Forestry & Timber News

FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS April 2020 Issue 98

COVID-19 A RESILIENT FORESTRY & TIMBER SECTOR

PLUS TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION SKILLS & CAREERS THE UK’S LARGEST & MOST EXCITING TREES & TIMBER SHOW

FEATURING…..

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300+ EXHIBITORS - 2½ MILES AND £60 MILLION OF WORKING MACHINERY Covid-19 Event going APF 2020 ahead 24/25/26th September Ragley Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5PS Email: [email protected] Website. www.apfexhibition.co.uk Tel: 01428 723545 Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram CONTENTS

52 | MARKETS TIMBER AUCTIONS MARKET Confor is a membership organisation REPORT that promotes sustainable forestry and FOREST MARKET REPORT wood-using businesses. Confor members receive Forestry and Timber News 65 | ENVIRONMENT for free as part of their membership. For NEW GROUP ADDRESSES more information on membership, visit FORESTRY PLASTICS USE www.confor.org.uk/join-us 66 | INDUSTRY FUNDING Past issues and articles can be accessed MAKING A DIFFERENCE: HOW online at AN INDUSTRY FUND COULD www.confor.org.uk/news/ftn-magazine NEWS & COMMENT CONTRIBUTE Non-member subscriptions: PENNY A TREE! £60 (£65 overseas). 5 | EDITORIAL

Please contact [email protected] 6 | GLOBAL PANDEMIC 69 | PESTICIDES NOTEBOOK COVID-19: CONFOR KEEPING YOU KEY FORESTRY PRODUCTS FOR INFORMED 2021: AN UPDATE

CONFOR CONTACTS 8 | 2020 BUDGET 70 | FORESTRY IN PICTURES Stuart Goodall Chief Executive 2020 TARGETS AND BUDGETS FOR [email protected] NEW PLANTING ACROSS THE UK FEATURES T: 131 240 1416 18 | NEWS 31 | FORESTRY SKILLS AND Andy Leitch CONFOR SPONSORS FOREST AND CAREERS Deputy Chief Executive [email protected] WOODLAND AWARD THE EDUCATION OFFER: Mob - 07881510171 HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUNDING NATIONAL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY FRAMEWORK FOR FORESTRY IN SCOTTISH SCHOOL OF FORESTRY Stefanie Kaiser ENGLAND BANGOR UNIVERSITY Communications and editor FTN T: 0131 240 1420 MACHINERY TRAINING FOR E: [email protected] 20 | ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS FORESTRY WORKERS CONFOR 2020 AWARD WINNERS ATTRACTING AND RETAINING A Dr Eleanor Harris HONOURED AT ANNUAL DINNER Policy Researcher QUALITY WORKFORCE T: 0131 240 1417 E: [email protected] 23 | CONFOR NEWS FORESTRY EDUCATION IN #THEFUTUREISFORESTRY ENGLAND – NOW YOU CAN GET

Caroline Ayre ESSAY PRIZE INVOLVED! National manager for England M: 07500 927482 CONFOR E-NEWS – KEEPING OUR Q&A WITH FORESTRY LECTURER E: [email protected] MEMBERS INFORMED ANDREW L SMITH QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS Jamie Farquhar REGULARS APF 2020 OFFERS WIDE RANGE National manager for Scotland M: 07817 374906 OF SKILLS AND TRAINING 12 | NEWS FROM MEMBERS E: [email protected] OPPORTUNITIES

20 | MEMBER PROFILE 56 | TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION Anthony Geddes National manager for Wales ANDREW SOWERBY, REGIONAL CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK T: 074 94079305 MANAGER, PRYOR & RICKETT ABOUT SUPPLY CHAINS E: [email protected] SILVICULTURE BRIDGING THE GAP – AN Confor head office and editorial office 25 | PLANT HEALTH ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSE 59 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2JG DEVELOPMENTS IN PLANT Q&A WITH THREE STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING 0131 240 1410 PASSPORTS SPECIFIC PREDATOR BREEDING DESIGN AND STRUCTUTURAL ENGINEERING [email protected] PROGRAMME TO MANAGE DENDROCTONUS MICANS CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE – THE NATURAL WAY www.confor.org.uk EARLY WARNING ON OAK LACE BUG WOOD FOR GOOD

