Forestry & Timber News

FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS February 2020 Issue 97

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40 | COMMUNICATING FORESTRY WIDENING THE NET TO SECURE Confor is a membership organisation OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE that promotes sustainable forestry and 42 | EDUCATION & TRAINING wood-using businesses. Confor members receive Forestry and Timber News MENTORING THE FUTURE OF for free as part of their membership. For FORESTRY more information on membership, visit VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS TO INSPIRE www.confor.org.uk/join-us THE NEXT GENERATION OF Past issues and articles can be accessed FORESTERS online at 46 | MARKETS www.confor.org.uk/news/ftn-magazine TIMBER MARKET REPORT Non-member subscriptions: BIDDING SUBDUED AT £60 (£65 overseas). HARDWOOD AUCTION Please contact [email protected] TIMBER AUCTIONS MARKET REPORT

CONFOR CONTACTS NEWS & COMMENT 53 | OBITUARY Stefanie Kaiser 55 | MACHINERY Communications and editor FTN 5 | EDITORIAL T: 0131 240 1420 CHAINSAW MILLING E: [email protected] 6 | GENERAL ELECTION ‘GET TREE PLANTING DONE’: 66 | TIMBER TRANSPORT Caroline Harrison DELIVERING ON THE RHETORIC ROADS, FORESTS, PEOPLE National manager for England M: 07500 927482 SNP BACKS CONFOR PLANTING E: [email protected] 68 | INTERNATIONAL TARGETS ARE THERE LESSONS TO BE Jamie Farquhar 10 | CONFOR NEWS LEARNED FROM WOODFUEL- National manager for Scotland M: 07817 374906 ANDY LEITCH TO JOIN CONFOR RELIANT COUNTRIES E: [email protected] IN APRIL 71 | MOTOR ANDREW HEALD MOVES ON TO Anthony Geddes CONSULTANCY ROLES NEW DEFENDER SET FOR APRIL National manager for Wales SHOWROOM DEBUT T: 074 94079305 CONFOR BUSINESS PLAN 2020 E: [email protected] CONFOR EVENTS CALENDAR 2020 73 | SMALL WOODLAND OWNER Dr Eleanor Harris 16 | PUBLIC SECTOR Policy Researcher 74 | FORESTRY IN PICTURES T: 0131 240 1417 Q&A WITH MIKE SEDDON, CHIEF E: [email protected] EXECUTIVE FORESTRY ENGLAND FEATURES REGULARS 22 | FOREST MANAGEMENT & DIVERSIFICATION 18 | EVENTS INNOVATING FROM SEED TO USING BIOCHAR TO TACKLE TIMBER SUPPLY CLIMATE CHANGE RETHINKING THE OPPORTUNITIES SCOTLAND’S FINEST WOOD FROM AGROFORESTRY AND FARM AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRIES WOODLANDS

Confor head offi ce and editorial offi ce 20 | MEMBER PROFILE 61 | HUMAN RESOURCES 59 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2JG AGRIFOREST WHAT3WORDS

0131 240 1410 29 | INDUSTRY FUNDING FISA GUIDANCE ON MANAGING HEALTH & SAFETY IN FORESTRY HOW POTATO SECTOR BENEFITS [email protected] FROM ‘FUNDING FROM WITHIN’ LOOKING AFTER YOUR TEAMS’ WELLBEING

www.confor.org.uk 33 | RESTOCKING IGGESUND TRAINS STAFF AS FORESTRY AND LAND MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS For the latest news of forestry and wood SCOTLAND’S APPROACH TO TRACKPLOT sign up to #forestandwood on Twitter RESTOCKING COVER STORY Published by Countrywide Publications, 37 | FUNDING Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ An international group on behalf of Confor. INNOVATING TO GROW YOUR of chainsaw users BUSINESS AND THE SECTOR attending a technical For advertising, contact Laura Munnings demo at a Husqvarna 01502 725866 38 | YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH product launch in [email protected] PLANT HEALTH: A SEED Sweden. Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd SUPPLIER’S PERSPECTIVE Photo: S Kaiser Wolmanit® CX Trusted preservative for high quality timber treatment

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The year we could make a difference

STUART GOODALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CONFOR

® t’s an over-used cliché to talk about people has come a long way in recent Wolmanit CX the importance of the coming year, years. That has taken time and resource, but 2020 may just live up to its and we need to maintain that activity, Ibilling. if only to avoid going backwards. In Trusted preservative The UK Government is gearing up to that vein, I was heartened to read that make unprecedented funding available The Woodland Trust have publicly for forestry in England, especially tree recognised the need to plant more for high quality planting and possibly nursery and productive woodland and use more seed supply, and it has signalled to the wood in its high-profi le call for action in devolved administrations a desire to January to tackle the climate and nature timber treatment work with them – code for additional emergencies. funding? I wrote this article while travelling COP26 will take place in Glasgow in back from London after the launch of November, shining a strong spotlight on Committee on Climate Change report climate change. We’re approaching the on land use. It makes stark reading Scottish Government to run an event and has clear recommendations – on UK trees and timber designed to trees and timber are fi rmly in there, increase the pressure for action across and governments should be listening. all four countries. However, there is a proposal to raise Wood for Good is developing a funding for new planting from a new promotional campaign built around its carbon trading mechanism based on

registered collective mark ‘Wood Co2ts a levy of polluting businesses, such as Less’. The aim is to unite the forestry airlines. and timber sector around common For me, there is a danger that placing messages promoting greater use of the onus on carbon trading will produce wood. unintended consequences. I have At the same time, we’re watchful of already warned against ‘charismatic a potential backlash. Popular and news carbon’ where businesses only want to media reporting has been on the whole plant native woodland and do it near positive about the need for more communities – they are more interested trees, but the signs are there. in the perceived PR benefi ts for their Farmers are challenging the need business than offsetting carbon. to move away from grazing The report also highlights locking up animals. Some environmental carbon in wood products (something interests are criticising tree we lobbied them very strongly on), but planting for its use of plastic then it lacks detail on how that will be tree shelters and are calling for stimulated. rewilding or natural regeneration Clearly the picture is mainly one of Wood preservatives for use class 1-4 alone to establish new woodland. ‘work in progress’. We need to keep Confor has developed a making the case for action and advising Patented Wolmanit CX formulation, since 1989 number of links into the on what that action should be… and BASF warehousing and logistics media and our networking push on in 2020! Engineering support with key groups and www.confor.org.uk Marketing support

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BASF Wolman GmbH, Dr.-Wolman-Str. 31–33, 76547 Sinzheim, Germany, Contact: [email protected], Phone: 0161 488 5329, www.basf.com/wolman GENERAL ELECTION

‘Get tree planting done’: delivering on the rhetoric

David Lee asks to be delivered “by the end of the next par- for Climate Fund, we will overhaul our ap- whether or liament”. Assuming two full fi ve-year terms proach to tree-planting and in the spring (a big assumption after three general elec- we’ll launch our consultation on the English not the new tions in less than fi ve years, but much more Tree Strategy. Conservative likely with a majority government in place), “I urge you to take up whichever tree of- that would take us to December 2029. fers – the one which fi ts your business best Government can live But will the Conservatives turn words … whether it’s woodland creation grants or up to its positive rhetoric on paper into trees in the ground - and are the Woodland Carbon Guarantee.” they serious about meeting these planting The language is positive - “big prom- oris Johnson and the Conserv- targets? ises”, “stepping up planting”, “overhaul our ative Party won the General The available evidence suggests grounds approach” - and the specifi c mention of the Election by promising to Get for optimism. Barely had we shaken off our ‘bidding war’ and different funding pots Brexit Done. With a stonking New Year hangovers that Environment suggests the commitment is truly there to Bmajority, they can now deliver Secretary Theresa Villiers was talking trees try to change things for the better. on that pledge, but they will also come un- at the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC). der fi erce pressure to deliver on manifesto It’s worth looking carefully at what she said: Mantra commitments - and that includes a promise “I very much hope we can engage the We are in a very different world from to Get Tree Planting Done. knowledge and expertise of our farmers as 2015/16 when Forestry Minister Thérèse For the fi rst time in modern politics, we deliver our big promises on trees. Coffey constantly repeated, without much trees were an important subject of an elec- “This was the fi rst election where there conviction, the mantra that 11 million trees tion campaign, with all parties promising to was a bidding war between the parties on would be “planted in the lifetime of this ramp up existing woeful planting rates in tree planting. Our manifesto commits us parliament” (theoretically fi ve years). This England. to stepping up planting across the UK to was a mere rollover target from what was The Conservative Party pledge was reach up to 75,000 acres a year by the end planted in 2010-2015, with no clear link to 30,000 hectares of new woodland creation of this Parliament. policy objectives and no obvious roadmap (or, as they seem to prefer, 75,000 acres), “Supported by our £640 million Nature to get there.

Four key ingredients for planting

Strong political leadership: Partnership between industry, 1 3 Fergus Ewing MSP provided this government and agencies: in Scotland by making a fi rm personal political leadership in Scotland has commitment to tree planting and driving gone hand-in-hand with a pragmatic forward the agencies needed to make it approach, including listening carefully to happen. Lord Goldsmith’s enthusiasm and what the industry says is achievable. We energy suggests he might do the same in hope this is replicated in England, with England. industry playing a central role in new Regional Forestry Partnerships. Link tree planting targets to wider 2 policy objectives: Simplifying processes for planting 4 Until the 2019 election, UK tree planting applications and approvals: targets existed very much in a vacuum, All the above will have no impact if with no clear policy rationale. This has systems are so complex and timescales changed, with climate change mitigation so long that those who want to plant repeatedly highlighted as the main trees are put off. The Mackinnon Review reason for planting trees, following has kicked off improvements to the Scotland’s lead. As a result, environmental Scottish system and a similar approach organisations like Friends of the Earth is needed in England, plus a change in have focused more on tree planting, mindset, where we think how to create starting to create the kind of broad an environment where the presumption coalition needed to make a real change. is to plant, not fi nd reasons not to plant.

6 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Since then, Confor has worked hard with Dr Coffey’s successors, fi rst David Broadleaves Rutley MP - who backed our drive for greater planting in Northumberland en- Wales Conifers thusiastically - and then Zac Goldsmith, England Total 4320 who was challenged by our CEO Stuart Goodall to pick up the baton and run Total 20,620 3470 with it, which he did. His promise of a 19,800 850 new ‘Northumberland Forest’, and more signifi cantly the creation of a Northum- 820 berland Forest Partnership, was the most eye-catching forestry announcement of his pre-election stint, but arguably far more signifi cant was his reassuring call, in early November, to “plant trees now”, with funds to be made available. Scotland The language in a Defra news release was as positive as we Total 68,210 have heard from a Minister in a 39,440 very long time: “I want to reas- sure you that support for tree 28770 planting and woodland creation will continue to be part of this government’s agenda. There is no need for concern about how woodland created now will be treated under Environmental Land Management (ELM) in the future and certainly no reason to delay tree plant- Tree planting in ing. To respond to the climate emergency, we need you to plant trees now.” England, Scotland It’s worth noting the emphasis on re- & Wales 2010-2019 sponding to the climate emergency and (in hectares) planting trees now - suggesting a sense of urgency which has been notably lack- >>

Five key Confor priorities for 2020 Work closely with ministers 1 and offi cials across UK to lay the groundwork for delivering the 30,000 hectare target, including future nursery supply;

Get the message across that 2 this can’t happen without productive planting at scale;

Create private sector-led 3 partnerships to deliver planting in Northumberland and then elsewhere;

Continue to play a central role in 4 shaping ELMs;

Work hard on the other key planks 5 of our election manifesto - urging the Government to support more effective management of existing woods and use more home-grown timber.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 7 GENERAL ELECTION CUT FASTER.

>> ing in forestry policy in recent years. The There are some interesting and important questions raised by the table shows the woeful planting fi gures in England (and Wales), while Scotland races Conservative Party manifesto which need answering quickly: Why did it equate 30,000 hectares of new planting to only 30 million trees? ahead - planting 84% of the trees in the 1 whole of the UK in 2018/19. This implies a density of only 1000 trees per hectare, when 2000 is much more CUT LONGER. So how optimistic can we be that the standard for modern, mixed-species forestry. Without including a decent percentage positive language can be translated into of conifers in large-scale planting schemes, it’s hard to see how targets can be met. action, to set us on the road to that annual What does the intriguing promise to “work with Devolved Administrations 2 30,000 hectare planting target? to achieve this goal” mean in the context of planting targets? Could the UK The fact that Zac Goldsmith is back as Government pay the other countries to plant trees on its behalf? Forestry Minister is not without controver- CUT BETTER. sy, as he has been elevated to the House of Lords after losing his London seat. How- ing carefully what is planned to local peo- and simplifying processes for planting ap- ever, the decision to keep him in post looks ple and working with them to deliver plant- plications and approval (see panel 1). positive for our industry, as his energy and ing is vital after the lessons learned by the As Confor drives progress? in all these ar- enthusiasm for trees was notable before FIZ project in Cumbria. eas, the clock is ticking to develop ELMs for the election. Confor chief executive Stuart In that vein, Stuart Goodall organised a a post-Brexit world. Confor’s National Man- Goodall met him last autumn and has se- very successful visit to Wallshield in North- ager for England, Caroline Harrison, is lead- cured early meetings with Lord Goldsmith umberland for the local National Farmers ing our efforts to ensure the wide-ranging and senior offi cials - with a focus on discuss- Union committee and staff team in De- benefi ts of forestry and wood are fully con- ing, in detail, how to push planting rates up. cember to see a recent productive plant- sidered and rewarded at the heart of ELMs Northumberland is an important starting scheme. There was real positivity and as we shift to a ‘public money for public ing-point as there is clear interest - and interest, and a desire to work with Confor good’ funding model. The publication of opportunity - from a wide range of groups to learn more and to engage with a local the Agriculture Bill promises a new system to deliver signifi cant new planting there, Partnership. which will treat forestry fairly, as opposed and to establish a model to be replicated If a successful forestry partnership can to the Common Agricultural Policy, which elsewhere in England. The Goldsmith an- be created in Northumberland, the partner- discriminated against planting trees. nouncement in September 2019 suggested ship model could be adapted in other parts There is also the delayed Tree Strategy the fi rst stage of planting in the county of England to deliver planting in a struc- to consider, and we understand the consul- would consist of a million trees, mainly on tured, collaborative way. Confor will argue tation will now begin in the Spring. Confor public sector land - with planting starting industry must be at the heart of this part- will engage at every stage to ensure what later this year and fi nishing in 2024. nership, as it has been in Scotland, where emerges delivers meaningful outcomes 90 per cent of new planting in 2018/19 was and commitments rather than platitudes. Engagement done by the private sector. There is much to be done, but for the Confor will work hard to get this early stage It is important to look at what has fi rst time in decades, it feels the stars might planting moving quickly, while seeking to worked in Scotland and how that might be aligned for forestry and wood. There is create an industry-led Northumberland help drive up planting in England. There a more positive attitude towards planting Forestry Partnership to develop longer- are arguably four key areas: strong political across the political spectrum and an under- term plans and engage all interested par- leadership; linking planting targets to wider standing that the climate change impera- ties - including local residents, farmers, policy objectives, especially climate change tive means we must plant far more trees - landowners, environmental groups and the mitigation; a genuine partnership between and quickly. Arguably, this is the best time forestry and wood-using industry. Explain- the industry, government and agencies; in the last 30 years to Get Planting Done.

SNP backs Confor planting targets Confor’s long-term planting targets have been backed by the Scottish National Party, with a pledge to plant 36 million trees every year in Scot- land by 2030 to tackle the climate emergency. Fergus Ewing MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Deidre Brock, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith and party spokesperson on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at Westminster, signed the pledge with Confor CEO Stuart Goodall. Planting fi gures across the UK to the end of March 2019 showed 84 per cent of new woodland creation happening in Scotland. The annual planting target in Scotland of 10,000 hectares (ha) - roughly 20 million trees INTRODUCING 550 XP® & 545 MKII - was surpassed, with 11,200ha of new woodland planted - while other " The 545 is perfect for working up in the tree, like crown reduction, Professional chainsaws with outstanding areas of the UK fell well short of their targets. and I really love its easy starts, whereas the new 550XP® takes performance, quick acceleration and Confor’s targets, set last April, include 18,000ha of new planting annu- care of felling and performs more like a 60cc despite its optimised best in class cutting capacity with 2 year ally in Scotland by 2030 - 36 million trees at a planting density of 2000 warranty. trees per hectare. size and balance". • Displacement: 50.1cm3 Stuart Goodall said: “I’m delighted the SNP has shown long-term com- Martin Gotz - Tree care professional & Chainsaw instructor • Power Output: 5.3kW mitment to new planting by signing up to our targets.” • Weight: 6.6kg For more information and to locate your local Authorised Husqvarna dealer • Autotune™, Low Vib® & X-Torq® visit: HUSQVARNA.COM/UK 8 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK

INTRODUCING 550 XP® & 545 MKII " The 545 is perfect for working up in the tree, like crown reduction, Professional chainsaws with outstanding and I really love its easy starts, whereas the new 550XP® takes performance, quick acceleration and care of felling and performs more like a 60cc despite its optimised best in class cutting capacity with 2 year warranty. size and balance". • Displacement: 50.1cm3 Martin Gotz - Tree care professional & Chainsaw instructor • Power Output: 5.3kW • Weight: 6.6kg For more information and to locate your local Authorised Husqvarna dealer • Autotune™, Low Vib® & X-Torq® visit: HUSQVARNA.COM/UK

Andy Leitch to join Confor in April

onfor has now signed a contract worked with senior politicians in Scot- with Andy Leitch to take over from tish Government, senior management in CDavid Sulman as Deputy Chief the economic development agencies and Executive with the same key roles and other public sector organisations, and es- responsibilities. Andy will join Confor In tablished successful working relationships April. He brings a wealth of experience and with senior managers not only from the knowledge. forest industry, but other associated indus- Andy has been involved in the industry tries such as construction and biotechnol- for nearly 35 years and is well respected ogy. He has also acted as a special advisor for his strategic perspective as well as his on Forest Industries to Scotland’s econom- ambition and determination for growth ic development agencies which has ena- and success in the forest and wood-based bled the sector to access funding for vari- research and development activities industries. ous company and sector support. that add value to Scotland’s forest and For the last 12 years, Andy has been Andy is known outside of Scotland for wood based sector. based in Silvan House (working for Scottish his work with the Wood for Good Cam- In addition, Andy has been part of: Forestry and latterly Scottish Enterprise) paign and close working with Wood Knowl- • Expert Group for Timber Trade where he has focussed principally on work- edge Wales, TRADA, the Timber Trade Statistics ing with industry at a strategic level. Federation, Wood Protection Association • UK Timber Grading Committee In that time, Andy’s responsibilities in- and Structural Timber Association. • Active member of the Wood for Good cluded managing the Strategic Timber Andy’s current and previous roles include: Campaign Committee Transport Fund facilitating over £20m of • Chair of the Strategic Integrated • Represent UK Government on EU support to the industry over fi ve years, Research in Timber (SIRT) programme Expert Committee for Forest managing a three-year £1.5m programme at Napier University Based Industries at Edinburgh Napier University delivering • Chair of internal stakeholder group for • Forest Value (European research continued research in wood science, new Forest Research Tree Breeding and programme aimed at adding value to wood product development for construc- Timber Properties research wood supply chains) Steering Group tion and the promotion of timber as a con- programmes on behalf of GB partners. • Scottish Biorefi nery Working Group struction material. • Executive to Scottish Forest and • Mass Timber commercialisation project Andy’s work promoting timber as a sus- Timber Technologies (SFTT) Industry steering group tainable construction material has been rec- Leadership group • Materials Library Stakeholder Group ognised by the construction/architecture • Chair of the SFTT ILG Skills Group and • Lantra Stakeholder Group communities and he was recently awarded Forest Machine Operators Development • Sitka spruced genomics project Impact an Honorary Fellowship to the Royal Incor- Group Advisory Group poration of Architects in Scotland. • Managed the Timber Development • Scottish School of Forestry Advisory In his role with Scottish Forestry, Andy • Programme which supports/co-funds Group.

