); However, Alert has now been Tilhill Forestry and from the forest industry in • applying the pesticide; and commercially withdrawn and stocks in general. • cleaning equipment and disposing of merchants stores will soon be depleted. Tim Liddon will reinforce and extend the washings, leftover pesticides and the There is, though, no current “use up” date forestry expertise on the board and will be containers. for product in the forestry spray stores so responsible for all the company’s forestry It should be noted that all trainees must any remaining stocks may continue to be operations. For the last seven years Tim has be able to demonstrate an acceptable level used for weevil control. been the company’s regional manager in of competence prior to commencing any field Scotland. Tilhill says Jason Sinden’s appointment signifies the importance the company MEMBER SERVICES PESTICIDES HELPLINE places on investment in forest property for both its forestry clients and the business of If you haven’t used the service to date, be assured it is a free service operated Tilhill Forestry itself. He has a track record in by Confor’s crop protection adviser Colin Palmer on behalf of Confor members. commercial forestry and woodland creation Colin can be contacted 8am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays on 01531 633500 with over 25 years of industry experience. He (leave a message if necessary) or by email to: [email protected] joined Tilhill Forestry in 2005. Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 41 WOODLAND OWNER Professor Julian Evans OBE Three books, two woods and one polecat

ince Christmas I’ve been reading Chris timber and they suffered massively from the Yarrow’s splendid book, Thirty Years in great storm of October 1987. They created play SWilderness Wood. It relates the story of areas, built a barn, turned ‘woody things’ for how he and his wife, Anne, bought a 61 acre sale, and developed rides, campsites and small wood in Hadlow Down, Sussex, and over the car parks. It really is all there and I commend years it became their life’s work. In this issue Thirty Years in Wilderness Wood to anyone of FTN focussing on diversifying management, wondering how to diversify. what Chris and Anne achieved is an exemplar of what can be done. The polecat arrived as result of mid-winter grey The evidence of their success is that after all squirrel control. I began some early trapping the usual battles with planning they received to look at sexes and to assess the likely scale permission to build their own house in the wood. of the grey squirrel assault in 2016. It wasn’t They were able to demonstrate that Wilderness very successful only catching five over the Wood was indeed their principal livelihood. Chris, Christmas and New Year period; two females a chartered forester, writes with an engaging and three males. There was probably too style and the book, published in September much other food in this mild of early winters to 2015, can be obtained from the publisher, tempt the squirrels to search for the bait put Matador, or directly from Chris by emailing out. On almost the last of my daily rounds to [email protected] or by phoning 01825 check the cages one was sprung. I lifted up the 831972. black polythene and there looking straight at Also published last year was my own, me, unflinching and very unsquirrel-like was a Getting started in your own wood which is an polecat. At least that was my first thought and introductory account of how to care for a small for occasional teaching, special visits, and from its size, its darkish brown fur and somewhat wood. It is published by Permanent Publications enjoyment by family and friends, but this is a fluffy tail, and the white ring-like circle on its and is a beginner’s guide. It was a much revised far cry from Chris and Anne’s dedicated efforts. face and white trims on tops of the ears I am version of Badgers, Beeches and Blisters and, In particular they took the step of opening fairly sure of the identification. I opened the importantly, Will Rolls wrote two new chapters Wilderness Wood to visitors for school parties, trap door and, after a bit of goading, it departed covering pest and diseases and growing wood for picnics and BBQs, for events, for fungal forays with a snarly hiss and scampered off in a dead fuel and the delights of wood burning stoves. and other wildlife activities and much more. straight line. It is the first time I have been so The third book has been a surprise. When I They grew Christmas trees as their pension, or close to a polecat. A check on-line with wildlife wrote about trees in the Bible two years ago, they were supposed to be, they sold bean and organisations revealed that polecats are steadily God’s Trees: Trees, forests and wood in the Bible pea sticks, and moss to the floristry trade, they spreading from their stronghold in Wales published by DayOne, I never expected it to sell coppiced chestnut, thinned pine stands and sold including now into central southern England. so well nor for it to be a finalist in The People’s Book Prize for non-fiction. Forgive me for this self-publicity, but there is more. Not only was it reprinted after just 18 months, but it generated numerous requests from church and non-church groups to give talks. In 2015 alone I gave 28 presentations all over the country ranging from cathedral services to prayer breakfasts and U3As to science societies. I have been used to giving an occasional talk about the joys and vicissitudes of owning a small woodland but nothing to match the demand for God’s Trees. There is now a dedicated website to handle this interest www.godstrees.org.uk or if any reader would like to make contact direct do phone on 01256 381154.

The two woods are Chris and Anne’s Wilderness Wood and my own, Northdown Plantation in Hampshire. Theirs is twice the size of mine but what impressed me about Wilderness Wood is just what can be done when it is managed full-time. We cut firewood each year and thin every seven or eight for the main produce. We promote wildlife by leaving dead wood, snags, opening glades and enhancing structure by developing understorey and ‘edge effect’ along rides and tracks. And the wood is used 42 Forestry & Timber News, February 2016 IS YOUR FOREST BEING MANAGED EFFECTIVELY? SETTING NEW STANDARDS IN FOREST MANAGEMENT

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