For the latest news of forestry and wood sign up to #forestandwood on Twitter 30 | YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH COVER STORY PLANT HEALTH: THE NURSERY Confor has set up a Published by Countrywide Publications, PERSPECTIVE Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ Covid-19 information on behalf of Confor. 42 | COMPLIATION & REGULATION website for the forestry For advertising, contact Laura Munnings DEALING WITH DANGEROUS TREES and timber sector. 01502 725866 Visit www.confor.org.uk/ [email protected] 45 | MACHINERY covid-19 Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd MULCHING Design: A. Wrona

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A future beyond the crisis

STUART GOODALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CONFOR

® n my February article I spoke assist with. Questions are coming in Wolmanit CX of 2020 being an important to the email address above and we year that may just live up to have set up country contact groups Trusted preservative its billing. Well the story has which include businesses from along Iquickly changed to one far the supply chain. more dramatic and immediate. These contact groups are for high quality And at this time, we don’t know important for a number of reasons: what the conclusion is or even when Politicians and public bodies want that will come. to know what’s happening in the timber treatment What I do know, after more than sector and it’s important they get as 30 years spent in the industry, is full and accurate a report as possible that we are a resilient, practical and – this exercise also helps raise the inventive industry. I also know that profile of our industry further with we are privileged to work with trees them; and wood, something that society Members will also benefit from this needs and benefits from in so knowledge of what’s happening up many ways – there’s a bright future and down the supply chain; beyond this current crisis. There are important practical Within Confor we’ve set up a matters that will arise, for example service designed to help members we are a sector that works a lot with get easy access to relevant business forestry regulators and public sector and sector information, for example suppliers and they will be under from the forestry agencies. This can pressure – we need to establish new most effectively be accessed if we ways of working. have your up to date email address. If there is anything we can do for If you’re at all uncertain whether we you, do please get in touch with have it, please email C19Qs@confor. team members direct – their email org.uk and phone contacts are on the After developing the previous page. information service we We at Confor can’t protect you moved into a phase of from Covid-19 but we will do our better understanding what best to help you protect your member’s needs are at this business and your forests during time and what can Confor these difficult times.

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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 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Covid-19: Confor keeps you informed