Andrew Heald will be leaving Confor at the Thanking Andrew for all his work with Andrew Heald end of February to become a full-time con- Confor, CEO Stuart Goodall said, “Andrew moves on to sultant, working initially with WWF Interna- has been a valued and valuable member of tional on their New Generation Plantations the Confor team. He brought to the team a consultancy roles platform, and with Edinburgh University’s wide knowledge of practical forestry mat- sustainability team as their forestry advisor. ters and experience in working with topical With David and Dorothy Sulman having areas like certifi cation and sustainability, retired and Andy Leitch scheduled to join as well as community engagement. I will Confor at the beginning of April, it is a time be sorry to see Andrew leave, but pleased of change in the Confor team. The intention that his time with Confor has helped him is to secure temporary cover for Andrew prepare for the exciting opportunities he’s and to let Andy bed in for a few months be- now embarking on.” fore defi ning the role to replace Andrew and In the short-term, Confor will call on begin the process of recruitment. temporary external support and Andrew’s Andrew joined Confor in February 2014 key responsibilities will be picked up by as a consultant and became the full time Andy Leitch and colleagues in the Confor Technical Director six months later. In his team, with Caroline Ayre taking a lead on time with Confor, Andrew’s key work areas plant health and biosecurity. have included certifi cation, forestry statis- While Andrew may be moving on from tics, plant health issues and representing Confor, he has assured us that he will contin- members in Northern Ireland. ue to tweet about forestry, trees and timber!

10 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Isuzu Grafter Green. A proper little grafter. Loaded www.isuzutruck.co.uk For further information please call: with benefits. 0845 226 7983 Discover how the all-new Isuzu Grafter Green can work for your business. CONFOR NEWS

Confor Business Plan 2020

Our business plan for 2020 has been developed with, Led by the Board, Confor and signed off by, the Board. The following is a summary has identified the following of the priorities and key work areas. priorities: • Securing future wood supply Member and business and in 2021 this review will be extended to embrace all Members - developing an in- • Changing attitudes through offering priorities for 2020 tegrated and fair subscription mechanism. Climate Change solutions As a members organisation, Members must In 2020, Confor will seek to retain the • Better industry statistical Information always be seen to be at the heart of Con- trust and support of those businesses who • Plant health for and their continuing support can never joined Confor from the former UKFPA, par- • Skills training be taken for granted. In 2020, Confor will ticularly important given the retirement of aim to improve communication with Mem- David and Dorothy Sulman at the end of • Growing and promoting markets bers alongside representing and promot- December 2019. Confor will also strength- for timber ing their interests and providing valued en its membership engagement generally • Aiding the economic development of member services. This will mean ensuring through improved communication and a the industry Confor staff are accessible to Members new integrated Member database and These priorities will be expanded on in through regular regional meetings and by website, the latter will feature additional Confor’s campaigns with appropriate phone and email to support with relevant functionality for Members. These develop- stretch targets and clarity on what will technical advice and information as re- ments will support continued improved be delivered in-year and what will likely quired. There will also be a review of the performance on Member retention, and aid continue beyond end-2020, as well as Board to ensure that Confor is seen truly with further Member recruitment, especial- greater detail on what will be delivered, as being the voice of the whole Forest In- ly, it is intended, of woodland owners. how and by when. dustry, delivering value to all parts of the As well as adapting to the retirement supply chain and across the UK. of David and Dorothy, Confor will also see Reflecting its increased scope and scale, its Technical Director, Andrew Heald leave Confor operates in a dynamic political Confor will ensure through a review that it at the end of February to take up a new and timber market environment and aims has strong financial management in place. role with Edinburgh University. Therefore, to retain a focus on supporting Member A review of the larger company subscrip- the internal focus in the first half of 2020 businesses through advice, information, tion mechanism will ensure that Confor will be to bed in new systems and people, lobbying and promotion. provides value for money for these Mem- while keeping a focus on improved Mem- The full business plan is available to read on bers following the recent merger with the ber engagement and on delivering the the Confor website (under About Confor/ UK Forest Products Association (UKFPA), campaigns. This is Confor)

Confor’s Purpose Confor is a members’ organisation that represents, supports and promotes the sustainable forestry and wood products industry.

Confor’s Vision To be the voice for the sustainable forestry and wood products industry. We will achieve this by working on behalf of members and the wider sustainable forestry and wood products industry to: • help build the market for wood products and forest services; • create a supportive policy environment for sustainable forestry and wood-using businesses; • work with partners to tackle important sectoral issues; • provide high quality, valued member services.

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Forestry & Timber News_Forestry_Westonbirt_Chainsaw_297x210.indd 1 15/01/2020 11:52 CONFOR EVENTS CALENDAR 2020

NATIONAL REGIONAL SPRING MEETINGS AND EVENTS CONFOR ANNUAL DINNER AND AWARDS SCOTLAND Southeast members event May 25 February Scottish Forest and Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Gravetye Manor, Sussex Timber Technologies Topic: Climate change Edinburgh meetings - spring Confor’s annual dinner event ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW resilience, disease and trees in and awards ceremony will (forestry day) North-east the landscape feature three additional new 19 June 5 March Marches members event awards this year: for a Future Royal Highland Centre, Thainstone House Hotel, Details to follow Leader, for Changing Attitudes Ingliston, Edinburgh Inverurie and for Innovation and www.royalhighlandshow.org South research. 11 March WALES Sure Queens Hotel, Lockerbie Confor Wales Central Committee 17 March 19 February Stirling Court Hotel Royal Welsh Showground TIMBER TRANSPORT 10 June CONFERENCE ROYAL WELSH SHOW Venue TBC 20 March 20 – 23 July ENGLAND The North Lakes Hotel & Spa, Royal Welsh Showground, Regional meetings CPD events Penrith Llanelwedd Increasing the value of This year’s Volvo-sponsored The largest event for forestry Southeast committee your timber conference is held in the North and woodland in Wales for 13 February 24 March of England with a focus on 2020. Deers Hut, Liphook, Hampshire Ruthin forestry expansion to diversify https://rwas.wales East committee Institute of Chartered Foresters land use, sustain the timber 27 February & Confor industries and address the Corby, Northamptonshire Understanding welfare units Climate Emergency. Southwest committee, Devon March 2020 & Cornwall APF EXHIBITION Venue TBC 24-26 September 11 March and 27 May EPS for contractors Ragley Estate, Alcester Great Fulford, Devon Spring 2020 Confor’s fl agship event and the North committee Venue TBC UK’s largest forestry, woodland, 21 May Below: APF is Confor’s arboriculture, fencing and FC ofﬁ ces, Penrith, Cumbria Writing site specifi c risk assessments ﬂ agship event – and the biomass show. Marches committee Spring 2020 UK’s largest forestry show www.apfexhibition.co.uk May (date TBC) Venue TBC Mascall Centre, Ludlow Machinery checks and records Southwest committee, Wessex (PUWER) May (date TBC) 22 July CPD events Venue RWAS North members event Modern methods of working 23 March Summer 2020 Warren and Lalbuss Woods, Venue TBC Cumbria Topic: Practical management of forestry and wildlife Southwest members event 27 April Barton Farm, Witheridge Topic: Small woodland silviculture, resilience and innovation with a visit to a local arboretum

More info on Confor events at www.confor.org.uk/resources/events

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What excites you most about agreement with Welsh and Scottish taking the reins at Forestry governments about cross-border England? capability and investment in forest I’m excited by the opportunity research. to influence how the more than 250,000 hectares of forests in our Given the enormous climate care can do the best they can for change challenge and the big people and the environment. My roles trees and woods can play forestry career has been influenced in mitigation, is this a time for by the colleagues I have been revolution in Forestry England? privileged to work with, so my role Yes, in the sense that a revolution is gives me a unique position from about ‘a turn around’ or a complete which to support the development change in something. For the last & of future generations for forestry 20 years or so Forestry England QA people. has not been regularly active in creating new woodland and with Mike Seddon, You worked with the Independent expanding the nation’s forests. chief executive Panel on Forestry, how has its That’s changing as we use income report shaped forestry in England? from our trading activities to buy Forestry England At the heart of the Independent land for new productive, accessible Panel on Forestry’s report was the and biodiverse woodlands. We Mike started his career studying forestry urge for society as a whole to value stand ready to play our part woodlands for the full range of alongside private owners, NGOs at Aberdeen University. He then joined the benefits they provide. Since then, and others in the public sector to Forestry Commission as forester working societal, policy and government ramp this woodland creation level in the Exeter and East Devon beat, then drivers have, I think, led to a much up substantially and contribute to moved into grants and regulations work. greater appreciation of this value. government commitments to net A move to the role of head of recreation in This was clear in the manifestos for zero. the New Forest and Dorset was followed the recent Westminster elections and drives Forestry England’s own Forestry England is the second by secondment on forestry policy in Defra, natural capital account. biggest individual supplier of London, supporting Ministers to sponsor But this remains an area where wood in the UK. How do you see the National Forest and working on more action is needed and there that role developing over the next community forestry. are excellent opportunities for 5-10 years? He then spent 12 years as deputy this in the 25-Year Environment 100 years ago, the Forestry Plan and the developing England Commission was formed to create surveyor of the New Forest and South Land Management Scheme. As I a strategic reserve of timber for England Forest Management Director mention in my answer to question the nation. Since then, woodland before being seconded to support the 5, there is a way to go to mobilise cover in England has doubled Bishop of Liverpool and the Independent society to support sustainable as a result of the efforts of the Panel on Forestry (IPF) to create their forest management and create the Forestry Commission and others. recommendations following the 2010 woodland culture envisaged by the So growing and supplying timber Panel. has, and continues to be, at the ‘sell-off row’. Bringing the IPF’s vision into More practically, the Panel heart of what we do. Sustainably being, guiding operational performance was looking for more woods in managed, productive forests are and preparing Forest Enterprise for its management, ready access to the foundation on which £26.1bn metamorphosis into Forestry England woods to provide health benefits of natural capital benefits are have been areas of focus for Mike as Chief for society, woodlands to be part of delivered today from the land a coherent and resilient ecological managed by Forestry England. The Operating Officer, prior to taking up the network at a landscape scale, a nation’s forests are at a mature Forestry England Chief Executive role in stronger supply chain and better stage of production, so we will August 2019. promotion of wood products, continue as one of the biggest and evolution of the Forestry suppliers of wood in the UK. In Commission including cross-border the context of increasing global capability. demand for timber, plus the climate There’s been progress across emergency, it’s foreseeable that all these areas: more woodland long-term carbon sequestration will area is in management, there are further affect the market. forestry investment zone pilots, Remember too, as well as being commitments to expand forests the second biggest individual and create resilient landscapes, supplier of wood in the UK, we are Grown in Britain is established, also England’s largest provider of and the Forestry Commission outdoor recreation, are proud of the governance has changed including excellent conservation work we do

16 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK supporting apprenticeships and trainees, and in telling the story of contemporary forestry. This is a work in progress and there are opportunities to work with others in the industry more closely to have a greater impact.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in a forestry career? Persevere. My school days are a distant memory but I distinctly remember the fi rst career discussion I had with my form teacher Miss Russell when I said I wanted to work in forestry. She was blunt in telling me how hard this would be, but then pointed me towards the O-level choices I’d need to make. The other piece of advice I’d offer is to remain open to job possibilities; contemporary management of forests involves a wide range of roles as my own biog illustrates.

Where do you see Forestry England in 30 years’ time? I’d love Forestry England to be a household name for all the right reasons! And if that’s to be the case then we must connect more people with forests. This means working at the cutting edge of our industry; constantly evolving our offer and the products associated with that; I’d love Forestry working effi ciently with resilient fi nances, and a being a great England to be a employer.

“ household name for PERSONAL INTERESTS

all the right reasons!” Favourite fi lm/ TV show? A fi stful of dollars Favourite music? and business opportunities we offer of species and provenances that Varied but I’m a fan of The Cure to national and local businesses. It’s are fi t for the future climate and Favourite tree? this unique position we hold that end product needs of the country. Douglas fi r gives us so many opportunities In the medium to longer term, I’d Favourite forest walk? to promote forests, forestry and highlight two challenges. Firstly, a Alongside the River Severn in the timber to so many people. likely shortfall in adaptable forestry Hafren forest, mid Wales skills, from practical to managerial. Favourite holiday destination? What do you see as the biggest Secondly, a growing need to tell Switzerland challenges facing forestry in the story of sustainable forest the UK, and how can we best management to get understanding Favourite sport? tackle them? and support from a society that is None – my bucket list includes Short term, and related to readily able to mobilise opposition bobsleigh aspirations to see a much higher to tree felling through social media What are you most likely to be rate of woodland creation, the and other channels. found doing when not working? industry will need a robust, Forestry England is investing Trying to grow things in an biosecure supply of tree seed in improvements to seed supply, allotment and plants, including a diversity modernising nursery production,

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 17 EVENTS

Using biochar to tackle climate change

Biochar information event, 25 April sential nutrients in exchange for carbohy- Say it with Wood, Herefordshire drates. Aly May, partner at SIWW explains,” We are very excited about biochar, many of limate change is one of the greatest our customers care deeply about sustain- challenges of our time, and so Here- ability, and adding biochar as a product is Cfordshire based forestry and timber a logical step. Using charcoal in soil fi rstly The day will cover: company, Say it with Wood, have been ex- locks that carbon away for thousands of • Introduction to Biochar and the many ploring the different solutions British wood- years. It regulates water and nutrients in benefi ts to society, the environment and lands can offer. the soil, but it’s mycorrhizas that do the the importance of soil carbon. One of the best methods for carbon magic. They have a symbiotic relationship • A demonstration of different methods sequestration is using biochar to build soil with plants - as the plants fl ourish from of making biochar. carbon. In celebration of this wonderful easy access to nutrients, so the Mycorrhi- • Demonstrations and talks on material Say it with Wood (SIWW) will be zas use the carbohydrate from the plants different uses of biochar for agricultural, holding a Biochar information event on the to grow underground. Unlike other soil ad- horticultural and domestic situations. 25 April 2020. ditives, it doesn’t break down and the ef- Biochar is biomass heated in the ab- fects get better over time.” ments included. Booking is highly recom- sence of oxygen to make charcoal. When Say it with wood are welcoming anyone mended. For more information about bio- charged with nutrients and used in the soil wishing to learn more to attend the infor- char, or to book a place on the day, please it becomes a perfect habitat for soil mycor- mation day at their Herefordshire premises. email, [email protected] or call rhizal fungi, which provide plants with es- The day will cost £20, food and refresh- 07958345833 Scotland’s Finest Wood Awards open for entries

cotland’s Finest Woods Awards is pils can spend their entire session playing celebrating its 35th anniversary with and learning in the woods. Sa call to tree-lovers to help shine Earthtime and runner-up Levenmouth a light on the country’s most wonderful Academy in Buckhaven, Fife - where pu- woods and fi nest forests. pils have helped to plant 8,000 trees be- Two Farm Woodland Awards return side the school - were presented with their for 2020 - including Scottish Woodlands’ Awards by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Young People (Farm Woodland Award), Sturgeon MSP. won in 2019 by the outstanding Lynn Cas- Other returning Awards are: Community sells and Sandra Baer for Lynbreck Croft, Woodlands (two competitions: small and Grantown on Spey. The overall Farm Wood- large community woodland groups); New land Award was won in 2019 by John Drys- Native Woods; and Quality Timber (three dale and Kieran Kelly for Kilrie Farm, Kirk- competitions: new commercial wood; mul- caldy. ti-purpose forest or whole estate; and a The Crown Estate Schools’ Trophy re- single stand/compartment or small wood) Pupils at Levenmouth Academy, runners turns, won in 2019 by Earthtime Forest Entries must be submitted by 31 March up in the Crown Estate Schools Trophy School Nursery in Duffus, Moray, where pu- 2020. Full details: www.sfwa.co.uk category in last year’s Awards.

Confor forestry dinner and awards 2020 CONFOR WELCOMES 25 February, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh NEW MEMBERS As well as celebrating the UK’s highest annual award to SELLING an individual for Distinguished Service to Forestry - Brandl Jonas, Devon OUT EVENT – Mike Gardner, Devon we are introducing three new awards: BOOK YOUR • Future Forestry Leader Award TICKET Orri Stevens, Devon Lord Roborough, Plymouth • Changing Attitudes Award NOW! Thomas Bartlett, Gwynedd • Innovation and Research Award Oakover Nurseries Ltd, Kent Details and booking on www.confor.org.uk/resources/events

18 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK SWEDISH Q U A LIT Y BECAUSE WE CARE... ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR STAFF. WE CHOOSE THE RIGHT FUEL.