onfor responded quickly to the stand the full range of their concerns enormous changes to all of our and are able to feed them [back] in to lives as the impact of Coronavi- the relevant governments and agen- Crus began to hit home - by es- cies, following a combination of a re- tablishing a web hub to share information active and a proactive approach. about how the forestry and wood process- “To support this, we established ing sector might be affected. country contact groups, led by Con- The hub - http://www.confor.org.uk/cov- for’s National Managers, to feed back id-19/ - was set up after Confor identified specific concerns from different parts an opportunity to share all relevant sector of the supply chain, from the nursery information - from industry, Government, sector through to sawmills and end us- public forestry bodies and all other stake- ers.” holders - with its 1600 members. There has also been very close contact “It was important to take a lead quickly with the public forest agencies in all parts and ensure that our members had access of the UK, with a specific emphasis on how to relevant information about Covid-19 in the current crisis will impact on site visits, one place,” said Confor CEO Stuart Goodall. felling licences, timber sales, procurement “There is a lot of anxiety around our health, and contracts. Mr Goodall has been in close but also about the future of the industry contact with all the public agencies in Eng- and we quickly realised Confor had to step land, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with up and do all it could to help the forestry Anthony Geddes, Confor’s National Man- and wood processing sector get through ager, leading in Wales. this. This has allowed reassuring messages “We are in uncharted territory and the to be shared quickly, via email, the website huge complexity of the situation means and social media, such as this from Mike that a central source of information is both Seddon, Chief Executive of Forestry Eng- useful and necessary.” land: “We aim to provide as uninterrupted service as possible for direct production, Early issues standing sales and other business opera- range of information and we encourage While the situation might have changed be- tions. We will continue to offer timber for feedback from all members. As well as the tween writing this and FTN publication, ear- sale through our e-sales platform.” normal contact points for Confor, we have ly issues are emerging around continuity of The web hub has shared a very wide established an email for you to ask ques- business operations especially key workers, tions about the impact of Covid-19 - which cashflow, possible impact on timber prices, Keeping our we will endeavour to answer quickly. The a range of supply chain issues and the im- email is [email protected] pact of potential reductions in demand for members informed “We are committed to doing all we can timber from key markets like construction. to find the answers to members’ ques- All the information about business support We will send out e-mail updates tions,” said Mr Goodall. “As I wrote in my - special schemes to help both large busi- once or twice a week. initial blog, Confor cannot protect you from nesses and SMEs, rates relief, help with tax Don’t miss out! Coronavirus, but we will do everything pos- payments and more - was quickly added 1. Check your spam folder for sible to help you protect your business and to the site, which was created by Confor’s Confor updates your forests from its impacts. Communications Manager Stefanie Kaiser. “I’m very pleased to see the great col- “The site - and the speed with which we Add us to your contacts laborative effort across the public and pri- established it - has been welcomed across 2. Please make sure we have your vate sector to get through this crisis - and the private and public sectors,” said Mr current e-mail address. I’m buoyed by the knowledge, gleaned Goodall. “As well as highlighting all informa- Contact [email protected] or from meeting people over 30 years, that tion we think is relevant and useful, we are [email protected] forestry and wood is a resilient, practical working with members to ensure we under- and inventive industry.”

6 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Worried about how Covid-19 is impacting your business activity? Email us your questions

E-mail your question: to: [email protected]

Country task Public Government Members groups sector information

If you have sector-specific questions about Covid-19, please get in touch with us. Confor is working hard to respond to all enquiries, Frequently asked questions can be found on the Covid-19 information hub and will be sent to Confor members in regular e-mail updates on Covid-19. www.confor.org.uk/covid-19/faqs

Country contact groups

The country contact groups are made up of members across the supply chain. They will be run by each of the National Managers and will: • provide knowledge and comment (initially on a weekly basis), including supply chain challenges >> • feedback on the tone and substance of Confor’s communications on Covid-19 - making sure it’s pitched right and says the right things • advise us as we seek practical solutions for businesses working with regulators, grant providers and public sector timber suppliers during periods of reduced staff numbers and limited personal contact Comms team • feed into our assessment of arising/future challenges and how government/public agencies can assist Stuart Goodall (CEO) [email protected]

Eleanor Harris (policy researcher) [email protected]

Stefanie Kaiser (Communications Manager) [email protected]

David Lee (public affairs consultant) [email protected] England Scotland Wales Neil Cuthbert (public affairs Caroline Ayre JamieFarquhar Anthony Geddes consultant) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Find up-to-date-information on www.confor.org.uk/covid-19

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 7 2020 BUDGET WE ARE UK tree planting prospects BATTERY ‘brightest for a generation’

he outlook for significant new tree planting in all parts of the ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND TUK is the brightest it has been POWER for a generation, according to Con- The Government an- In Wales, a major announce- In Scotland, which planted for Chief Executive Stuart Goodall. nounced it will invest £640 ment in March for a na- 84% of all new trees in the Mr Goodall highlighted a range million in new tree planting tional forest the length and UK in 2018/19 – 11,200ha of positive announcements – at UK and peatland restoration in breadth of Wales included out of 13,400ha in total level and in Scotland, Wales and England through the Nature £10 million of new funding - an extra £6 million was Northern Ireland – designed to drive for Climate Fund. for planting and woodland allocated to tree planting in up planting substantially. This is expected to drive restoration. This was wel- the recent Scottish Budget. This included the confirmation up annual planting in Eng- comed by Confor’s National The pipeline of new plant- by Defra that the UK Government land to contribute to the Manager for Wales, Antho- ing applications in Scotland target is to increase annual planting 30,000ha a year target for ny Geddes, who said: “This appears to be strong. In ad- to 30,000ha a year (of new wood- the whole (total annual) UK is a game-changer for for- dition, the ruling SNP party land creation) across the UK by (planting) by 2025. estry in Wales - and for the has signed up to a joint 2025 - exactly in line with Confor’s Slightly confusingly, the wider environment. Planting commitment with Confor to “ambitious but achievable” targets (new) total (planting) target millions more trees marks deliver 18,000ha a year in set in April 2019. for planting in England in a significant commitment Scotland by 2030. The scale of ambition at West- the period 2020-25 is also to tackling the Climate minster was underlined by the con- 30,000ha – this is intended Emergency, declared by the firmation of a £640 million fund for to increase annual plant- Welsh Government in March N. IRELAND tree planting and peatland restora- ing (rising) from less than 2019. This new funding can tion in England in the March Budget 1500ha now to around unblock the demand that In March in Northern Ire- by new Chancellor Rishi Sunak. 9000ha in 2024/25 (an av- we know is there and I look land, the Department of Stuart Goodall, Confor CEO, erage) of 6000ha/year over forward to seeing attrac- Agriculture, Environment said: “We have seen significant an- the next five years).. tive, high-quality planting and Rural Affairs pledged to nouncements across the UK which, schemes brought forward in target 900ha of new wood- if delivered on the ground, will Targets for new planting 2020.” The annual planting land creation annually - a mean we are making real progress (ha) by 2025 by country target in Wales is 2000 ha/ significant increase on the towards the UK target of 30,000 Scotland 15,000 year, rising to 4000ha/year 200ha being planted at the hectares of new planting annually “as soon as possible”. moment. by 2025. England 9000-10,000 “As we said last year, it’s an am- Wales 4000 bitious target, but an achievable Northern Ireland 900* >> *By 2030

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Forestry and Timber News Mar 20 - Jo Battery Top Handle.indd 1 21/02/2020 10:17:36 2020 BUDGET

>> one. We know the issues where we need to work hardest - nurseries, for Other 2020 budget key points for the example, who need confidence that the planting will happen and poten- forestry and timber sector tially investment support from Gov- ernment. We also require funding to Nurseries support the creation of new Region- Confor has briefed Defra and the forestry al Forestry Partnerships in areas in Minister Zac Goldsmith on the potential England like Northumberland where need for support for seed supply and there are particularly positive op- nurseries, and it is still hoped that detail on portunities for new planting. And, of these will be forthcoming in the next few course, we need to see processes for days. planting applications and approvals simplified and streamlined.” Red diesel in forestry Mr Goodall added a note of It was mooted in the press a few weeks ago caution: “We also need to continue that the entitlement to use red diesel would communicating positive messages be removed from agriculture (which for this for a possible future CCA Scheme. about modern productive forestry purpose includes forestry). Confor wrote to Details of the two year CCA extension are and how it can deliver on a range Defra pointing out the significance of red not yet published, but it may involve: of agendas - climate change mitiga- diesel for the industry, as did the farming An additional two years of CCA tion, rural growth and employment, • unions for agriculture. reporting, following the end of Target timber for wood products, biodi- The budget confirmed that “The Period 4 in 2020 (tbc) versity, flood risk reduction, recrea- government will remove entitlement to the An additional two years of CCL discount tional opportunities and much more. • use of red diesel and rebated biofuels from (tbc) As we become more successful as a April 2022, except for agriculture (including Opening the CCA Scheme to new sector, we will come under greater • horticulture, pisciculture and forestry), rail entrants (timing tbc) scrutiny. We have already seen neg- and for non-commercial heating (including Further information on the carbon and ative comment in the media about domestic heating).” While forestry has been energy elements of the budget are in this the carbon benefits of productive protected, this restriction will impact on summary from our CCA consultants Jacobs: planting – we need to maintain and use by sawmills and possibly businesses www.confor.org.uk/media/247659/ if possible increase our collective building forest roads. Confor has begun to budget-2020-carbon-and-energy- media activity to counter those who collect evidence on the potential impact of summary-v1.pdf simply want to undermine our work these ahead of lobbying Government. as well as to ensure those who now take an interest in trees and wood Other announcements products have access to the facts. • An extension of the Domestic Renewable “Overall, we are in a very posi- Heat Incentive for one year tive place and Confor will continue • For 2022/23 and 2023/24 a total of to work in partnership with all those £100 million grant-funding for organisations who recognise the households and small non-domestic huge value of trees to our economy, buildings to install heat pumps or environment and society.” biomass – the latter in limited circumstances • Energy innovation R&D funding doubled to £1bn • A Plastic Packaging Tax will be confirmed and consulted on • The Plug-in Car Grant is to be extended with a £403 million boost, to 2022-23; Plug-in Grants for vans, taxis and motorcycles will be extended to 2022-23. Carbon and energy (including Confor’s climate change agreement for sawmills) The Government announced that it would extend the Climate Change Agreement scheme by two years. More detail on the extended CCA Scheme will be published soon as part of a consultation to include long-term options