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 19 MEMBER PROFILE

Climbing the forestry ladder

Douglas Mathison (31), founder of young company Agriforest in the Scottish Borders, bridges the gap between arboriculture, forestry and farming. Stef Kaiser learns about a tree surgeon’s reason to choose forestry as a career.

ounded in 2016, Douglas age, plus the job offers little career describes his business as a growth potential. “client-focused timber har- Fvesting & forest manage- Arboriculture vs forestry ment company”. He has managed “For me, the big positive of forestry to bring a people-oriented tree sur- compared to arboriculture is that geon perspective to commercial for- the projects are more complex and estry and targets mainly farmers as interesting. There are more oppor- clients. At present, Douglas employs tunities, more of a career path. It is two regular harvesting contractors, very diverse, covering aspects such two haulage fi rms, and one full time as machinery, environment, plant- member of staff, along with one part ing, haulage, planning, mapping, and time. also dealing with people.” His secret of success is prob- A bigger ladder to climb ably combination of people skills Douglas’ initial choice of career was acquired from his time as a tree sur- arboriculture. “You get to the end geon, and the experience working as of the day and can see what you ve a harvesting manager for Eurofor- done, there is an immediate reward est – the best of both worlds. “A lot to the effort. The money is also quite of forestry contractors want to just good for this area of Scotland and get on their machine in the morning there was plenty of work when I and leave in the evening, but we are started out. “ quite involved with customer service While at Barony College, he got and engagement. We are good with a job working for a forestry contrac- people. We understand that people tor who mainly did Scottish Power want to know about operations that line clearances. He was able to use are happening in their area, so we his new tree surgeon skills but also make the effort to speak to them The irony is: There is a limited got a fi rst taste of commercial for- personally, whether this is next door ladder“ to climb in arboriculture. estry. He worked his way up to fore- neighbours, or farms further down You climb up to the top of the tree man level and then decided to en- the road. It’s good manners and has and you climb back down again at roll in a three-year SRUC course in even brought us business!” Rural Business Management while the end of the day. In forestry, you continuing to work part-time. Upon Working with farmers can keep climbing. graduating in 2011, he worked as a “During my time at Euroforest, it tree surgeon for a while but then got started with friends or my own cli- a large harvesting company. They a job as contracts supervisor at Eu- ents mentioning their farm wood- trusted me as a peer and small busi- roforest. By the time he left to start lands to me and asking for informal ness, rather than a large corporation, his own business, he had progressed advice. Typical perceptions would to deal with their woodlands.” I think to area manager. be ‘I have this woodland and don’t many clients appreciate the fact that “Career opportunities were a think it’s worth doing anything with we’ve got real practical hands on ex- key motivation for me to go into it’; ‘There isn’t probably any money perience too, and not just manage- forestry.” It had been in the back of to be made from it’; ‘It is diffi cult to rial. his mind that tree surgery wasn’t re- access”. However, they would ask Since these initial requests, ally a future proof job; tree surgeons me to assess their woodland any- Douglas has assessed many farm start to feel the effects of physi- way, because I was now the ‘local woodlands and trees, trying to think cal work on the body at a young guy’ with experience working for outside the box to fi nd solutions

20 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK there was a substantial return from trees so he is now putting the money back into the farm.” Douglas says that he gets the feeling that farmers are waiting to Climbing the forestry ladder see what happens with grants for planting trees on farms. “At the moment, farmers would still rather spend the money in in- vestments that fi t in with their more short-term orientated business model. Managing existing woodlands is of more interest to them. They can get a bit of a return from the timber to pay for farm improvements. However, my clients are often disappointed when I tell them the little money they will make from thinning on a small scale. But again, it’s the long-term benefi ts they are struggling to consider, as it won’t necessarily affect them. What we try to do is to suggest a plan where we have an area of clearfell to generate income and an area that generates less income but where woodland improvements can be made.“ Douglas believes that if the forestry sector wants to tap into the great opportunity that comes from farm forestry, it has to downscale its approach to operations and be willing to work at a smaller scale. “It is realistic and worth targeting 10-hectare farm woodlands or less, they will add up to several hundreds within one area over time if enough land owners decide this is the approach they want to take”

that work for his farmer clients, de- site ended up yielding 2400 tons Market access for small-scale spite the small scale of operations of timber, including a signifi cant operations and the management objectives amount of sawlogs and lots of chip- Marketing small quantities of timber atypical for forestry. wood to be sold at a good price. In is a challenge. Agriforest has built To give an example, last year, seven weeks, the site was complet- strong relationships with many of the while engaged in a small harvested including all haulage of timber sawmills in the area – James Jones, ing job, Agriforest got approached to markets which involved work- Forest Garden, AW Jenkinson, and by the owner of a neighbouring ing around awkward phone and Bedmax to name but a few– who are farm. The land owner men- power lines. “The client got his happy to accept smaller quantities tioned he had two hectares of money quickly and will now now, due to the consistency of sup- spruce windblow amongst his be draining the site, mound- ply from Agriforest. shelter belts, over a total area ing it all, fencing it and re- “Initially, there were a few that of 5.5 hectares. The trees on the planting it. We will look af- didn’t want to accept small timber farm had never been managed ter that aspect of the work parcels because of the unpropor- in 55 years and the site was too, although he is doing tionally large amount of paperwork. needing clear felled, drained, to the fencing himself. The fi rst two jobs were diffi cult to and replanted. The main objec- He was keen to get the sell, although local markets ended tive of the farmer was to tidy up shelterbelts established up taking most of the material. I the area, and also for safety rea- again quite quickly for have since built up good relation- sons given the close proximity of livestock and drainage. ships with customers who I deliver a public road. When Douglas gave The farm itself is not to throughout the year, from small him an estimate of the value of the very productive (cat- family sawmills all the way up to timber, he was genu- tle and sheep) but he larger fi rms.” inely surprised. The was pleased that www.agriforest.co.uk

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 21 FOREST MANAGEMENT & DIVERSIFICATION

Innovating from seed to timber supply

Jonas Brandl and forest types within the estate. A re- Decision Support System provided view of land use led to a more holis- by the Forestry Commission. A fur- Jez Ralph on new tic approach with the idea of break- ther 90 species chosen across a approaches at the ing down the boundaries between broad latitude range that is thought Dartington Hall Estate uses. Within the traditional high- to equate to future UK climates. forest, like many lowland estates, we Species were investigated for their move towards a system of continu- silvicultural performance, disease artington Hall Estate has ous cover that diversifies age-class- threats, and other ecological attrib- a long reputation for es and light levels and enhances soil utes. Potential timber properties, good silvicultural prac- health. Agroforestry has been imple- end uses and benefit to biodiversity Dtice and an innovative at- mented extensively. These systems and broader ecosystem functions titude towards new planting dating place forestry and agriculture into a were then added to each species back over 100 years. In times of un- single system. They can be seen as profile. precedented changes in climate and trees in fields or crops in woodlands, From this assessment, a subjec- an increase in tree diseases, Darting- when managed well, increase the tive opinion based on local knowl- ton Hall is taking another progres- resilience of agro-ecological land- edge of the site and the estate ob- sive step towards promoting forest use systems through increasing soil jectives was needed to prioritise resilience tree species diversity and health, ameliorating micro-climates species selection. This mix of objec- new dynamic supply-chains for tim- and providing diversified products tive and subjective, scientifically as- ber. Jointly with Timber Strategies from the same piece of land. sessed and opinion-based decision and Sawmills Devon, the Dartington making is an interesting and signifi- Hall Trust is exploring an extensive Future species testing cant move in itself, mixing modern change in its forestry practice. To deliver the merged forestry ob- data orientated forestry with a re- In 1925, a unique experiment jectives of creating an ecologically turn to craft-based forestry. at Dartington was started that is resilient forest that is adapted to From 150 possible species it be- Clockwise grounded on an interdisciplinary predicted changes in climate and came obvious that only some pri- from above: understanding of the rural devel- producing quality timber, an in- oritised species can be classed as mixed conifer opment. Dartington has been de- depth evaluation of the current and ‘novel’ with many well-known, well broadleaf signed to bring together agriculture, possible future species composition loved, traditional species being high CCF (picture forestry, ecology, learning, the arts at Dartington was produced. The priorities for future tree cover on the Jonas Brandl); and enterprise in a holistic system. suitability of 47 species currently estate. The species analysis identi- crytomeria Forestry was taught and practised found at Dartington were tested fied among others the following trial planting under the leadership of Wilfred Hi- under possible future climate using future tree species at Dartington: (picture Jonas ley (1886-1961), an expert in Forestry the Ecological Site Classification Black pine, Black walnut, Coastal Brandl); tulip Economics from Oxford University. redwoods, Common alder, Common tree; felled At the time, an economically driven walnut, Cryptomeria, Hornbeam, redwood. modernist approach was favoured Italian alder, Large-leaved lime, Law- that included purchasing extensive son cypress, Maritime pine, Oriental holdings and undertaking coniferi- spruce, Paulownia, Red oak, Robinia, zation. This was matched by the in- Serbian spruce, Tulip tree, Western troduction of a number of sawmills red cedar, Wild service tree, Wild across the estate holding and an es- cherry. tate owned joinery producing exterior and interior furniture. Forest products: adding Today, the paradigm has shifted value close to source to a more resilient ecologically ori- The final stage is to look at the sup- entated approach within the core ply chain of forest products and at estate. How should the estate’s for- how value can be added as close to ests adapt to changing climate and the source as possible. This has con- changing socio-economic models? centrated on timber, initially, with a How can the estate innovate whilst redevelopment of the old sawmill also spreading risk and increasing The Nest collaboration between site on the estate. Rather than the es- climate and economic resilience? Woodland Presnets and WOCo tate moving back into primary pro- The first stage has been to look at (picture Jonas Brandl) cessing or taking the risk of starting

22 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK a joinery business, the decision was whilst its silviculture can be difficult, Jonas Brandl is working with three to start leasing out Woodlands Yard it is likely to enter new planting mixes innovative Devon businesses: Timber in a curated way that led to a group as a small component of tree grow- Strategies, The Dartington Hall Trust of businesses involved in the supplying on the estate. and Sawmills Devon. A holder of the chain. In this way, the estate could Patsy Wood Scholarship, his main inde-risk itself whilst also promoting Setting the tone for terest lies in silviculture, agroforestry timber development. Woodlands innovative management and supply chain development. Yard is now home to EarthWrights, Experimental sites, such as Darting- producing playground equipment; ton, are a very slow way of innovat- Woodland Presents involved in for- ing in silviculture and supply-chains. est/timber education and diversi- In the future, we see developments INNOVATION IN DEVON fied, modern, in-forest events, and in collaborative trialling of spe- Workshop Collaborative, a designer- cies and genetic research as cru- Timber Strategies is a young business working within maker architecture practice. In the cial. Working with the Future Trees the timber supply-chain from wood to end-use. future, the development of the site Trust and Silvifuture is opening our This includes research & development on behalf of could lead to office space for forest eyes to possibilities. Linking forestry sawmills, timber quality work for forest owners and agents, specialist timber designers & and supply chains can be enhanced higher-level policy/landscape-level forestry. engineers and exhibition space. through a more digital approach to http://timberstrategies.com The production of outdoor equip- inventory whilst we would like to see Sawmills Devon specializes in the management of ment by one of the tenants shows Woodland Yard embrace digitally traditional small Devon estates who have an interest exactly the issues and opportunities enabled manufacturing. in re-invigorating their forestry. This includes a focus Dartington is innovating in. Tradition- What is key to current and future on inventory and silvicultural prescriptions aimed at ally, roundwood Larch was used as innovation at Dartington is that it is the production of high-quality timber. it is durable and grew on the estate embedded in the working of the es- http://sawmillsdevon.co.uk and locally. Problems with supply tate; the estate land-use, the estate Dartington Hall is an estate in South Devon with post-phytophera and problems with finances and the estate’s broader a history of social, economic, land-use and arts sapwood durability led to a move to picture. Whilst collaborating with experimentation aimed at evolving the rural- imported Robinia. Robinia, however, purely academic projects it aims to development agenda in the UK. features on the list of species highly demonstrate real change on a work- http://dartington.org likely to grow well at Dartington and ing estate.

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24 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK FOREST MANAGEMENT & DIVERSIFICATION

Rethinking the opportunities from agroforestry and farm woodlands

Clive Thomas grated approach, to delivering both ry sector is engaged or not, there will public and farm-level benefits from be more farmers planting trees, and tree planting. in some cases, wanting to achieve as anyone else noticed Indeed, the interest in any ses- Whether farm-level benefits, alongside any how agroforestry seems sion that contained even the most “ public funding that is offered. And to now be firmly on the oblique reference to trees at the the irrespective of the individual moti- Hagenda? Everyone from Oxford Real Farming Conference in forestry vation for tree planting, it is essential politicians to my children all seem January 2020, would suggest that sector is that farmers get good advice to en- to agree that we need to plant more the farming audience is increasingly sure that any planting achieves the trees for the sake of the planet. getting on board and is interested. engaged intended objectives. Cost-effective Certainly, that is our experience We also know that colleagues in or not, and good quality implementation of in the Soil Association over the last government, whether in Westmin- the advice, to ensure that any tree few years, particularly since partner- ster, Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast, there will planting project is professionally ing with the Woodland Trust and are seeing a farmer-led revolution be more managed, will also be required. And Royal Forestry Society to convene in tree planting as a ‘must have’, to farmers whichever government institution an Agroforestry conference in 2017, achieve even the most modest of leads on administering any public and more recently with the Farm climate change and biodiversity tar- planting incentives, professional support to Woodland Forum, to publish the gets. trees farmers will be required, to help de- Agroforestry Handbook in Septem- risk these transactions. ber 2019. This publication is now the How can the forestry sector In many ways this is bread and most downloaded ‘book’ in the Soil advise farmers? butter activity for the forestry sec- Association’s near 75-year history. The question is, what does this tor, but we still need to think about Combined with the free hardcopies means for the forestry sector? Or to the breadth and scope of our ad- that have been issued, more than phrase this question in another way, vice. I’m sure many of us as forest- 5000 people have hopefully learnt what do we want it to mean? My as- ers, feel very confident to advise on more about the benefits of an inte- sessment is that whether the forest- site-based tree species selection. >>

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 25 FOREST MANAGEMENT & DIVERSIFICATION

>> But there are other aspects to con- Reassessing the forestry need to successfully argue that pub- sider; for example if a farmer is also service model lic money is not just targeted at tree interested in the optimum planting And as we address these questions, planting grants. If we are serious layout, to best support grass or crop we can take confi dence from what about the long-term benefi ts from production, or when the objective we have already achieved as a sec- more trees in the farmed landscape, is to establish robust tree protec- tor in relatively recent times. We then we will have to support supply tion in an alley system, that supports have been very adept at developing chain and market development, as mob-grazing in the medium-term, a service model for the larger-scale well as capital grants for the initial or when the farmer wants to achieve conifer plantings in the 20th cen- tree planting. fruit and fi bre production from their tury and we now have an effi cient agroforestry system. So maybe not and professional approach, largely Seeing things from a so bread & butter after all, and I meeting these requirements. This farmer’s perspective would argue that as a sector we do service model has developed on The key factor in all of this is to see The key need to develop our capability to the back of the resource that has these issues through a farmer’s eyes, “ factor... make the most of these advisory grown and now is the time to turn and not just from the forestry per- opportunities and to respond ef- our attention and energy in a more spective. After all, there is already is to see fectively to increased interest in tree concerted way to the on-farm tree a sizeable farm woodland resource these issues planting as agroforestry. resource. Of course, there are many that has consistently underper- challenges involved in managing formed for both farmers and wider through a Markets and services for this resource, not least scale, qual- society in terms of public benefi ts farmer’s emerging small-scale ity and access. Many of these chal- and throughout my career, we have eyes, and farm forestry lenges, however, are partly based on collectively bemoaned the lack of in- We also need to think about the perceptions and under-recognition tegration between farming and for- not just other end of the ‘tree cycle’. For ex- of the different but equal challenges estry in the UK. But I would contend from the ample, who will make the most of that were overcome in managing the that, more often than not, this has forestry the opportunities that arise from the conifer resource. Steep ground, har- been quite one-sided, with forest- market benefi ts of all this tree plant- vesting access and poorly drained ers complaining about the diffi culty perspective ing; whether established as agro- soils were all technical challenges of accessing land for new planting. forestry systems, in which the trees that were once perceived as barriers What we have usually wanted, is for are intended as a product, or as new to harvesting the large-scale upland farmers to stop farming and for the farm woodlands. If we are honest plantings in the UK. Through tech- land to be made available for forest- with ourselves as a sector, this is per- nological innovation and the inge- ry. I’m sure this tenure change model haps the area that we (with a few no- nuity of many these challenges have will continue and may even need to table exceptions) are least confi dent. largely been solved. scale up to achieve ambitious UK Some of the many questions left woodland cover targets and sup- to answer include: have we really Collaborative models to plies of industrial roundwood for found a model that offers a small- create economies of scale UK processing. But alongside that scale service to farmers who want So, for the on-farm tree resource, it we are also going to see a farmer- to harvest low volumes of timber would be interesting to see how far led tree planting revolution and we from either small woodland areas we could get with collaborative or should fi rmly welcome this and see or even individual trees that may be group approaches to deal with scale, the opportunities that could arise. more the model in an agroforestry where instead of each farm being Not just for the farmers but also for system? And are there new services the unit of management, groups of those foresters who are prepared to that need to be developed to help farms in a landscape became the develop their thinking, learn some farmers to realise on-farm substitu- unit. We also need to investigate new capabilities and reimagine tion or processing activity? For ex- how many of the farm machinery themselves as ‘farm foresters’, help- ample, machinery pooling and day adaptations that are required, are ing to achieve farm enterprise ob- contracting, to thin out trees for on- already available. This would go a jectives. farm fencing requirements. Or day long way in reducing the need for Are we up for the challenge? contracting of chippers (and opera- too much access infrastructure be- tors) to chip thinnings or residues yond what most farms already have. Clive Thomas FICFor, is senior from grown-out hedges or other And we should clearly be re-think- policy advisor for forestry, Soil low value farm biomass, for on-farm ing quality expectations from trees Association. use as woodchip for animal bed- in farm woodlands and agroforestry ding, mulch around newly planted systems, if woodchip for bedding or www.soilassociation.org trees or for wood energy. There are durable (based on species) fencing examples of these types of service materials are the intended products. models from western and northern I’m certainly not suggesting that an RESOURCE Europe, as well as some I’m sure op- agroforestry and farm woodland erating below the radar in the UK economy can be achieved, without To download your copy of the already. We should build on these support and incentives. After all, it’s Agroforestry Handbook search and be honest about the support we not like the innovation to realise the for “Agroforestry Handbook might need as a sector to develop conifer resource hasn’t received any Soil Association”. viable models for all. public funding. As a sector, we will

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28 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK INDUSTRY FUNDING

How the potato sector beneﬁ ts from ‘funding from within’