10 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Photo © The Crown Estate

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James Jones doubles I-Joist production capacity

The new, fully operational line will ed to off-site manufacturing. see the Timber Systems Division Speaking about the new JJI-Joist James Jones and Sons Ltd more line, Angus Macfarlane, General than double its production capac- Manager of James Jones and Sons’ ity, making it the largest, fastest and Timber Systems Division comment- most efficient I-Joist line in Europe. ed: “Housebuilders are under some The investment of £8.5m will not pressure to meet government’s new only significantly increase the pro- home build figures; we believe our duction capacity to 20 million lineal investment in the new facility comes metres a year, but will allow faster at a vital time and will enable us to production times. This increased support the UK’s construction indus- gram, significantly upgrading from production speed will ensure in- try and many of our loyal customers our existing software with improved creased stock levels and even better to meet these targets. compatibility and increased speed service for distributors and their end “Other innovations that we are of design. users. The final stage of the installa- launching in 2020 include a pre- “This recent investment follows tion took place in October 2019 and insulated I-Joist that not only pro- on from the £4.5 million installa- has been fully operational from the vides the necessary thermal proper- tion of a new finger jointing line in start of this year. In-line innovations ties required in roof design, but can 2015 and we are committed to sup- include a tension tester and preci- also provide enhanced acoustic per- porting a programme of continued sion end trim saws, which will help formance for floor and wall design. investment, allowing us to lead the reduce on site waste and maximise We have also recently launched our way in engineered timber products floor and roof design optimisation new ‘JJI Design’ software, a newly long into the future”. by cutting to specified lengths suit- built CAD based 3D modelling pro- www.jamesjones.co.uk

Pallet and packaging manufacturers call for reuse focus

Repair and reuse of wooden pallets has tion of new pallets for the first time ever. when a product has reached the end of risen sharply for another successive year Last month, TIMCON has called for gov- its useful life.” and now represents a greater volume of ernment to channel more resources into TIMCON is continuing to lobby the the market than new production, accord- promoting the reuse of packaging materi- government and devolved governments ing to a joint report by the Timber Pack- als before recycling. to consider this when it reviews future aging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) Stuart Hex, TIMCON general secretary, packaging waste targets. “We believe and the Forestry Commission. said: “TIMCON believes that reuse should current UK recycling targets, that rise The UK Wood Pallet & Packaging Mar- be encouraged over and above recycling – from 43% to 48% this year, are far too ket in 2018, estimated that a total of 46 this is of central importance to move the high, particularly when compared to the million wooden pallets were inspected UK towards a truly circular economy. If re- current EU target of 15%,” said Hex. and repaired in the market during 2018, use is possible, recycling merely to meet “Our industry has a fantastic track an increase of 3.6% on the previous year. targets is irrational. Keeping a product record in repairing and reusing its prod- With 44.9 million new pallets produced, working and in circulation should be our ucts. Only once they have been reused – the number of repairs surpassed produc- priority, with recycling taking place only often many times - do we recycle them into wood chips, animal bedding and other products, or used as biomass fuel.” TIMCON is encouraging businesses to make reuse a key part of their sustainability strategies. “Pallets and other wooden packaging materials absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as trees grow. Using them for as long as possible and continuing to store that carbon makes perfect sense to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint further,” said Hex. “We no longer believe that there is such thing as a ‘single-trip’ pallet.”

www.timcon.org

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Alba Trees MD Rodney Rapid response to Shearer steps down Trackplot’s first SOS alarm The managing director of Alba Trees plc, the UK’s largest producer of cell- In October 2019 Trackplot, the UK’s Conclusions grown plants, has decided to step leading remote lone worker moni- The McGowan site had very limited down on 2 March 2020, after being toring system, encountered their mobile phone reception, indeed with Alba for over 31 years. first real SOS alarm since the com- one of the employees had tried to Alba has grown significantly under pany’s conception in 2009. The sent a text message to the main of- Rodney’s leadership, its impressive swift escalation proved how reli- fice to request help, but it was not growth now sees Alba occupy 13ha of able and responsive the SOS pro- delivered until after the emergency land across two sites in East Lothian, cedure is, reassuring customers of services arrived. producing over 16 million trees in the the value of the system in a crisis. Despite living in an age when last financial year, which is the largest annual production SOS is integral to Trackplot’s re- the mobile phone dominates, the to date, and now employing over 60 people. mote lone worker monitoring sys- mobile network cannot be solely Jon Alexander, chairman of Alba said: “Craig Turner, tem, being one of the GPS device relied upon as a guaranteed meth- Chief Operations Officer, will continue to lead the busi- functions, and can be triggered in od of communication in an emer- ness. Craig joined the organisation in 2019 and has be- a life-threatening emergency. The gency, especially in rural and re- come a vital part of Alba’s continuing growth. Together GPS device works using satellites, mote locations. with Craig and the wider Alba team, we look forward to it does not need mobile phone sig- The incident demonstrates continuing Rodney’s legacy and fulfilling the ambitious nal, so a lone worker is able to raise the immediacy and rigour of the plans in place for the future of the company.” the alarm to rapidly locate their po- Trackplot system and proved the www.albatrees.co.uk sition even in remote regions. SOS escalation procedures work exceptionally well. It confirmed to The SOS event McGowan employees they can rely The SOS alarm was initiated by and trust in the system knowing Mike Tustin and John Trackplot customer McGowan, that help is on it’s way. environmental engineering spe- Clegg launch Tustins cialists, based in the Highlands of Scotland. The alert was raised by 2020 saw the launch of Tustins, a bespoke business McGowan employees, who were aimed at providing the highest levels of service for for- working in a remote part of the The incident estry sales, acquisitions and valuations throughout Eng- company site, when they unfor- demonstrates“ the land, Wales and Scotland. tunately discovered the body of a immediacy and rigour of The two directors of Tustins are certainly not new- missing walker from the local area. comers to this business and are well known throughout At 09.53 a McGowan employee the Trackplot system the UK forestry sector. Mike Tustin and John Clegg have pressed the SOS button on their Although the incident had a sad worked together over many years and have over 60 GPS device and the escalation pro- ending and nothing could be done years of forestry specific experience between them. cedure began. this time to save a life it’s reassuring Mike has wide ranging experience including at Abbey By 10.01 GEOS (Global Emer- to know the SOS escalation works Forestry, Tilhill Forestry, FIM, Nicholsons and John Clegg gency Operating System) in Hou- effectively ensuring a response as & Co. John was instrumental in building up John Clegg & ston, USA received the SOS mes- quickly as possible. Co after joining his father, also John, Angus Crow, Colin sage by satellite into their secure Ross Smith, director at McGow- Gee, David Taylor and Fenning Welstead in 1983. call centre. The call centre estab- an, explained “McGowan works fre- www.tustins.co.uk lished that the location of the SOS quently in remote, rural locations was in the UK and despatched an and to safeguard our employees alert to ARCC (Aeronautical Res- we use Trackplot. On 10 October cue Coordination Centre) to start 2019 the SOS button was activat- CONFOR WELCOMES the emergency response. In tan- ed by an employee on a remote NEW MEMBERS dem whilst this was happening Peatland Restoration Site near Roy the call centre also contacted the Bridge (Highland). Within 15 min- Thomas Bartlett (Gwynedd) nominated Emergency Contacts at utes an emergency services heli- Richard Coke (Fife) McGowan to verify if the SOS was copter was on-site and recovered Raymond & Katherine Henderson (Devon) real or a false alarm. the body of a deceased walker. Jonas Brandl (Devon) On confirmation that this was Through this experience our staff Caledonia Log Homes Ltd (Roxburghshire) a true SOS further details were and management are reassured Certis Europe B V (Cambridgeshire) gathered to brief the emergency that, if needed, the Trackplot sys- Dartmoor Woodfuel Co-operative (Devon) services as fully as possible. Within tem alerts the emergency services FutureArk Ltd (Midlothian) 15 minutes of the SOS alarm being who can respond extremely quick- Maristow Estate (Plymouth) raised, a helicopter landed on-site ly and exactly where required.” Orris Stevens (Devon) supported by the police. Shillofad Limited (Gloucestershire) www.trackplot.com