As part of a series of case studies consider turnover, rather than returns from on industry funding, we look at sales or hectares owned, as return would the way the British potato sector be very volatile and they would both potentially exclude many players in the funds its growth and innovation industry? from within. & You might be able to give people The ‘potato levy’ is one of Q the option as to whether they want to A support research or marketing with their six sector levies collected and invested by the Agriculture and with Sophie Churchill, Chair contribution. Horticulture Development Board of the Potato Sector Board How is the potato industry involved in the (AHDB). According to AHDB’s How are the levy levels determined in the levy governance? latest vision statement, the strate- potato sector and would this work for The levies are all compulsory and gic priorities for the levies are: forestry as well? the industry awaits the outcome of Inspiring British farming and The amount of levy is laid out in statute the government review which may • and changes have to pass through recommend a periodic ballot. growing to be more competitive legislation. All the sectors of AHDB have Each levy has a Board, in the case of and resilient an inheritance about how their levy is potatoes representing the different parts • Accelerating innovation calculated and collected, so potatoes has of the industry. It has an independent and productivity growth its own history. In the case of potatoes, it is Chair, which is a ministerial appointment done on the basis of hectares planted, not across the devolved authorities. The rest through coordinated research tonnage or turnover. of the board appointments are done by and development (R&D) and In forestry, if you wanted buy-in from the Chair and AHDB. knowledge exchange (KE) across the industry you might need to The Potato Board’s role, formally, is to >> • Helping the industry understand and deliver what consumers will According to the AHDB Strategy 2017-20, AHDB trust and buy Potatoes levy income will be allocated as follows: • Delivering thought leadership and horizong scanning Research (31%) KE/Skills (15%) The Potato Data Centre features Market development (12%) information gathered from a stratifi ed Export development (4%) sample of over 400 growers from the Potatoes Supply chain integration (1%) 2019/2020 annual AHDB Potatoes Grower Panel Levy payer communications (7%) budget Survey. Plus data from weekly market Digital (1%) information contacts and national Market intelligence (11%) planting return data. Levy payers can Sector specifi c admin (8%) access the Potato Data Centre. Support (10%)

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 29 INDUSTRY FUNDING

>> agree the strategy and allocation of funds. AHDB levy rates for 2019/20 (no change from previous year) AHDB levy rates for 2019/20 (no change from previous year) In practice, it is more involved than that

in how the programme is delivered and in Levy rates Levy rates Higher rate for Sector being a focus for an industry that doesn’t 2018/19 2019/20 late payment have many bodies operating across fresh Beef and Lamb (England) and processed. Cattle (excluding calves) £ per head £ per head £ per head In the case of forestry, there are of Producer 4.05 4.05 4.05 course a large number of different bodies Slaughterer/exporter of live cattle 1.35 1.35 1.35 for different parts of the industry. Given Calves £ per head £ per head £ per head that fund contributions would be voluntary, Producer 0.08 0.08 0.08 I assume that governance could be less Slaughterer/exporter of live calves 0.08 0.08 0.08 onerous. Sheep £ per head £ per head £ per head Producer 0.60 0.60 0.60 How are the benefi ts of the levy Slaughterer/exporter of live sheep 0.20 0.20 0.20 communicated to contributors? Pigs (England) £ per head £ per head £ per head The AHDB frequently updates levy payers Producer 0.85 0.85 0.935 on highlighted use of the collected funds. Slaughterer/exporter of live pigs 0.20 0.20 0.22 Highlighted examples of the fund uses in Milk (GB) Pence per litre Pence per litre Pence per litre April communicated in April 2019 are: Buyers and direct sellers of milk 0.060 0.060 0.066 • Strategic Potato Farms: an initiative for Cereals and oilseeds (UK) Pence per tonne Pence per tonne Pence per tonne farmers to share ideas with each other Cereal grower 46.00 46.00 50.60 and researchers in a commercial farm environment Cereal buyer 3.80 3.80 4.18 Cereal processor (human and • Sprout suppression and storage advice 9.50 9.50 10.45 industrial) (£800,000 ring-fenced fund) Cereal processor (feed) 4.60 4.60 5.06 • Disease intelligence and crop protection Oilseeds 75.00 75.00 82.50 - regular updates and practical advice Horticulture (GB) % sales turnover % sales turnover % sales turnover • Marketing: PR campaign promoting Horticulture products 0.50 0.50 0.55 potato consumption Mushroom spawn Pence per litre Pence per litre Pence per litre • Potato Data Centre: easy-access login Agaricus 8.0 8.0 8.8 protected site for price data • Farmbench: easy-to-use benchmakring Non-agaricus 2.0 2.0 2.2 tool for farmers Potatoes (GB) £42.62 per £42.62 per £46.882 per • Brexit: up-to-minute reports on how Potato growers hectare hectare hectare Brexit might affect GB agriculture Purchasers of potatoes £0.1858 per tonne £0.1858 per tonne £0.2044 per tonne • Exports: maintaining existing markets and creating new ones. We tend to get divergence between • Marketing campaigns that may There are a range of views. I don’t think January 2019 people wanting marketing and people have staved off a bit of the decline in contributors will ever be fully convinced wanting research, with some wanting a fresh potato consumption (but this is and the task will get harder as the industry balance. debatable). consolidates and more players do their • A parallel with forestry is the threat own research and development. How are funds allocated and monitored? from imports and I don’t think AHDB has Via the Board. There have been a few much reduced this. How would a similar fund work in open Board meetings recently but forestry? What are the major differences mostly it’s through attempting to have How did the agricultural fund start – between the potato and the forestry a representative board with a good mix what were the challenges in particular sector that would need to be considered of skills. A structured business planning around industry buy-in? and what solutions would you suggest? environment ensures that funds are used It was inherited from the various industry In some ways it would be easier as it ethically and fairly. promotional bodies. Because legally, would be voluntary but there would be after WW2 I think, they did not need parallel issues about whether it is research, Are priorities for allocation of funds to have buy-in as such. The fi ve AHDB marketing or other things which are critical reviewed regularly? levy bodies were reviewed in 2005 – the and not otherwise being covered by public Yes, annually and sometimes mid-year, and document can can be found online and sector or the market. for every fi ve-year strategy period. is an interesting reading regarding the Having an independent authoritative justifi cation, or not, of having levy boards, ‘bible’ of key industry issues that are high What have been the main benefi ts for the and of bringing them into one body. risk and aren’t being adequately dealt with, sector arising from the levy? [To read the report, search for Review of as a starter for the spend, would be critical. • Stewardship of some chemicals so the Agricultural and Horticultural Levy A voluntary forestry fund would require they weren’t withdrawn. This is now Bodies.] less investment for the collection of the morphing into the sector being a leader on fund. The process at AHDB is very tedious sustainable practice. Are contributors convinced that the due to it being a legal obligation and the • Independent, objective fi eld trials and fund supports their industry? Was it just amount needing returns on hectarage, in demos, at a range of sites round the country. a matter of getting used to it? the case of potatoes.

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32 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK RESTOCKING

Forestry and Land Scotland’s approach to restocking

Jo Ellis, Head Table 1: Felling and restocking from 2013 to 2019

of Planning & Net area (ha) Avg. 2013-17 Avg. 2014-18 Avg. 2015-19

Environment, Forest Sitka spruce 4,440 4,490 4,320 58% and Land Scotland Other conifers 3,300 3,230 2,990 41% Broadleaves 60 60 70 1% FELLING n our draft Corporate Plan for Total 7,830 7,780 7,380 100% Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), we declared that our mis- Sitka spruce 2,860 2,950 3,000 38% Ision is to “to look after Scotland’s Other conifers 1,900 1,940 1,920 25% forests and land, for the benefit of Awating nat regen 690 790 800 10% all, now and for the future”. This in- Broadleaves 930 980 1,040 13% cludes commitments to provide a sustainable supply of timber, imple- Converted to open 650 650 650 8% ment the 2017 Restocking Strategy RESTOCKING Awaiting replanting 800 470 -30* 5% and ensure a sustainable balance Total 7,830 7,780 7,380 100% between resilience and productivity. This article gives an overview of the *The “-30” in the Awaiting Planting row under Restocking data reflects a small reduction in the “land bank” as increases in restocking programmes begin to have effect. current position on restocking on the national forests and land. Figure 1 Figure 1 - restocking Figure 1: Felling and restocking from 2013 to 2019 Current position In the Restocking Strategy we out- Net felling Net restocking lined a wide range of measures to 9,000 9,000 monitor restocking and, in response to the requirements of the latest edi- 8,000 tion of the UKWAS, have developed 8,000 a reporting approach that sum- 7,000 marises what we are doing more 7,000 clearly. This is illustrated in Table 1 6,000 and Figure 1 which present the data1 6,000 for felling and restocking by Forest Enterprise Scotland (now FLS) over 5,000

5,000 ) a the last three ‘rolling’ five-year peri- ) h a (

( 4,000 a

e ods: 2013-17, 2014-18 and 2015-19. a r e A r

Presenting the data as five-year A 4,000 averages reduces the ‘noise’ associ- 3,000 ated with annual variations in pro- 3,000 grammes and, as the time series is 2,000 developed, will enable us to monitor 2,000 the overall outcome from our re- 1,000 stocking activities. 1,000 0 Categories in Figure 1 describe: Avg. 2013-17 Avg. 2014-18 Avg. 2015-19 • the main types of species felled or planted (Sitka spruce, other 0 -1,000 Avg. 2013-17 Avg. 2014-18 Avg. 2015-19 conifer or broadleaves); Awaiting replanting Sitka spruce areas where we anticipate Felling Sitka spruce Felling Other conifers Other conifers Awaiting nat regen • Felling Broadleaves Broadleaves Converted to open natural regeneration will take place and are monitoring; Species felled – the proportion of flects the fact that we are removing • areas that have been restored Sitka spruce (58%) felled is broadly trees because of disease, ie Dothis- from forest to open habitats similar to the current overall forest troma septosporum on lodgepole such as peatland; inventory of 56%. The higher levels pine and Phytophthora ramorum on • changes to the area awaiting of other conifers felled (42%, com- larch. These areas will be replanted replanting. pared to 32% in the inventory) re- with other conifers, broadleaves or >>

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34 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK RESTOCKING

Figure 2: Second rotation Sitka Figure 3: Naturally regenerated Figure 6: Felling of lodgepole spruce crop birch stand pine on deep peat

>> Sitka spruce depending on site suit- 4) in the southwestern and eastern ability and location. parts of the country, as well as other Species planted (see Figures 2 areas of conifer and/or broadleaved and 3) – of the trees that we plant, regeneration (mainly native spe- over four fifths are conifers but there cies) which we will be managing is an increasing proportion of broad- for timber production (see Figure leaves, which reflects the commit- 5). In other areas we are manag- ments in our Restocking Strategy to ing naturally regenerating native maintaining timber productivity for broadleaves to stabilise steep slopes the long term, while diversifying in above key transport routes; to restore ancient woodland sites; and to Figure 7: Peat area under produce hardwood timber and fire- restoration wood (see Fig 3). The area that is being converted Figure 8: How the forest will evolve to open land reflects that we are over successive rotations still in the era when we are moving We are still in the era away from the blanket afforestation Felling at Establishing Third rotation: Fourth and end of first second smaller area of subsequent when we are moving of the post war era, and incorporat- rotation: UKFS rotation: open UKFS compliant rotations: “ requirements habitats being forest, open ongoing ing open space to meet Scottish unlikely to have restored; habitats already sustainable away from the Government land use policies and been met when more diverse restored forest modern sustainable forestry stand- the stand was establishment management blanket afforestation ards. Much of this conversion is the planted methods used; plantations of the post-war era, restoration of areas of peatland (see brought up to Figures 6 and 7) - areas that, if they UKFS standards and incorporating were bare land today, would not be afforested. Area felled Area replanted Area replanted Area replanted open space to meet UKFS or naturally or naturally This reduced area of forest over standards regenerated regenerated time (see Figure 8) will be offset by line with the principles of sustaina- our woodland creation (currently ble forestry and expanding the area averaging over 700ha each year)

of broadleaves (currently, broad- and the increased productivity of Area stocked leaves make up only 8% of the na- improved planting stock, most no- by natural regeneration tional forests and land in Scotland). tably Sitka spruce. Second rotation Converted to The areas awaiting natural re- stands of Sitka spruce are consist- open habitats generation will develop into a range ently growing at much faster rates, of future forest types. We currently many achieving over Yield Class 30. have significant areas of prolific Sit- We are confident that we can main- at least three million cubic metres ka spruce regeneration (see Figure tain our commitment to marketing of softwood timber each year. This will be confirmed in more detail in the upcoming update of our timber availability forecast, which is due to be published in 2020. The area awaiting replanting re- lates to sites that have been felled but haven’t yet been planted. We currently have around 37,916ha awaiting restocking. This area expanded to its current size over the past ten years as we introduced Figure 4: Dense natural Figure 5: Regeneration of management strategies, such as regeneration of Sitka spruce mixed species waiting for up to five years to al- >>

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 35 RESTOCKING

>> low Hylobius beetle numbers to this pressure comes from growing ment plan objectives and where drop before we restock, to avoid demand on resources as a conse- site conditions are suitable. damage to the planted trees. We quence of the heartening increase in Restocking is one of our most know, however, that the sooner we woodland creation in Scotland and significant expenditure programmes restock, the more quickly we cap- the ongoing rise in the overall felling (£16m in FY 2018/19 and £20m ture carbon, grow timber and im- and restocking programme for the planned for FY 2019/20) and this prove the appearance of felled sites. forestry sector as a whole. investment is vital to sustain timber Rapid restocking can also minimise production, and the range of other weed growth (and hence herbicide Going forward benefits that our national forests use), loss of nutrients, reduce risk of The commitments made in the Re- and land provide. sedimentation and provides more stocking Strategy carry forward into options to improve forest structure the new Agency, including: and resilience. However, while we • We will always restock after are seeking to minimise the delay in felling, unless there are over- restocking, fallow periods of up to riding environmental, landscaping five years will continue to be used in or legal reasons not to. REFERENCE areas where they have been shown • We will restock as quickly to work. as possible after felling, unless 1: These figures are based on detailed The commitment in the Re- site conditions or management analysis of our spatial (GIS) data and stocking Strategy is to reduce the objectives dictate otherwise. are all net figures. We have used this amount of land awaiting replanting • We will use restocking to help methodology for transparency, to avoid over time and, as outlined in Table improve productivity, and the the complications inherent in comparing total felling areas (which, as well as the 1 and Figure 1, this has started. This resilience of the estate to trees, include roads, rides, small open reduction is planned to continue climatic changes and tree health spaces etc.) and the gross restocking in the coming years, although the impacts. figures reported in National Statistics rate will be affected by factors such • We will use natural regeneration (which take the net replanting areas as plant supply, labour availabil- to restock sites where this and add a standard 15% adjustment to ityForTimNews-1218-hlf-TMC and weather conditions. Part 26/11/18 of would12:46 meet Page the 1 land manage- account for un-replantable open areas).

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36 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK FUNDING

Innovating to grow your What is Innovation? “An innovation is the implementation of a new or business and the sector signiﬁ cantly improved product (good or service), or process, Amanda Bryan Innovative innovation funding a new marketing method, or a The UK wide opportunities include funds that new organisational method in Inverness College, UHI are made available from the UK government business practices, workplace through Innovate UK. These include Innova- organisation or external he modern forestry sector can describe tion Vouchers, Advanced Innovation Vouch- relations.” Oslo Manual, 3rd itself as forward-looking and high-tech, ers and the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Edition, OECD, 2015 Tand our timber processing businesses Scheme, described in more detail in Box 2. In- Innovation doesn’t have to be are often at the forefront of what would be con- novation Vouchers can be pooled, so if several earth shattering; it could involve sidered advanced manufacturing. It is recog- businesses are facing a similar challenge they small changes and it need not nised that innovation is strongly linked to eco- can combine their funding to commission a necessarily be an entirely new nomic growth and in the UK it is predicted that larger piece of work from which they would idea just something that is new in the long term, 70% of our economic growth share the results. It is also possible for KTPs to to you. is linked to innovation. Why then do so few of focus on a sector or shared problem not just our businesses promote and recognise the im- one relating to an individual business as some- Funding mechanisms portance of research and innovation and invest times the issues could be a structural one – Innovation Voucher: This so little in it. Perhaps we have been spoiled as a for example in the forestry sector sometimes funding is to encourage fi rst-time sector by having the Forestry Commission and we struggle to fi nd solutions to problems if partnerships between a company Forest Research which has responded to indus- they cut across landowners, contractors, for- or further education college. The try needs as a whole through their Science and estry managers and timber processors. These focus could be on a product/ Innovation Strategy which involves consider- schemes seem to offer something for every- process/service or pn something able industry consultation. However, as govern- one and the success rate is high with 85% of related to the workforce. The ment resources continue to tighten and as the applications for KTPs being awarded. value of the voucher is between private forestry sector continues to grow and £1000 and £5000 which covers make up a larger proportion of the sector now the academic costs and is is the time to take a fresh look at our approach paid directly to the university. and ensure that the sector continues to grow The company contribution is and respond to both existing and new chal- CASE STUDY equivalent but could be either lenges with creativity. Tilhill Forestry is working with the cash or in-kind (staff time, In November 2019, at the Scottish School University of the Highlands and Islands materials or equipment) of Forestry in Inverness around 35 representa- (UHI) on a project called Trees to tives from across the forestry sector and re- Timber Mill (TTM). This is a digital Advanced Innovation Voucher: search and innovation networks came to- end-to-end logistics solution which This funding is worth up to gether to discuss the range of funds that are aims to reduce supply chain costs and £20,000 and is aimed at available to businesses, the challenges facing increase effi ciencies. The focus is on the building ‘sustained’ relationships the sector and how businesses and research- optimisation of conversion of the standing between SMEs and universities ers can collaborate. There were presentations crop to logs through focusing on the who may or may not have from Stuart Goodall (Confor), Bob Stubbs harvesting operations using data from collaborated before. Again there (Scottish Forestry Trust), Steven Hutcheon harvester heads. It is great to see Tilhill is a requirement for a company (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), Ian Hey- taking this step. These funds are available contribution and this has a wood (Knowledge transfer Network), Carol- to all businesses and ourselves at UHI, minimum cash element applied Ann Adams (interface) and Euan Bowditch along with researchers at Forest Research on a sliding scale dependant on (inverness College UHI). While the focus of and the many other Universities (not only the overall project size. discussion may have been focused around ac- those with forestry expertise) could be Knowledge Transfer Partnership: tivity in Scotland the issues and the funding available to collaborate with the sector to A KTP is a partnership between support available would be equally applicable help it innovate and grow. a UK business or not-for-profi t anywhere in the UK. organisation, an academic institution and a suitably qualifi ed graduate. It is designed around a project which will address an identifi ed business need or market opportunity which will help the organisation to innovate and grow. In Scotland projects are worth approx. £200,000 on average and they last between 12 and 36 months in duration.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 37 YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH

Plant health: a seed supplier’s perspective

Dave Richardson, of trade . . . In addition, trees are fac- at the challenges our forest species Forestart Ltd ing other pressures from changes to have faced in the past they have our climate. Therefore, the Govern- been characterized by the shock s seed is at the very start ment believes we should build the of the unexpected infiltration of of many supply chains it resilience of our tree population to pests or diseases. We know that in is essential that we get all minimise the impact of pests and the future we will face further chal- Aaspects of supply right diseases”. lenges but we have no idea of what from sourcing the seed through to In relation to building resilience they will be. These are the ‘known dispatch to our customers. they state that: unknowns’; we know that unknown Seed is generally considered to • The use of healthy planting stock disease challenges will occur, driven be low risk from a disease point of is critical to the biosecurity and by continuing globalisation of trade view and we comply with all govern- resilience of our tree population of goods and movement of people. ment regulations and legislation to • Diversity in tree supply and ge- Diversity and resilience are two ensure that the risk of disease enter- netics within tree species is at the of our best weapons to tackle the ing and moving round the UK is min- core of woodland adaptation increased risks that the modern imised. This includes having seed This view is backed up by state- generation of foresters face. Exist- from outside the EU phytosanitary ments in the OECD Forest Seed ing regulations provide an initial tested, being inspected to enable us and Plant Scheme such as: “empha- framework that we need to follow, to issue Plant Passports and notify- sis should be made on preserving for example the EU FRM (Forest ing DEFRA before we import spe- species diversity and ensuring that Reproductive Material) regulations cies such as Quercus, Pinus and Pru- height genetic diversity within spe- state that seed collections should nus from elsewhere in the EU. We cies and seed lots thereby enhanc- be made from balanced quantities actually go further than required, for ing the adaptive potential of Forest of seed from at least 30 trees across example we don’t import Castanea Reproductive Material”. the whole area. This helps to ensure seed at all because we feel that that genetic diversity is maintained. the risk of importing disease such Diversity is key to It also states that “trees must in gen- as Ceratocystis platani is too great risk reduction eral be free from attacks by damag- even if we comply with the regula- Not just for climate change and en- ing organisms and show resilience tion that does actually allow imports vironmental reasons but also to en- to the adverse climate and site con- from Pest Free Zones. hance a forest’s ability to deal with ditions in the place where they are Once seed is collected and ex- threats to its health. When we look growing”. To ensure future profit- tracted, it is cleaned to remove po- ability compliance with this needs tential contaminates. We then use to be balanced against the need for various methods to reduce the risk efficiency and quality gains. At Fore- of disease being present on the start our aim is to help the industry seed, for example, the high tempera- achieve this balance. ture in our kiln has been shown to kill When seed is collected from the Ciboria and Red Band Needle Blight. wild we pick from as many individual However, ensuring that we have trees as possible to ensure that the healthy forests in the future goes resulting seed lot has diversity and far wider than just ensuring that the therefore more potential resilience seed itself is disease free. We also than a collection from a single tree have to look at the resilience of the where offspring are closely related. plants that seed produces. Seed orchards allow us to collect from trees that have been selected DEFRA Tree Health to produce better quality timber Management Plan trees but even these are designed The document describes how the to ensure genetic diversity. For ex- Plant Biosecurity Strategy for pests ample, our Sitka spruce orchards and diseases of trees in England is contain a least 40 clones which al- starting to be implemented; it builds lows us to capture the vast major- on the Tree Health and Plant Bios- ity of the desired genetic diversity ecurity Action Plan. This states that of the population. We could have “threats to our tree population have fewer clones and thus have a higher increased along with globalisation Collecting Noble fir improvement rate in specific traits

38 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK versity of Sitka spruce the UK. This work could also be applied to other forestry species.

Technologies for future forest profitability To ensure the future profitability of our forests we must take advantage of the technologies at our disposal but use them wisely. The use of vegetative propagation allows us to take advantage of the best genetic gains our breeding programs have to offer. The advice is to use seed of at least eight or nine families in a planting scheme. Using vegeta- tion propagation and seed grown material together will help to maintain genetic diversity. The use of somatic embryogenesis is a further step along this road so even more consideration needs to be given to ensure diversity. For example, in Sweden lines are destroyed after a production run and that particular cross is not used again. Another area of research that we are involved with is the Sitka Spruced project which is mapping the Sitka genome. This is being led by Oxford University and will provide the industry with valuable information about which gene con- trols which aspect of Sitka. This will provide us with the tools to monitor and manipulate the genetic diversity of our trees and could enable us to breed trees that produce seeds and cuttings that are resistant to pests but that would significantly reduce and diseases. We are proud to be the genetic diversity of the seed lot. involved in projects that are looking Seed Orchards may in fact pro- at the basis of genetic influence on duce more genetically diverse seed resistance to pests such as hylobius, than seed from Select Stands. The and drought and frost tolerance. In theory is that trees in Select Stands the future this work could be ex- may be closely related and subse- tended to many other areas of plant quent thinning may have inadvert- health in many different species. ently selected for a few outstand- The forestry industry has a well- ing families. This could also be said established knowledgebase. This is about natural regeneration where our first line of defence in the bat- Forestart is a the local environment may mitigate tle against destruction of our liveli- supplier of towards inadvertent selection of a hoods by the onslaught of pests tree seed to narrower genetic base. Orchard ma- and disease exasperated by climate nurseries, terial uses a high selection intensity change and globalisation. landowners but over a much wider range of ma- www.forestart.co.uk and managers. terial from a wider geographic area. Attention to the genetic diversity of our forestry estates in the UK is critical when we are unsure what or when the next crisis will be. To investigate this further, the Conifer Breeding Co-operative have part sponsored a PhD at Edinburgh Uni- http://www.fao.org/plant-health-2020/en/ versity to investigate the genetic di-

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 39 COMMUNICATING FORESTRY

Widening the net to secure our future workforce

Amanda Bryan on the need we know forestry is a buoyant, dynamic, to fi nd the right narrative resilient, forward-thinking industry, with a hugely positive outlook and endless op- for connecting with people portunities. We also know that our sector outside our sector and has tremendous strength and energy in its networks and partnerships – it’s one of the branding forestry as the things that make us so proud to be part of buoyant industry it is. this industry. With ambitions to double the sector’s t is easy to get stuck in a sector bubble. economic contribution and increased de- Through our day jobs, we are immersed mand for sustainable materials, planned Iin what forestry does, the impact it has growth in new woodland planting and re- and the value it brings to society – not just forestation, and a focussed spotlight on economically, but socially and environmen- the role forestry will play in tackling climate tally. We are passionate advocates for all it change and reducing carbon emissions, we represents and it is a dedication and senti- know there’s never been a better, or more ment we see every day from our students exciting time, to join this sector. Today’s fo- at the Scottish School of Forestry. Yet, cus on health, wellbeing and the importance going on just now to address the skills we’re reminded regularly that the forestry of communities also highlights the growing shortage – in Scotland alone, 70% of the sector has a long way to go in terms of tell- social role trees will play in the future. workforce need replaced within the next 10 ing its story to the outside world. Yet, we’ve got a fundamental challenge, years. Here, the Forest Timber & Technolo- A lot of our students stumble across which grows more and more critical every gies Industry Leadership Group (ILG) is forestry by accident – they either come day. What is forestry? What does it actu- working to address this challenge through from a rural background, have family mem- ally mean to people beyond this sector its Skill Group, with a focus on engaging bers or friends in the sector, or have been bubble? What do we want people to think young people. The challenges are similar introduced to forestry through degree about forestry? How do we want people in England and Wales. This work is critical study in another area. And when we speak to feel about forestry? What words do we if the sector is to grow and fl ourish. How- to young people enquiring about courses need to use to connect with people be- ever, we can’t lose sight of how important at our open evenings, they have limited yond the sector? communication is. The way in which we tell knowledge of the sector beyond plant- our story to the outside world, establish our ing, growing and harvesting, and even less Communicating with identify, build our reputation and develop awareness of the range of job opportuni- our future workforce our networks and partnerships must go ties available to them. We must attract new people into this in- hand in hand if we are to effectively ad- For those of us who work in the sector, dustry and there’s lots of excellent work dress this skills gap.

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40 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK – and our audiences, identifying who they are and the profi le of people we need to target. There was lots of interesting debate too – do we want to position ourselves as distinct from other land-based sectors? Who are we competing against? How can we tap into new audiences? And how can we create a buzz around what’s happening in the sector just now? We also discussed some of challenges including how to reduce barriers into forestry and engage primary and secondary school children. Now we’re into a new year, we hope to continue these discussions with interested parties with the view to formalising some key mes- saging and an approach, which will enable and facilitate a collective voice and begin to change the forestry narrative. Collaboration is always a challenge, but one thing is clear – how we address this skills gap and how we talk about and promote the sector is interlinked and in all our interests. The response to our initial call to action was overwhelmingly positive and we hope to see this collaboration not only continue, but expand to include other education providers and industry - ensuring communication is viewed as a one of the top priorities in addressing the challenge now A joint-up sector approach to up narrative for the forestry sector and ex- faced by the sector. Forestry has a good shaping the forestry story ploring collaborative opportunities. There story to tell. We also know that young peo- Attracting people into the industry is an was consensus on our objectives too – we ple who choose to study forestry fall in love obvious priority for the Scottish School of need to raise awareness of the forestry sec- with the sector and are our most passionate Forestry, Scotland’s only provider of both tor and the wide and diverse range of ca- and valuable advocates. We need to shift further and higher education in forestry and reers available to people, promote the sec- gear collectively if we are to maximise the arboriculture. We know we have strengths in tor’s benefi ts to society, position it within opportunities presented. Now is that time. our networks and as a collective, we can do the wider economic landscape, and attract If you are interested in joining this conver- so much more together, than we can apart. new audiences. sation, we want to hear your thoughts on It was with this in mind that we invited Con- Through working through a simple this subject, how we can work together for for, Forest and Land Scotland, Lantra, the SWOT/PESTLE analysis, we’ve started to the sector, share thoughts and good prac- Institute of Chartered Foresters, the Royal bring together a narrative, or story, for tice, and develop new collaborations. Scottish Forestry Society, and Scottish For- ‘our’ forestry sector through identifying estry, to the Scottish School of Forestry in our strengths, opportunities, weaknesses Amanda Bryan is head of the Scottish December to discuss this very issue. Our and threats. We’ve also started looking School of Forestry and Helen Aird is mar- aim was to bring partners together to share at our personality – the human charac- keting and PR ofﬁ cer for the School, part views with the purpose of creating a joined- teristics we want our sector to represent of Inverness College UHI.

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 41 EDUCATION & TRAINING

Mentoring MENTORS Lantra industry the Future WANTED consultation identiﬁ ed a need for an entry level of Forestry introductory programme with

o you enjoy encouraging and mo- relevant work experience and tivating people, and want to share Dyour knowledge with others? training in core technical skills. Do you want to help train our future forestry workforce? Mentors from the Recent research forecasts an increasing need for new talent in forestry over the industry are now next 10 years. It has been highlighted that most of these jobs will be in the contractor sector, which has traditionally faced chal- needed! lenges in terms of recruitment. The For- estry sector is planning a programme of internships similar to the successful agri- Apprenticeships, further education and port to the new entrant, helping them to culture internship programme run that has training and/or employment. understand their role in the business and been operating in the northeast of Scot- It was agreed at the consultation that develop their career path. They also pro- land for the past six years and is now being creating opportunities to allow people to vide a listening ear if their mentee is facing piloted elsewhere. This programme has a get some structured experience of work- any problems or challenges. If done well, mixture of basic training in areas such like ing in the sector was essential to enabling mentoring can be a mutually benefi cial health and safety and tractor operations, the industry to attract new talent. To this learning experience and a way of improv- coupled with work experience on farms. end, Lantra have been tasked with both ing morale and skills of both parties. Free For more information, search for Lantra identifying a pool of industry mentors, mentor training and support will be made land-based pre-apprenticeships. who are keen to help develop such new available for you to get things started. entrants, and supporting employers to Industry involvement is key satisfy workplace requirements. We will What happens next? On 14 of January, on behalf of the Scottish need mentors throughout Scotland, from Once our pool of mentors have been iden- Forest and Timber Technologies Industry a range of backgrounds, to step forwards tifi ed, a more detailed programme of activ- Leadership Group, Lantra hosted a consul- and provide a diverse range of work place- ity will be generated. This exciting activity tation on the proposal. The meeting tried ments of 2-6 months duration either on a will ensure the needs of our specifi c busi- to identify what would be of most benefi t full-time or part-time basis. nesses can be most effectively met now to the forestry sector, how such an initia- and in the future. tive might be structured, what it should What does mentoring involve? If successful, this programme will help to contain and how it might operate. Discus- It involves people like you being at the provide an alternative entry route for new sions identifi ed a need for an entry level in- forefront of forestry’s future. At the most entrants to the forestry sector and should troductory programme with relevant work basic level it is where someone with expe- help to ensure our growing need for more experience and training in core technical rience shares their knowledge and skills forest workers are met. It also will open up skills. Such a programme would also pro- with someone who is less experienced and other opportunities for progression often vide progression opportunities to Modern wants to learn more. Mentors provide sup- to Modern Apprenticeships, further education or training and/or employment. We envisage this programme will help provide an alternative entry route for new entrants to the forestry sector and help ensure our growing skills needs are met going forward. So why not call and fi nd out more, we would love to hear from you.

CAN If you are interested in YOU becoming a mentor, or just HELP? want to fi nd out more – please contact Liz at Lantra on 01738 479709 or [email protected]

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44 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 EDUCATION & TRAINING

nah Moore Primary School in Bristol Virtual ﬁ eld trips to inspire were recently treated to a test run of the forest expeditions. Their teacher Gen Ellison-Smith, said, next generation of foresters “The students absolutely loved using the virtual reality headsets he Forestry Commission is Above: chines used in forestry, study wood- and learning all about the forest. working with Google Expedi- Eggesford land habitats and wildlife, and learn After the class, they wouldn’t stop Ttions to take schoolchildren Forest, Devon about the importance of trees in the talking about the different jobs they on virtual tours of working forests. face of the climate emergency. wanted to have. I’ll defi nitely be us- The Commission is using the im- Students will also hear from peo- ing these tools with other classes in mersive platform to inform the next ple working in the forest about a the future.” generation about sustainable timber range of possible careers. They in- Google Expeditions are used by production, the importance of plant clude forest planners, ecolo- over a million students around the health and how woodlands are gists, arborists, tree health world, enabling teachers to take designed to create habitats for offi cers and machine students on virtual trips to muse- wildlife. operators. ums, historical landmarks and outer The free Expeditions were The 360 degree space. made using a 360 degree panoramas and The fi rst two Forestry Commis- camera and can be viewed on 3D images are sion Expeditions are called Work- mobile devices and tablets. Us- controlled by a ing with trees in England’s forests ers can heighten their experience tablet, which and Timber production in England’s with a virtual reality (VR) head- the teacher forests. More Expeditions, created set. can use to in Forestry England forests, will be Pupils will visit a tree point out added this year. nursery to fi nd out which interesting species could make up sights along To view the Forestry Commission forests of the future. the way. Expeditions, download the Google They will explore ma- Year 2 students at Han- Expeditions app to get started.

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FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 45 MARKETS

and pallet markets. Sawn prices have fallen Political clarity brings by 25-30% from their previous highs and sawmill production rates continue to be curtailed, by as much as 25% as some mills. Alongside sawmills’ widespread and ﬁ rst wave of optimism protracted shutdowns over Christmas, the ensuing shortage of coproducts has further, we will cut interest rates.” impacted on overall fi bre availability. Co- TIMBER MARKET This is welcome news for many opera- products users have therefore been forced REPORT tors in the timber markets suffering the to bridge this gap with spot market pur- consequences of the Ips beetles’ devasta- chases. Although the situation had been Harry Stevens tion. Indeed, reports from Germany sug- partially anticipated, several large users re- gest there is still a year’s cut of standing portedly had empty yards in early January material needing dealt with while a German so prices for small roundwood prices with ince last putting pen to paper, the contact recently noted that the Hessen re- immediate delivery spiked. political scene has experienced sig- gion has 1.2mn m3 of logs at roadside. The impact of all these factors on the Snifi cant change: a Conservative gov- Unsurprisingly, roadside prices have re- standing market has seen the major users ernment with a signifi cant majority now portedly fallen further with logs at E20 to of industrial roundwood buying aggres- has not only the mandate to implement E30per m3 and industrial roundwood as sively both before and after Christmas with Brexit but also the ability to adopt a practi- low as E5 per m3. Additionally, the standing sales attracting a healthy number of bid- cal strategy in their negotiations. volume is deteriorating so will, in time, only ders and strong prices. Whilst prices for This clarity is already infl uencing busi- be fi t for use as industrial roundwood. The standing may have come back from the ness sentiment, especially in the housing scale of standing volumes means this will absolute peak last year, standing sales in market. On the day following the general remain an issue through H1 2020 and possi- many cases are still achieving £30 to £40 election, shares in Taylor Wimpey, Barratt bly H2, depending on the extent of further per tonne and for the best quality in the Developments and Berkeley Group led the outbreaks this summer. right location perhaps a shade over £50 FTSE 100 with all three companies surging How is this impacting the UK market? has been reported. over 14%. Large volumes of imported sawn timber What is the outlook for the coming year? Recent data suggests investors’ faith continue to depress both the construction The high prices for saw logs and industrial has been well-placed. A recent survey of roundwood are undoubtedly hitting the RICS-qualifi ed chartered surveyors reveals bottom-line of some processors and it will widespread belief that “potential purchas- be interesting to see if these operators can ers are now more comfortable in following continue to pass their higher input costs through with enquiries.” Another survey, by through to their customers. Rightmove, indicated that UK house prices The impact of all these Nevertheless, the implicit incentive had risen 2.3% since the election. among both biomass users and wood The evident caution from members of factors“ on the standing processors to maximise production scale the Bank of England’s monetary policy com- market has seen the means demand for standing timber is most mittee provides further reassurance over likely to remain strong in 2020. This would short-term trends in the housing market. major users of industrial then provide important support for prices. Pre-election weakness across the UK econ- roundwood buying Harry Stevens is timber buying director, omy elicited many comforting speeches all aggressively both before Tilhill/BSW. echoing the theme that “we are watching www.tilhill.com the economic data closely and if it weakens and after Christmas www.bsw.co.uk

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©Suttons (Ross) Ltd 2019. Registered in England and Wales. Company registered number: 7930134. Registered Address: Unit 4A Alton Road Industrial Estate, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5NB (01989) 768545 T: 01307 466699 Steve Watson: 07716 245299 Email: [email protected] | Unit 1, Eco Park, Forfar DD8 3BS

48 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK MARKETS

Bidding subdued at hardwood auction

Standing sales John Jenkins, Mostly sold on a price per tonne basis, DJP Newland Rennie the top was £36 per tonne for a large volume of mixed species and sizes rang- ver 13,000m3 was on offer at DJP ing from 15 to 73dbh in the Forest of There were two pure ash parcels with the Newland Rennie’s 32nd Annual Dean and sold to Mendip. best from Clipsham of 14 good 1.7m3 logs sold OHardwood Auction in Cirencester. Of the other lots, another mixed spe- to Brooks at £60 per m3. A crowded sale room witnessed less spir- cies parcel, in Norfolk of sizes 18-48 dbh ited bidding than in 2018 but nevertheless. and the only standing lot offered as cu- Firewood logs 90% of the volume on offer was sold. No bic metres made £34 per m3 and sold to There were seven lots of short logs for the doubt trade was affected by the political Tilhill. fi rewood market, only four of which got sold, and economic uncertainty at the time but all from the Forest of Dean and achieving £48 also the overall quality, with some noted Logs per tonne for two lots and £46 per tonne for exceptions, did not reach the 2018 heights. A total of 32 lots of logs were offered, the other two purchased by Border County The auction morning was again devoted again mostly oak. The top price was Forest and Certainly Wood, respectively. to two speakers: Graham Taylor, of Pryor £310 per m3 for 87 m3 in 54 logs from & Rickett Silviculture gave an extremely Whistley Wood in Northants and sold to Softwood interesting talk on various aspects of oak Pontrilas. This just pipped the 23m3 of All four lots on offer were sold. The big Doug- marketing and Jon Smith of the Forestry oak at Clipsham which went to Brooks las from Kent sold after the auction leaving a Commission presented an update on their at £300 per m3. stand of Japanese Larch from Chepstow Mon- centenary year. Of other oak lots, the best from the mouthshire (above) comprising 1570m3 and The auction presented the lots in three New Forest made £180 per m3 for two m3 selling for £28,000 to E G Burton, and fi nally sections: standing, felled and softwood. logs to W H Timber and a quality parcel two lots of larch in Staffordshire made over Once again, oak predominated. Keith Spen- of 34 logs from Hazelborough Northants £80 per m3. cer conducted the sale. sold at £270 per m3 to Pontrilas. Full sale results on www.djandp.c.uk SAVE THE 2020 SALE DATE The next sale is scheduled for 26 November 2020 – further details from John Jenkins at D J P Newland Rennie, 87 Monnow Street, Monmouth NP25 3EW. Two lots of larch in Staffordshire made over Top price for oak was £310 per m3 from Whistley Wood Tel 01600 712916. £80per m3 in Northamptonshire

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 49 MARKETS

Americas, Scandinavia and New Zealand, as high-cost producers fi ght desperately to re- The slow road to duce their costs. In summary, there has been a sudden and profound change in the global timber market over a period of 18 months with steadily global recovery falling fi nished product prices, reduced activity levels and continuous downward pressure on raw material costs. TIMBER AUCTIONS Wind throw, fi res and now beetle dam- There are however some reasons for a bit MARKET REPORT age have led to widespread felling of spruce of optimism in 2020. forests either as salvage cutting or as own- • Firstly, the Forest Economics Advisers Oliver Combe ers seek to rescue value from their forests 2020 lumber price forecast is for an Timber Auctions before a natural disaster. Growing concern increase of 10% over 2019 levels in North over climate change has further infl uenced America Global trends behaviour in the forest as government • There have been signifi cant production For many in the global timber industry, 2019 policy initiatives to improve resilience by capacity reductions in high-cost production will be remembered as the annus horibilis as restructuring of forests and diversifying areas processors were hit with the perfect storm species have further accelerated felling of • Stock inventory levels have fallen in 2019 of falling demand, high production costs spruce. • A USA vs China trade war agreement is and high stock levels. The savage fi nished In other areas such as Scandinavia, the looking increasingly likely product price decreases that had started Baltics and Canada, milder winters and hot- • Global softwood demand is forecast to in the USA during the second half of 2018 ter, drier summers have restricted logging increase by 2.2 to 2.5% in 2020 after two spread rapidly throughout the main global activity and slowed timber growth leading years of stagnation markets causing turmoil in most domestic to increased concerns over long term tim- • Global timber production to rise by 1.5% markets. Poor global softwood consump- ber availability. • China is amending its Forest Law to tion in 2018 and 2019 led to oversupply in Over the last two years the availability include a nationwide ban on buying, the major markets throughout 2019. of high quality spruce sawlogs at steadily processing or transporting illegally sourced Three market areas, Europe (excluding falling prices to a highly effi cient sawmilling timber. This could have a major effect Russia) North America (excluding Mexico) industry centrally located in one of the main as, according to the UN Environment and China account for 75% of global soft- global timber markets has been a major fac- programme and Interpol, between 15 and wood lumber demand, slowdowns in 1 or as tor in the decline of global lumber markets. 30% of all timber traded globally has been in 2019 declines in demand volumes for two illegally harvested and China’s vast market markets have a profound impact on global for raw material has been a massive driver trade patterns. High inventory levels in the of illegal logging around the world major import markets led buyers to seek • There are signs of stability in the minor lower prices on the world market for their markets leading to increased demand. commodity requirements and producers to Given a period of stability in early 2020 cut prices to maintain market share. Inter- A major new factor in there are strong signs that excess produc- estingly, higher environmental standards in “determining where the low tion will be absorbed by increased demand China lead to hundreds of older timber pro- which will tighten the global supply and cessing plants being closed which in turn cost producers are located lead to price increases in the second half of temporarily reduced demand until more appears to be climate 2020. modern plants could increase their capac- change and its impacts on ity within the new environmental constraints Domestic trends placed by the government the world’s forest resources. The decisive election result should be a ma- The global timber market is driven by the jor factor in restoring business confi dence in desire to be competitive in a market where Because of beetle damaged timber, the the UK which in turn should lead to increas- the price is set by the lowest cost produc- central European supply area has, over the ing domestic demand; this should be a posi- ers. Therefore, raw material costs, plant ef- last two years, become: tive development for the UK market. The fi ciency and transport costs are key drivers • Very close to being the lowest costs key question is what will happen to timber in being a low cost producer. The low cost suppliers of sawn timber to the North prices in the UK in 2020? producers quickly replace the high cost American market, In Scandinavia felling volumes have also producers in a market driven by the lowest • The lowest cost producer into the started to reduce so there are now signs common denominator, price! European sawn timber market, that the oversupply in the market is cor- A major new factor in determining where • A major exporter of round wood recting itself in the peripheries of the bark the low cost producers are located appears sawlogs to China reaching over one million beetle area. to be climate change and its impacts on m3 per month in the fi nal quarter of 2019 2019 has been a traumatic year for the the world’s forest resources. A series of well and increasing its market share from 3% to domestic processing industry which has documented catastrophic climate events nearly 20%. been hit by a perfect storm of: through central Europe over the last fi ve The impact of this on the global market • Falling domestic demand due to political years have led to this region emerging as a has been a major rationalisation of produc- uncertainty around Brexit major low cost timber supply which is hav- tion capacity with sawmill closures and • Falling end product prices due to global ing global infl uence. reduced working throughout the North oversupply

50 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK • Reduced market share as German and into 2020. Demand for biofuel has remained Austrian mills aggressively sought market strong and has served to put a bottom in outlets for beetle damaged timber the market whilst the prices have remained • High round wood prices from 2018 good enough to make almost all thinning legacy contracts 2019 has been a operations viable and ensure that work can • Reduced availability of cheaper timber “traumatic year for the carry on in productive woodlands. to ‘offset’ expensive timber as the private The reduction in standing prices has sector reduced their sales volumes on the domestic processing certainly reduced the amount of timber back of 20 to 25% reductions in sawlog and industry which has been offered to the market in late 2019 and the other produce prices. first quarter of 2020 from the private sector hit by a perfect storm which was reflected in some strong prices Current market conditions for standing timber at the backend of 2019. Most processors have had one of the most duces. The board mills (Caledonian, Egger, The signs are that tight supply of stand- difficult years in recent times as they have Iggesund, Kronospan, and Norbord) then ing timber in 2020 could see a stabilisation had to reduce production capacity which have to increase their intake of small round of prices particularly for parcels with a high in some cases meant redundancies. Some wood from the forest which then starts to small round wood content and smaller di- businesses have stopped cutting round put pressure on standing timber supply. ameter fencing and pallet type sawlogs. wood (eg Earnshaws and Premier timber in This is further compounded by the re- The outlook for prime sawlog parcels re- Doncaster), while most have now managed lentless demand for wood-based biofuel not mains depressed for the first six months of to adjust their operations to the market con- only from the established large markets but the year although the optimists are starting ditions. However, the net result has been re- also from regional and local markets. This to talk about the market improving in quar- duced demand for the higher value sawlogs, has meant that whilst we have seen major ter 4 of 2020. particularly in the mixed conifer market. reductions in prices being paid for sawlogs The fencing and pallet and packaging and pallet wood, small round wood prices Hardwood market mills have also felt the pain and reduced have started to firm again in the second half The main global hardwood markets all saw their round wood prices and intake volumes of 2019. falling demand in 2019, particularly in the in order to remain competitive in a very The glut of small round wood at road- second half of the year on the back of grow- challenging market. side that was evident in early 2019 has ing economic uncertainty, the USA v China The slow-down in the sawmill sector al- now largely disappeared and whilst there trade war, slowdown of demand in Asia. ways puts pressure on the small round wood are still roadside stocks of sawlogs sup- The European market has become heav- market as not only does harvesting activity ply and demand are now coming into bal- ily dependent on oak; this is a trend that we reduce but also the availability of sawmill ance and some buyers are now concerned also see in the UK. This has become a major co-products (woodchip and sawdust) re- about availability of timber going forward risk for the industry; too little effort has gone into creating demand for and adding value to other species. Core European hardwood Major factors driving domestic prices species are under ever increasing threat, ash from Chalara and beech from drought. Exchange rates The pound has quietly rapid degrade of the timber from graded Raw material availability and quality has strengthened against the Euro since carcassing timber to industrial small round become an increasing challenge for the December and has now settled at around wood and bio fuel. This in turn could lead hardwood sector. wBeech production has the 1.18 Euro to the pound level, whilst this to reduced availability of prime sawlogs been hit hard by drought damage to trees an increase from the lows of 1.08 seen as the harvesting activity continues to be over the last few summers, whilst the logs in August 2019 it is still a little way off focused on recovery of lower and lower appear unblemished on the outside when the 1.25 level where the domestic timber grade material. standing and first felled, sawing is revealing producers really struggle to compete Imported timber volumesvThe elephant high levels of defects and low yield of high with importers. So the exchange rates in the room remains the price and volume grade timber. remain favourable for UK producers. of timber that is coming into the UK The overseas markets for beech have Imported timber prices Although from central Europe. Cheap high quality historically been especially sensitive to qual- imports remain a threat, the prices do spruce from German, Austrian and other ity issues and in previous times, the export now appear to be stabilising and the central European producers has been a markets were severely undermined by ship- Scandinavian producers are keen to see key factor in driving down prices in the ments of low quality material. price increases to restore profitability. UK for graded carcassing, unseasoned Oak is also causing concern in Europe There are signs that log prices are carcassing and pallet and packaging with increased incidence of pin hole borers creeping up again in central Europe material. Other producers have had to and other causes of worm holes as a result as the mild winter has slowed logging follow the prices down or withdraw from of drier conditions in the forest leading to activity down and lead to accelerated the UK market. The Baltic producers have both the trees being stressed and so more degrade of beetle infected stands which had a particularly hard time as after initial vulnerable to attack and ideal conditions for is starting to reduce the amount of price reductions of 20 to 25% they have insect pests once trees are felled and still in C24 material being produced. Once been unable to reduce log prices to much the forest. secondary fungal infections, sap stains below 60 Euros per m3 delivered. Growers Climate change, new pests and diseases and boring beetles become active in trees are simply not prepared to sell logs at and restricted markets are all combining to infected by Ips typographus or damaged lower levels and have reduced harvesting increase the risks involved in growing hard- by drought and wind throw there is a activity accordingly. woods. Continued on p53

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 51 100% Recycled Plastic Sapling Protection

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52 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK OBITUARY

Continued from p51 best quality material. DR. PETER SAVILL There is now concern in Europe that there is Whilst there is little domestic demand for After his retirement from Lina- an ‘eating up’ of quality hardwood stock going ash there are strong signs that in the short term cre College, Peter was one of the on and that the resource is not being replaced the export demand will increase. initial founders of the British and but without co-ordinated inventories and for- It will become increasingly important to fell Irish Hardwood Improvement Pro- est management policy it is difficult to see this quality ash before it begins to degrade from gramme, the charity that became concern being proved although it will sow the Chalara to capitalise on the current export Future Trees Trust and which works seeds of doubt in the hardwood processors demand. As the availability of ‘clean’ ash from on improving broadleaved trees to minds. France declines, there will be increased focus enhance their desirable character- Export demand for oak cooled off in 2019 on the UK resource but the buyers are already istics. and prices for the lower grades fell back by nervous about degrade. Peter brought a wealth of expe- around 15% although the prices for higher Beech sawlogs currently have very limited rience, knowledge, passion, energy grade oak sawlogs for veneer, barrel staves markets in the UK and whilst there is export de- and enthusiasm to the charity and and planking have remained stable or slightly mand for better quality logs, it remains sensi- it’s no exaggeration to say that with- increased. Reports are coming through of in- tive to haulage costs. The situation in Europe is out his input, the charity wouldn’t creased mortality of oak in Europe both direct- pointing to an oversupply of beech sawlogs in be here today. He interviewed me ly from drought and indirectly from secondary the short term and depressed prices. for the role of development officer causes as a result of weakening from drought. In summary, for the UK hardwood market, in 2011 and I was immediately struck Beech prices also fell by around 15% due to the firewood and biomass sectors are a great by the air of quiet confidence and lower export demand from China and falling opportunity to manage and work to improve authority that emanated from him. prices, drought has had a major impact on the our crops. We should not lose site of the aim to Here was a man that clearly knew quality and quantity of beech logs available. grow quality sawlogs of whatever productive more about broadleaved tress than Drought has meant there are now 700,000m3 species we plant but should always be aware anyone I had ever met before. De- of dead beech trees in eastern France. of short term opportunities. The UK with its ex- spite my having none of the re- Ash prices have remained high on the back cellent tree growing climate, good soils, strong quired forestry experience for the of increased demand from Asia and in particu- management sector and highly efficient pro- role, Peter decided to employ me lar Vietnam where ash is popular as a cheaper cessing sector has an extremely resilient and and thus started my acquaintance alternative to oak. Ash dieback has led to a robust industry which is globally competitive. with this most thoughtful, clever short term rise in production, particularly in Despite the turmoil of the last year the outlook and learned man. France however there are signs that this avail- for the private grower in the UK remains good, Peter stepped down from his ability will be short lived and that the demand timber prices are still good and there are signs role as Chair at Future Trees Trust in for logs from the UK will improve. that demand will improve in 2020. 2013 but continued to be a signifi- In the short term, there has been an over- cant contributor to its work. He just supply in the UK of lower grade oak logs couldn’t keep away and, if we knew (fencing and small beam quality) during late TIMBER AUCTIONS Peter was going to be involved in 2019 and early 2020 which have lead to prices a meeting, we all had a hugely infor these categories falling. At the same time, If you wish to discuss parcels of timber creased sense of confidence that there has been a shortage of good quality you would like to market, please we would end up doing the right planking and large beam oak sawlogs, the de- contact Oliver Combe on 07771 thing, under Peter’s always excel- 958975, oliver.combe@ mand is there but not the logs so it is difficult lent guidance. timberauctions.co.uk for free to gauge the price level but is should be real- His contribution to tree improve- independent marketing advice. istic to expect £10 to £15hft at roadside for the ment cannot be underestimated and he will be sorely missed by everyone that ever encountered him, let alone all of us at Future Trees Funding to help develop Cairngorms Trust. Tim Rowland, woodland creation proposals CEO Future Trees Trust

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 53 • Wood chippers • Wood chipper combinations • Stumpgrinders •Woodgrapples, cutters & saws

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54 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK MACHINERY

Chainsaw Big Mill Logosol’s milling

RAB Easton on For effective milling, the chain that is ing timber at the stump - the tree is felled, used is different to a regular chain; the cut- de-limbed, crosscut and then milled with- the attachments ting angle is much smaller, between 0°-10°. out any extraction and transport costs to that turn These are called ripping chains and are the sawmill. Larger diameter logs, that are chainsaws into specially designed for cutting along the extremely difficult or too heavy to remove grain of the wood. They are able to cut four in one piece from the forest, can be pro- portable sawmills to five times faster than a regular chain- cessed with a large chainsaw and milling saw chain which has a cutting angle of be- attachment. hainsaws are not just for fell- tween 20°-35°. A wider guide bar is recom- Milling timber can put considerable ing, de-limbing and crosscut- mended when milling as this will produce strain on a chainsaw so it is important to ting trees. By the addition of a a smoother face on the sawn timber and use manufacturers recommended fuel, simple and easy-to-fit attach- requires much less finishing. chain and two stroke oils and check that Cment, they can be converted Portable saw mills offer a simple solu- the guide bar oil ways and rails are kept into a portable sawmill. The only constraint tion for converting single trees or smaller clear of debris for good chain lubrication. It is the power of the chainsaw being used volume harvesting areas into good quality is imperative that the cutting chain is kept and length of the guide bar. Both these fac- milled timber where it could possibly end sharp and properly maintained; a dull chain tors will determine the maximum diameter up being left to rot or cut into firewood. will put additional strain on the cutting of timber you are capable of milling. It is also a cost-effective way of process- equipment and increase fuel consumption. >>

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 55 Offering a comprehensive range of professional log & woodchip drying kilns for the timber industry. Log, woodchip, sawn timber, pallets & fencing.

The drying programs used on our multiple air pass kilns are designed to give optimum efficiency and quality drying freshly split logs in just 5 days down to average moisture contents of 15%. A reversing air flow every 2 hours ensures uniform drying. Please note that those companies that have installed inefficient single air pass shipping containers and have existing R.H.I. contracts can now replace these keeping their existing boiler and R.H.I. contract, this gives increased production and drying quality whilst reducing fuel consumption by 50% per cubic metre of logs dried. Manufacturers of Timber Drying Kilns for over 38 years Please visit our website for more information www.kilnservices.co.uk t: 01621 785 935 e: [email protected] Kiln Services Ltd, Essex, CMO 8TE LOG HOLDER adjustment  Logs from 1 - 11 No Planks SAW Pallets HORSE  Posts 3 3 Manufactured in Ireland PatentedLogs from 1”-11” Planks NO ADJUSTMENT! 3 Pallets 3 Posts Easy to assemble • Safe to use • Fast and effi cient Easy to assemble • Safe to use • Fast and efficient The Timber Croc is manufactured in Ireland and is copyright and patent approved. Timber Croc stands alone as the The Timber Croc is manufactured in Ireland and is copyright and ELIMINATE only log holder that is completely self adjusting. Securely holding logs of only 1” in diameter to heavy trunks at 11”. ELIMINATE patent approved. Timber Croc stands alone as the only log holder DANGERS! The Timber Croc requires zero adjustment and will never leave you a log of awkward length to split. DANGERS! that is completely self adjusting. Securely holding logs of only 1” inThe diameter independently to heavy hangingtrunks at teeth 11”. allowThe Timber for anything Croc requiresround or zero square to be gripped securely, making for cutting adjustmenttimber a much and safer will never one person leave you job. a The log Timberof awkward Croc lengthstands to taller split. off the ground making the Working height hip level minimalising backache and fatigue. The independently hanging teeth allow for anything round or square The rows of teeth top and bottom, alleviate the dangers of a “spinning log” while this extra clearance removes the to be gripped securely, making for cuttingpossibility timber a ofmuch grounding safer one the saw. person job. The Timber Croc stands taller off the ground making the Working height hip level minimalising backache and fatigue. The rows of teeth top and bottom, alleviate the dangers of a NoNo Other other person person required. “spinning log” while this extra clearance removes the possibility required.Work safer andWork faster safer on your own. of grounding the saw. and faster on your own.