14 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Come and see us at

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Andrew Sowerby, Regional Manager at Pryor & Rickett Silviculture shares his passion for technical forestry, the community of the south Wales valleys and how playing the banjo can be the antidote to forestry. He was talking to Anthony Geddes

ven in his early years it’s fair to say Andrew was aware of looking after the environment, from the hole in the ozone layer be- Eing reported on Newsround to Scout masters taking him and friends into the great outdoors for hiking and camping trips. The crunch point for the career path of forestry came when at 15, he completed the career guidance questionnaire. Andrew recounts “My questionnaire returned Game Keeper and Forester and on balance being a forester was appealing because it had a connection to the wilderness, I was aware of climate change and instinctively tree planting was a positive thing to do.” Having completed his A-levels he chose Aberdeen due to family links to Scotland and Perthshire but then had the opportu- If we can look after our nity to study as a student exchange at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver followed by a year working with the North- woodlands and trees ern Ireland Forest Service in Limavady. At this point it became clear just how broad a church forestry was, “it has so well as a society, then many disciplines and you can earn a living working in the forest or at a strategic/policy level, I’m grateful that doing a degree in we should feel secure forest management at Aberdeen prepared me for the widest range of work opportunities on graduating.” that we can look after Being a Yorkshireman originally, Wales wasn’t initially part of the grand master plan but in 2001 Andrew was offered a role each other too as a Planning Forester in the South Wales Valleys in 2001. He recounts that it wasn’t quite what he had anticipated. “Moving to Neath and latterly Pontypridd where I’ve lived for 16 years was quite surreal. It was like Yorkshire but with more hills, trees and