Work taller and help Workprevent taller, backache. help preventAlso, backacheavoid the temptation and avoid to the temptationplace a foot on the to log place a foot on the log TMBE CC LG HLDE TIMBER CROCSales Tel:SAW 046 HORSE 9549033 Mob: 086 8756102 Des Geraghty 08687 56102Buy Email: online [email protected] at www.timbercroc.com Buy online at www.timbercroc.com

56 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK MACHINERY

>> Milling creates more dust/sawdust than normal chainsaw use so keep a vigilant check on the cleanliness of your air filter as an improper fuel/air mixture can result in an expensive seizure of the chainsaw’s engine. There are of course disadvantages to this type of milling; it is a slower process than using a band saw and more wood is wasted due to the thickness of the chainsaw chain but they are a great solution for many circumstances. They are light to carry onto site, quick and easy to assemble, many can be operated by one person and the initial cost of the milling attachments for the saw should be recovered reason- ably quickly from the sale of timber.

Logosol Logosol is owned by the Byström family in Härnösand, Sweden. The company was founded in 1989 by Bengt-Olov Byström and to date they have sold over 30,000 sawmills. Logosol supply the F2, F2+ Chainsaw Mills and the Timberjig. The F2 is a lightweight portable sawmill constructed from anodised aluminium in 1m sections and is capable of milling logs up to 60cm diameter, with unlimited these chainsaw mills is that the logs have with chainsaw, guide bar and chains that length. Additional 1 or .5m sections can be to be lifted onto the elevated bench prior are adapted for log sawing, but you can added to whatever length you need to mill. to milling but you are working at a com- also use standard equipment if you already It takes minutes to set up and because it fortable height with much less bending own a chainsaw with two guide bar bolts. can be disassembled it can be transported over and loading aids are available. Logosol recommends Stihl MS391 or MS661 in the boot of a car. It is simple to use with Logosol have an alternative called the when you are sawing with the Timberjig. an auto-locking system and the sawing Timberjig which turns a standard chainsaw A larger version, the Big Mill (see picture, measurements give precise sawing dimen- into a complete sawmill that cuts logs into p55), is available specifically designed for sions for each board. finished planks and boards. It will handle milling large timber with a diameter of up The F2+ is an extra robust version of 24” maximum diameter logs in lengths up to 53”. These mill attachments are made the F2, for milling larger 70cm diameter to 2.7m long in standard form but can be from aluminium and steel and treated with timber, including hardwoods. In standard easily extended for longer lengths. You Nitrus Oxide which gives better corrosion form it will mill up to 3.8m length logs with are able to upgrade the Timberjig with a resistance and is more durable to wear and 1 and .5m extensions for longer lengths. guide rail system which will enhance the tear. The only slight downside regarding cutting accuracy. Logosol can supply you www.logosol.co.uk

Granberg In the 1960s, Elof Granberg acquired the rights to a bar-mounted chain saw mill, nicknamed the “Alaskan.” Working under the credo “smarter, not harder,” Elof set >>

Granberg’s MkIV chainsaw sawmill and, Logosol’s F chainsaw sawmill top, Granberg’s Mini Edger

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 57 MACHINERY

>> about simplifying and streamlining the design. Today, the Alaskan MKIII is the industry standard and is sold all over the world. Over the years, the Mini Mill was added to Granberg’s sawmill line as well as the Small Log Mill. Both have been available for sale in the UK since 2006 The company currently offers three chainsaw mills for sale, the MkIV Alaskan Mill, Small Log Mill and the Granberg Mini Mill. The Alaskan MKIV is a versatile robust heavy duty milling attachment suitable for any make/model of chainsaw preferably with a minimum 50cc or over engine and with a guide bar length of over 24”. It is capable of accurately cutting boards and beams from 1/2” to 13” thick. As the sawmill attachment is clamped onto the saw there is no limit to the length of timber. Due to the mill clamping onto the guide bar in two places you lose 8” in the cutting length of the bar so a 30” guide bar will mill a maximum diameter log of 22”. The MKIV is manufactured from aircraft grade aluminium Panther’s 80 chainsaw mill and any steel parts are zinc coated, no drilling or modifi cations to the saw are needed. saws and is suitable for a 20” guide bar and milling, making it much easier and more The Small Log Mill is intended for any will cut a 17” maximum diameter log of any accurate to use than manually pushing the make/model of chainsaw with a 16” to a length. Although light and agile this mill chainsaw mill. maximum of 20” guide bar length with a performs well and will stand up to rigorous Panther attachments can be used with minimum 50cc motor. With this mill at- continuous use. a variety of chainsaw models and makes. tached you lose only 2” of the sawing The next three Panther models are quite www.frjonesandson.co.uk width of the guide bar. No drilling or altera- similar in design to each other, the Panther tions are needed, its light and easily moved 42, 64, and 80. These mills have been total- There are many different types of chain- from tree to tree and is ideal for producing ly re-designed from scratch and the com- saw mills available through a multitude of planks and beams of unlimited length from pany claim they are made by chainsaw mill- suppliers; there is even a good selection to Ð” to 13” thick. ers for chainsaw millers. The model number be found on internet sites like Amazon and The Granberg Mini Mill is for saws of determines the maximum diameter of the eBay. I would always recommend using a 50cc or more with guide bars between timber that can be milled. chainsaw slightly more powerful than what 16”and 36”. This is a vertical chainsaw mill One benefi t of this mill is that it hasa is sometimes recommended. The chainsaw for dimensional cuts and is suitable for dedicated Panther fi rst-cut system which will not need to work as hard during milling squaring up logs for structures and cabins. ensures your fi rst cut is table top fl at. This and it will be less demanding on the engine The shorter the guide bar the more accu- gives precise milling results even with thick- which in turn can improve fuel effi ciency. rate this mill will perform and it will work er boards. The variable height adjustment Don’t be frightened to ask for advice more effi ciently with a Granberg Ripping is fast, precise and tool free and because from online sawmilling forums or sawmill- Chain. the attachment is bolted and not clamped ing groups on social media. You should be www.chainsawbars.co.uk the saw will never slip within the mill. able to get an honest and unbiased opinion The Panther Chainsaw Mills are able to from users who will have experience using Panther mill any length of log and have a winch the equipment you are considering pur- Panther Chainsaw Mills are designed and winding system to ensure even, smooth chasing. built by LogLogic and are ideal for milling at stump. Four sizes are available with or without GB milling guide bars and ripping chainsaw chains. If you decide to use your own existing guide bar then it will require Rab Easton is the editor of the bi-monthly Forest drilling to attach the sawmill before use. GB Machine Magazine. He is a second generation logger has developed guide bars specifi cally for with over 40 years of hands on experience in timber harvesting. Rab’s magazine is available both in print chainsaw mills and they are called lo- pro and online and he is very active on Twitter and – a low profi le guide bar – which enable a Facebook. smooth, even and much faster cut. www.forestmachinemagazine.com The smallest chainsaw mill is the Panther @forestmachineoj Cub which can be used with most makes/ a models of chainsaws. b @forestmachineoperatorjobs This is the entry level mill for smaller

58 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Caledonian Forestry Services Ltd FOR QUALITY FORESTRY MACHINERY

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What3words: location technology that’s given every 3m square in the world a unique combination of three words

hen it comes to describ- been important to Tom that his team ing where things are in take a modern approach by embrac- Wthe countryside, it can ing new solutions and technologies. get really complicated. Many places Therefore, he was quick to encour- like field entrances, barns and damage his team to start using what- aged trees have no address at all, 3words across the business. He says: and postcodes tend to cover un- “Postcodes have always been helpfully broad areas. useless to us when it comes to co- Coming from a farming back- ordinating teams of specialists, con- ground, Chris Sheldrick went on to sultants and contractors on rural develop what3words, an innova- jobs. Postcodes route sat-navs to tive location technology that’s giv- the nearest house or building – not en every 3m square in the world a the field, woodland or open space unique combination of three words: where work has been instructed. In a what3words address. For example the past we’ve tried to get around ///filled.count.soap marks the front this problem by annotating screen- entrance to the company’s office in shots from Google maps, but what- West London. 3words provides a much simpler, Now in its sixth year, what3words more reliable solution.” is used by over 1000 businesses, For the UK forestry and timber government organisations and industry, there are a number of ways NGOs in over 170 countries. It is used what3words can be used effectively across diverse industries including almost instantly. The free app pro- automotive, navigation, logistics, e- vides an easier way to report the commerce, post, travel, emergency exact location of theft or vandalism services, drone routing and disas- of forestry equipment to your local ter response. Significant partners other colleagues are very familiar what3words rural crime policing team; it can be include Mercedes-Benz, which was with using grid references day in can pinpoint used to find, share and record ac- the first car company to build what- and day out, and we have sophisti- the exact curate location data, or even direct 3words into its navigation system, cated and accurate systems to keep location of tree surgeons straight to the cor- Ford, The UN, NATO and the postal our lone workers safe. However, at workers rect tree that needs felling without services of nine countries to date. times colleagues have found what- the need for long directions or con- In 2018, a what3words address 3words a useful and quick way to fusingly annotated screenshots of was used for the first time to re- meet in more remote parts of the Google Maps. port and respond to an emergency forest and in response to working With high rates of worker fatal in- in the UK – a fire in a remote loca- with some emergency services and juries across agriculture, forestry and tion in Hertfordshire. Fast-forward dealing with members of the public fishing industries, there is good rea- 18 months and what3words is now directly, and we have now added the son to recommend use of a free app used by most emergency services system to our standard Forest Dis- that people can use day-to-day, but around the country and is report- trict incident and emergency plans.” also if they were ever get into trouble edly helping to save precious time, As well as helping to promote in a hard-to-describe location. resources and lives everyday. better safety behaviours among Following the UK emergency the forestry industry, lone workers GET INVOLVED services’ rapid adoption of the in- and others working in hard-to-find, novative what3words addressing remote locations, what3words has The mobile app is free to download from the App or system, Forestry England has rec- captured the attention of many busi- Google Play Stores and a simple guide for using the ognised the potential of making the nesses looking to coordinate and app can be found at https://what3words.com/how- free what3words app a part of every manage rural jobs more efficiently. to-use-the-what3words-app/ forester’s toolkit. The organisation Tom Williams is the managing If you’re interested in adding what3words to an recently announced its plans to ex- director of Mayndencroft, a busi- existing software, for example your GIS, incident plore more collaborative opportuni- ness offering a range of specialist reporting form or asset management system please ties with what3words. services that work to create, restore get in touch at https://what3words.com/contact-us/ Clare James, Head of Health, and maintain rural landscapes, from Already using what3words? Discover more ways safety and technical training at For- forestry to farmland, nature reserves to get the most out of the system at https:// estry England says: “Our foresters, and some of Britain’s most famous what3words.com/what3words-for-business/ civil engineers, wildlife rangers and historic countrysides. It has always

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 61 HUMAN RESOURCES

FISA Guidance on Managing Health & Safety in Forestry (GMHSF)

Knowing your role companies and forestry organisa- are interdependent and require dis- The refreshed 2019 FISA Guidance tions, and to landowners too. cussion and co-operation. on Managing Health & Safety in For- Planning and carrying out com- estry (GMHSF), is available to the mercial forestry operations involves Ensuring you have a UK forestry industry on the Forest several tasks and processes that competent workforce Industry Safety Accord (FISA) web- have to be managed to ensure The competence of individuals is site. health and safety is built into every vital, whether they are employers, This core guidance is not new, activity, for example: managers, supervisors, employ- having been first launched in 1999 • Selecting suitable equipment ees and/or contractors, especially with earlier updates in 2003 and • Completing risk assessments those with safety-critical roles like 2014. The 2019 version clearly sets • Communicating effectively the FWM. Competence ensures out each of the key roles in the plan- • Protecting the health and safety better recognition of the risks ning and delivery of forestry work, of the public and application of the right meas- including for the first time, the role • Establishing safe working ures to control and manage those of forestry workers. practices risks. Competence ensures thorough The new documents outline the • Ensuring appropriate training site planning. legal duties, responsibilities and and competence for all involved Competence can be described nature of each of the roles with the • Selecting skilled and as the combination of training, skills, aim of making them more straight- experienced contractors who experience and knowledge that a forward and understandable. are competent person has, and their ability to ap- Although everyone involved in • Supervising the work effectively. ply them to perform a task safely. A forestry work has health and safety competent person recognises and duties and/or responsibilities, the It is important that the FWM and manages risks and applies control primary responsibility for ensuring everyone else involved understands measures using timely operational the effective planning of work and which role(s) they have to fulfil in planning, clear communication, in- management of risks in forestry each situation. Any role may be pre- spection and review. rests with the Forestry Works Man- formed by an organisation (such as Employers must take account ager (FWM). a forestry business) even though it of the competence of employees Forestry work generally takes will generally assign an employee when conducting their site risk as- place in difficult and complicated or another person to perform the sessments and determining the outdoor environments, amongst functions of the role on its behalf. level of supervision needed. As self- significant hazards and constraints. It is clearly possible to delegate the employed workers gain competence It is a high-risk industry and the functions of a particular role to an and skills, they may need to arrange planning, management and co-ordi- individual; it is not possible to del- a level of supervision with another nation required for forest operations egate the legal responsibilities that contractor – this needs to be added are necessarily complex. Respon- go with that role. to the risk assessment. sibility for safety in this complex Some roles, for example, the If contractors are used or a land- working environment extends from FWM role or the contractor role, owner employs an agent, there is a workers on the ground right through have significantly more responsibili- responsibility to make sure they are to chief executives of management ties than others. However, all roles competent.

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62 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Proof of competence estry) which can evidence this com- Competence needs to be evi- petence (the APP is also capable of Managing Health & denced; how can you evidence this an awful lot more to help manage Safety in Forestry competence? site health and safety, for example, Half Day Workshops Traditionally, for chainsaw op- showing when workers are on site, eratives, vocational qualifi ca- site specifi c ‘live’ risk assessments, The newly revised ‘Managing tions are based on nation- machine check sheets and much, Health & Safety in Forestry’ ally recognised standards much more). Guidance documents set out that rely on periodic What steps are you, as a compa- the legal duties, responsibilities checks that a stand- ny providing FWMs to the industry, and nature of each of the roles ard of achievement is taking to demonstrate the compe- with the aim of making those reached on a particu- tence of your FWMs and what re- duties and responsibilities lar day. cords are you keeping as evidence more straightforward and The FISA Chain- of this competence? understandable. saw Project Work- Focus on Forestry First have ing Group, chaired Skills development teamed up with FISA, Pontrilas by Calum Duffy of for FWMs Harvesting & mwmac ltd to Duffy Skylining, is trialling FISA is actively encouraging the in- deliver these half day workshops a system of levels for chain- dustry to move to a system of FWM to introduce the new MHSF saw operatives which will continuing professional develop- Guidance, with two events in increase the knowledge and ment (CPD) as, clearly, the FWM Wales (North & South). Booking is experience of chainsaw operators carries a huge responsibility for for- direct with Focus on Forestry First through consolidation and mentor- estry site health and safety. To be via the links below. ing. An accompanying audit sys- at the top of their game, the FWM The expectation of these tem will systematically check the needs to be competent and con- events is to brief the key parties level of competence, giving tinue to develop and maintain these in the new guidance and provide details of any omissions skills once achieved, as methods of working examples of delivery identifi ed and recom- work and equipment is constantly within our day to day tasks. mend remedial ac- moving forward. The event will be hosted in two tions to be taken. The FISA Skills and Development sessions (10am-12pm session Through this Working Group, chaired by Graeme for landowner and forest works route, com- Hodgson will be developing FWM manager and 2pm-4pm session petence can CPD during 2020. for contractors). You are invited to be built The Forest Haulage Working enjoy a networking lunch 12-2pm. upon as new Group, chaired by Neil Stoddart, skills are in November 2019, ran a trial HGV Event dates achieved, Driver Certifi cate of Professional Thursday, 27 February supporting Competence (CPC) Forestry Mod- Coed Y Brenin career de- ule. This will be rolled out across the Friday, 28 February velopment. UK in 2020. This course, although Garwnant Calum aimed initially for Driver CPC, is also is pilot- suitable for FWMs. New dates will For more details and booking visit ing an APP be put out on the FISA website. the events calendar on based sys- www.focusonforestryfi rst.co.uk tem (called Safe For- wwwwwwww.ukfi sa.com

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 63 HUMAN RESOURCES

The App is intuitive to use and Looking after your features include: • Daily Safety Checks • Reporting - for incidents, risks and for teams’ wellbeing competency records - photos and notes can be attached to reports and safety checks ySafety supports your (FLS) during the trials: • Emergency support using the What3Word teams and you by recog- “This is the fi rst time addressing system. Mnising the wellbeing of the managers have real- forest industry’s workforce is of time visibility of what Essential workplace information is available: paramount importance given their is actually happening • Guidance on mitigating risks workplace can be remote, and their on our forest operations, and their • Incident summaries - daily alerts about working conditions harsh and also improved awareness will improve incidents which happened on the previous day lonely. Both physical and mental the safety of all”, says John Ireland, • Hourly weather forecasts for their work site from wellbeing are important: good com- health and safety adviser. the Met Offi ce’s latest services. munication and engagement will MySafety has progressed signifi - There are signifi cant benefi ts for every role therefore contribute signifi cantly to cantly over the last 12 months in re- defi ned by FISA: the workforce’s safety and motiva- sponse to many helpful suggestions • Records of Skills and Competencies can be tion. from trials and other interested par- maintained. Via MySafety’s app, real-time in- ties. While further developments • Observations can be shared by Operators, formation can be conveyed easily are planned – geofencing and man- Contractors, Managers and Owner, so fostering to and from each of the fi ve roles down functionality – the research an inclusive team culture. The team members in summarised in the latest FISA Guid- phase of the project ends in March every role can be “heard”; they will be engaged, ance – Managing Health and Safety 2020, after which the app/portal and consequently feel valued. in Forestry. will be available for use. For further • Operational processes can be formalised The effectiveness of that opera- information about MySafety, please and evidenced to provide reliable management tional support has been confi rmed mail c.mann@lfi -silva.com or ste- information. by Forestry and Land Scotland [email protected].

64 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Igggesund trains staff as Mental Health First Aiders

n January 2017, Iggesund Paper- board (Workington) signed up to Ian initiative called Better Health at Work, an award which recognises and encourages employers to promote a healthier workplace. In the last three years, the large company has organised many campaigns, wellbeing days and trained 18 employees as Health Advocates and 24 employees as Mental Health First Aiders. These employees all have an interest in wellbeing and help to be a contact point for employees around the mill. mental health awareness posters of GET INVOLVED Iggesund was assessed in No- the Ask Twice campaign inside toilet vember for the Better Health at cubicles. We believe that promoting Are you an employer? Why not promote mental Work Gold Award and offi cially re- mental health awareness, in particu- health awareness in your business? #AskTwice ceived the award this January. lar in male-dominated sectors, has offers posters and other resources to encourage your employees to look after each other. For more When Confor staff visited the long been overdue and is key for information, search for Ask Twice or go to www.time- premises in October 2019, we were staff wellbeing and productivity. to-change.org.uk/support-ask-twice-campaign pleasantly surprised to fi nd see the www.iggesund.com

A decade of keeping lone workers safe In May last year, Trackplot celebrated its to adhere to best-practices in IT secu- 10th anniversary. Trackplot is the lone rity. It means Trackplot has been inde- worker monitoring system for people who pendently verifi ed and has cyber secu- work remotely outdoors. The easy-to-use rity measures in place protecting their interactive system helps companies com- service and data from any cyber attack. ply with lone worker laws and create their Looking ahead to the second six own tailored lone worker management months of their anniversary year, Track- system. plot is focused on gaining BS8484 ac- This satellite-based system offers a creditation a British standard which en- range of different communication meth- sures the quality of lone worker safety ods and does not need mobile phone re- services. BS8484 will provide recom- ception to work. mendations and act as a benchmark Their product helps employers to com- when seeking solutions to reduce the ply with the law, improving working con- risk to lone workers. By complying with ditions and safety for their workforce. BS8484 this will provide further com- Integral to Trackplot is a system of noti- mitment that Trackplot is working to fi cations, a check-in and check-out facil- the highest standard for their customers ity and alerts. The Trackplot Portal has an safety as a code of practice. automatic escalation procedure which, in www.trackplot.com the event that the lone worker is incapaci- tated, allows the alarm still to be raised. This year the company gained Cyber Essential Plus accreditation. This UK government scheme encourages businesses

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 65 TIMBER TRANSPORT EVER WONDERED WHERE… Everyone else is getting them from?

very two years, an eclectic very tricky to say ‘if you invest in im- mix of people with an in- proving these specifi c roads you will terest in timber transport get this much economic growth’: It Roads, Egather for a conference. is easier to do for a new motorway, This time we will be in Penrith on 20 very diffi cult for improvements to a March 2020, graciously sponsored bunch of minor roads. by Volvo. The Timber Transport Forum and One reason for the location is groups are in a rather unique posi- that it is in the ‘Borderlands’ where tion of being practitioners (rather Forests, the Scottish and UK Governments than economists and planners) man- have recently announced a £394m aging the interface where poor road Growth Deal covering the fi ve local infrastructure directly impacts on our authority areas of Carlisle City, Cum- business. It affects the value of our bria County, Dumfries and Galloway, forests, the price we get for our tim- People Northumberland County and Scot- ber, the riskiness of interventions and tish Borders. investment and the cost and carbon EXCAVATOR STUMP GRINDER At the same time, the UK Govern- emissions from our supply chain. It ment has announced the creation of also affects the perception of forest- Roland Stiven the Great Northumberland Forest, ry by local communities, not always Timber Transport Forum a proposed new forest in the north positively. The enterprise initiatives of England, alongside Kielder For- value forestry; we need to make sure est – which might already warrant the local communities do too. VIBRATING POST DRIVER the name! In Scottish Borders and Dumfries Inﬂ uencing investment and Galloway, the South of Scotland In Scotland, the industry is most • Quality you can rely on Enterprise is being established with fortunate to continue to have the a remit to support inclusive growth Strategic Timber Transport Fund across the predominantly rural Scot- through which we can help infl u- tish Borders and Dumfries and Gal- ence infrastructure investment and • Service you can trust loway. immediately see the benefi t to local Both initiatives recognise the for- communities. Visiting road improve- estry and wood sector as an asset ment works in Argyll in January I • Unrivalled performance to the region delivering low carbon was struck by how much has been growth and contributing towards achieved by the local authority with sustainable economic development. STTF support in recent years. The • Optimised for your machine Forestry and wood processing are road improvements don’t just re- signifi cant employers, with com- duce the impact of timber transport, CONE SPLITTER mercial forestry and state of the art they mostly benefi t local people and processors both north and south of visitors to our forested landscapes. SWINGARM STUMPGRINDER the border. The Borderlands Part- Transport is just part of the story. ners will bring forward proposals for Borderlands and South Scotland a Forestry Innovation Centre as an Enterprise also realise that rural de- exemplar for the sector. We are yet velopment is a multi-faceted issue. to see what this will entail. The forestry sector needs roads but it also needs young people living Enabling growth locally to do the work, and they in Both initiatives also recognise the turn need affordable housing, train- importance of transport infrastruc- ing and skills development, regular ture in enabling economic growth. transport services, offi ce space and There is a host of economic studies functional communities people want that try to pin down the relation be- to live in. tween the two and, while it is usu- Come to the conference, it’s all EVER WONDERED WHERE… ally fairly obvious where transport about roads, forests and people Call us or your local dealer today—attachmentsSKIDSTEER FLAIL/MULCHER for your excavator, backhoe, telehandler, skidsteer or wheeledSKIDSTEER loader LOG GRAPPLE infrastructure is limiting, it can be (and big trucks!). Everyone else is getting them from? Unit 1-4 Mitchell Road Wimborne BH21 7SG TICKETS Klou Smart hydraulic attachments www.klou.biz The Timber Transport Conference is being held at North Lakes ONLINE Hotel, Penrith on 20 March 2020. More details and ticket Phone: 01202 517799 bookings on www.confor.org.uk under Resources/events 1-4 Mitchell Road, FernsideMob: Park, 07467 Wimborne, 443403 Dorset, BH21 7SG Phone: +44 1202 517799

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66 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Post Drivers • Stump Grinders • Flail Heads • Tarmac Planers • Log Grabs • Cone Splitters

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68 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Are there lessons to be learned from woodfuel-reliant countries?

sector no exception to this. Every town and village had its local ad- ministration, and while these remain, they are in a much-reduced form, and none of those I spoke with had the well-trained forest rangers and system of permits which existed prior to 1992. The breakdown of all state structures during the civil war triggered years of hardship, huge numbers of internally displaced people and a need to heat and cook with wood, meaning that much of Abkhazia’s original forest cover was lost, particularly in the lowlands where the conflict was most intense. As a consequence, the changes in the management and structure of Abk- hazia’s forests have been dramatic, and there is a general lack of sustainable forest management and regulation outside the ‘high forest’ of the mountains - areas dominated by beech and chestnut at lower alti- tudes with mixed conifers higher up in the Caucasus. of the other things that the rest of ades, as people have sought a relia- The state forestry service, which the international community typi- ble and low cost source of heat, and although staffed by dedicated ca- cally takes for granted. wood is now one of the key planks in reer foresters, is run on a shoestring, Having visited Abkhazia in 2018, Abkhazia’s energy system. and is responsible for regulation and again at the end of 2019, I’ve Speaking with communities and conservation, and for manag- been offered the opportunity to tour across Abkhazia at the end of 2019, ing relatively small areas of forest much of the country as part of my the extent to which households rely for commercial timber. Hardwoods work looking at sustainable biomass on wood as a fuel became clear. in particular are a rare source of ex- use and its links with forest manage- Almost every home has a wood port revenue, with beech and chest- ment. Initially commissioned to look burning stove installed in the main nut finding ready markets in Turkey, at the opportunities around using living space, typically with an inte- Wood while some goes for domestic pro- hazelnut shells for space heating in grated oven and a hot plate in the “is also cessing into construction timber, homes and schools, the scope of my top for cooking. Many villages also used to flooring and other uses. work broadened to look at the use have apatshka, cook houses which It took me quite some time to of wood for heating more generally have a central fire pit for communal power the determine that the Abkhaz don’t re- – the hazelnut shells proving to be a use, and houses may also feature ubiquitous ally regard anything that isn’t 10m bit of a red herring. an open fire - an important source or more in height as an actual tree, of light when the power fails. Wood cha cha and they certainly don’t refer to the Unreliable electricity grid is also used to power the ubiquitous stills – the near-continuous belt of hornbeam, The biggest single use of wood in cha cha stills – the local spirit pro- local spirit alder, box and oak which stretches Abkhazia is for space heating and duced by double distilling the lefto- from one end of the country to the cooking by households, and for vers from wine production. other as ‘forest’. Despite most of heating schools and other public With total forest cover at around this looking like very respectable buildings - particularly in rural areas. 70%, and higher in rural areas, a cul- broadleaved forest to me, the Abk- The end of the Soviet Union and the ture of ad hoc forest management haz refer to it as scrub or thicket - civil war brought about the closure is present in every rural community something to be periodically cleared of the coal mines and the destruc- in Abkhazia, driven almost entirely for firewood and other uses, with tion of the heating systems in the by the fact that every household little thought for regulation or sus- public buildings that used it as a consumes 6-10m3 of fuel wood tainable management. The need to source of heat. This, coupled with each year. Village elders lament the provide knowledge and training for an unreliable electricity grid which changes they’ve seen since the So- the communities who rely on the still bears the deep scars of conflict, viet times, when all aspects of life in forests, and those that work in them means the importance of wood has Abkhazia were organised and regu- is clear, and has the potential to be increased over the last three dec- lated by the state, with the forestry genuinely transformative.

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New Defender set for April showroom debut

Eamonn Wall looks (200-240 bhp, 32mpg is claimed) engines, and a six-cylinder 400bhp forward to the new petrol. It is hoped that a six‑cylinder Land Rover Defender Land Rover diesel engine will follow in due course. Only an eight-speed he all new Land Rover De- automatic gearbox is available and fender has finally gone into air suspension is standard on the Tproduction and first deliveries 110. Coil springs will be an option in are due in April, after a gap in pro- the 90. The dash mounted gearstick duction of four years. allows the Defender to have the The new Defender uses an all-al- option of a central jump seat, thus uminium moncocoque body based giving the 90 capability to carry six on the one used in the current Dis- people and the 110 up to eight. covery 5, so out goes the rusty ladder frame chassis. It has permanent True off-roader four-wheel drive, twin speed auto The new Defender has been de- gearbox, central differential and op- signed to be excellent off road, a tional active locking rear differential. true off-roader, while also being With its square two box design, ver- good to drive on road. It has mini- tical rear end and side-hinged rear mal front and rear overhangs. It can door holding the spare wheel, the tow up to a 3500kg braked trailer. It new Defender does pretty much is built in a new £1.5bn factory in Slo- look like a modernised version of vakia joining the Discovery 5 whose the old model. A three-door 90 ver- production was moved there in au- all computer generated. The exterior sion and a longer five-door 110 ver- tumn 2019. The engines are built in lights look good but are not covered sion will be available. To start with, Wolverhampton. with a protective glass cover, mean- only the 110 version will be available, On the 110, the optional third row ing they will soon clog up with dirt I priced from £45,240 up to £78,800! two seats fold out of the rear floor. expect – a strange detail indeed. Eamonn Wall Its prices are more in keeping with With these folded away, the boot The model range comprises S, FICFor is a Discovery prices than those of the space behind the second row rear SE, HSE, First Edition and top of the forestry and old Defender. The 90 version will be seats is 1075 litres (Discovery 4 and range X. Four accessory packs are arboricultural cheaper and commercial versions 5 are 1260 litres) and 2380 litres (vs available, together with a range of consultant and of both will follow next year, priced 2558 litres in Discoveries) when the other accessories. director with from about £35,000. second row is folded. So the 110 is Land Rover has been inundated Eamonn Wall & Even though the new Defender certainly spacious. with orders for its new Defender. I Co Woodland was launched in September 2019, I do like the interior which is fairly look forward to driving one and see- Design and Tree supply chain issues have pushed simple but stylish, and the dials are ing them on the road. Management. back deliveries to April 2020 instead of January 2020. So at the time of writing, no one outside of Land Rov- er has actually driven the vehicles. Though I have sat in one which was making its way around the dealers before Christmas. It is interesting to compare the 110 version to the Discovery 4. The 110 is 5018mm long with spare wheel (4758mm without), 2008mm wide (mirror folded) and 1967mm high, with a turning circle of 12.84m. The Discovery 4 compares with a length of 4829mm, 2053mm width and 1891mm high, with a turning circle of 11.45m. The new Discovery 5 is longer again. To start with, the Defender is being launched with two-litre four- cylinder petrol (300bhp) and diesel The new Defender in action on the set of the new Bond movie No Time To Die

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 71 FORESTRY CONTRACTORS For&TimNews Plantoil 60x75mm_LayoutBIO-OILS 1 15/12/2011 11:36 Pa SHROPSHIRE FORESTRY CONTRACTORS Plantoil WANTED cares for the STANDING TIMBER ALL SPECIES INCLUDING SOFT WOOD environment ALL SPECIES AND GRADES OF TIMBER AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY ALSO OAK, ELM (PLAIN AND BURRS), BIG ASH AND FIGURED SYCAMORE TOP PRICES AND PROMPT PAYMENT F & TN CONTACT: JOHN HALL, FAIRACRES, COUNDMOOR, CRESSAGE, SHREWSBURY SY5 6AY Telephone: 01694 731621 CHAIN SAW OIL • 2-STROKE OIL • SAW BLADE OIL CLASSIFIEDS Fax: 01694 731624 Mobile: 07802 366653 FREEPHONE 0800 013 7363 www.plantoil.co.uk

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hen the Panama Canal was be- etc. Where possible the internal layout of ing built in the early 1900s, the tracks and paths helps too. Point one is: Wfl ooding of Gatun Lake, which ‘know the wood’s location’. would provide the main expanse of water Read also what3words report on p61. for the route, would mostly submerge only tropical rain forest. But this presented an Emergency contacts interesting problem. Many trees were too The second requirement is: know who to tall to be overtopped as the water rose to contact and how. Phone details of neigh- its new natural level and even more were bours, fi rst responders, nearest doctor, just below the surface. Thus, the transit countryside crime offi cer (we have a bril- route ships would take had to be cleared liant police offi cer whose ‘beat’ is our area of trees altogether, a stretch of over 20 of Hampshire) etc. Mostly mobile phone miles, before the lake was fi lled. Manual numbers will do for voice or text contact obvious point, but I recall my late mother, felling with saws and axes was slow and it and social media, but email addresses can when visiting our wood in her late 80s was decided to blow up many of the trees be also be useful though obviously not for would ask whether the route we took could instead. Sticks of dynamite were inserted emergencies. be smoothed (my wood is remarkably easy and the operatives ran for cover. No pro- walking) simply because she had lost much tective clothing was provided, they just had Know thy wood confi dence following a fall. For her, the haz- to hide at a ‘safe’ distance: there were nu- Thirdly, inspections of hazards, noting what ard of a small stick across the path was real, merous casualties. has shifted since last checked, or where a so an arm was proffered. Re-reading one of my favourite books – boundary has been breached, or danger- one telling the story of how the canal was ous spots like fi re ponds or rocky outcrops Legal requirements built – reminded me of the above. And it all help build the picture. These are physical Finally, know the legal requirements to prompts me to re-visit the basics of good hazards, but don’t forget ticks and snakes comply with H&S regulations and do car- woodland risk assessment and health and in the spring and summer. And it is good ry out risk assessments when you have a safety bearing in mind accidents can hap- practice to visit soon after a storm has group coming. Remember to have appro- pen. This is not in a form fi lling, boxing passed, especially if gusts of wind above priate signage and hazard warnings for ticking way, but in noting fi ve elements of 100kp/h (60mph) had been forecast. when you are not there and visitors, wel- good practice for any woodland owner and When I checked ours after the mid-January come and inwelcome, gain access. especially for the smaller owner with no storms there was no damage, but someone If you will allow a ‘fi nally, fi nally’ do en- staff to whom to delegate. had been in and left a calling card, a dead sure you have third party insurance of at squirrel beside the main track! least £5 million but preferably £10 million Know where you are and do think about your own wellbeing For me, the fi rst element is to have good Know thy visitor with an up-to-date fi rst aid box in your ve- maps and other geographic information so Fourthly, bear in mind the kind of people hicle. What about getting trained in fi rst that whenever or whoever has to come in likely to come, particularly their ages and aid? emergency has location details: the wood’s their experience or otherwise, and what By the way far, far more died in Panama name, postcode, national grid reference or they intend to do. A contractor coming during canal construction from malaria, GPS coordinates along with name of the to work in the wood is very different from yellow fever and other tropical diseases road or lane frontage, the nearest village a church group or weekend camp. It’s an than dodgy tree felling. Safe wooding.

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 73 Paul Vidgen FORESTRY IN PICTURES Forest Machines Ltd

“There is plenty space in Sutherland for Want to see your picture here? planting more trees without impacting on Forestry in Pictures is a regular feature in FTN. the world class scenery.” For every issue, we select the most impacting photograph sent by a reader. If you have a photo you would like to see published here, Colin MacKenzie took this picture of Ledmore Forest please send your fi le to Stefanie.kaiser@confor. and Cul Mor from Loch Borrolan, Sutherland. org. Please include your name, brief description Forest Keep, Watersplash Lane, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7QP of yourself and the picture and a credit. Photos should relate to forestry and timber Tel: 01344 873499 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pvfm.co.uk and be of high-quality (minimum resolution 300dpi). Exceptional pictures might be considered for the front cover of a future FTN issue. By submitting a picture to Forestry in Pictures you give Confor permission to use the ﬁ le for non-commercial purposes in Forestry and Timber News or the Confor website. Photos will Sole UK importers and always be credited. dealers for; AHWI/Prinoth, Naturatec, Bruks Chippers, Trevi Benne Forestry Attachments, UOT Scarifiers & Mounders, In April, we will run our traditional feature on Skills and Training, plus King Kong Carbide COMING UP IN a feature on Timber in Construction. Please get in touch by the end of Tools February if you would like to submit an article or news item for the skills APRIL – feature. Dealers for; BerCon GET INVOLVED Remember that FTN is your magazine – get in touch if you want to suggest Log Splitters, FTG editorial or give us feedback on articles we have published in the past. Baltic Trailers and Confor members, send us your company’s news updates or pitches for feature articles. Cranes.

74 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Paul Vidgen Forest Machines Ltd

Forest Keep, Watersplash Lane, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7QP Tel: 01344 873499 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pvfm.co.uk

Sole UK importers and dealers for; AHWI/Prinoth, Naturatec, Bruks Chippers, Trevi Benne Forestry Attachments, UOT Scarifiers & Mounders, King Kong Carbide Tools Dealers for; BerCon Log Splitters, FTG Baltic Trailers and Cranes.