16 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK vice and fairness. The characteristics the or- comfort zone and join a private firm. Pry- ganisation enjoyed in that period brought a or & Ricket offered him a post as a forest sense of belonging with support, patience, manager based from their Brecon office. camaraderie and trust. “Switching to work in the private sec- “As a young man, I became a forester tor was a really exciting time, the scale at because I wanted to protect the environ- which I worked shrank yet the range of re- ment and work outdoors. My experience sponsibilities I had for individual properties with the Forestry Commission and my ex- was myriad. Having worked for 15 years in perience with mentors long retired or col- lots of different functions within forestry: leagues still working in Resolfen or Llanym- planning, harvesting, policy, team leader- ddyfri has evolved that. I work in forestry ship, now I had the chance to work across now because the public, my colleagues and 10-15 disciplines at a time, one minute ush- the forests both current and future need ering sheep into their rightful pasture the us to be our most professional to achieve next minute negotiating an annual budget the most we can. If we can look after our for a multi-purpose woodland with man- woodlands and trees well as a society, then aged public access. “ we should feel secure that we can look af- The change has been a successful one ter each other too.” with Andrew being appointed Regional Manager West at Pryor & Rickett Silvicul- One country in a valley ture last December, he’s matter of fact The Forestry Commission provided train- about the challenge. “The lows in the pri- ing and experience as a planning forester, vate sector come when plans don’t meet harvesting contracts manager and through the budget you expected. There is no hid- a secondment to Welsh Government the ing, you have to deliver on your commit- chance to develop policy and guidance. ment and answer for the short comings. Among notable accolades writing the For- But, the highs of winning work competi- estry Commission’s operational guidance tively and delivering as planned is great. for Forest Design Planning then leading Knowing you can provide safe, quality work teams in Forest Planning at District and on price for the client is a brilliant feeling”. National level provided a unique chance to As well as being a full-time forester, his put his stamp on the forests of Wales. position as a Fellow on Council for the In- A less desirable opportunity ensued stitute of Chartered Foresters has provided the wonderfully expressive Welsh accent.” with the outbreak of Phytopthora ramo- opportunities to give back, mentoring new Keen to understand the locals he immedi- rum. “Leading the Harvesting Team in foresters (old and young) in the profession. ately started to learn Welsh and impres- South Wales during the years of peak har- As Andrew describes it “in thanks for the sively achieved a pass at A-Level in 2016. vesting of larch in the Phytopthora ramo- start I had in Resolfen way back in 2001”. rum outbreak was the most challenging The Welsh Governments tree planting Starting out in the Valleys privilege.” work in Uganda (www.mbalecoed.org.uk) The technical detail of working in the val- Amongst the largescale felling and re- is a project he remains engaged with; “my leys is something that really appealed to structuring of the estate, Andrews role as one wish for forestry would be for society Andrew and as a young forester he learnt Harvesting Team Leader was intricately to find joy in woodlands that’s eluded them to cope with steep slope harvesting, estab- linked to safety in the public estate. His to date.” lishing crops on soils with mining heritage, team of 15 supported the delivery of com- landscape design and entire streets of ter- plex long-term contracts on very difficult, Away from the trees raced housing as adjoining land owners. usually steep sites with lots of public ac- This man is not good at saying No! “Get- He remarks “The South Wales Valleys is a cess. This put him in a good position to ting away from trees and the necessities great place to start your forestry career, understand how and why things didn’t of work is always a challenge, a difficult people are naturally outgoing and friendly, always go to plan. “We investigated hun- lesson. My family are very patient with me you’re close to towns and cities as well as dreds of near misses, reacted and investi- but these days we don’t go for too many the countryside and the scenery is epic gated many hospitalisations and sadly one woodland outings. My wife Esther and our with a wildness that your rarely get in na- fatality in August 2015, it was humbling to boys attend St Catherine’s Church in Pon- tional parks “ say the least.” typridd and I’m grateful that we’re ground- Despite all the silvicultural and social ed in a community of faith. Playing guitar in reasons for loving life in the Valleys what A new direction church or learning bluegrass banjo as well really anchored him to life in the Forestry After 15 years in the public sector, the op- as extended family help me step away from Commission was the sense of public ser- portunity arose to take a step outside his work.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 17 NEWS

Confor sponsors new Forest and Woodland Award

new Forest and Woodland Award ratively, with the aim of promoting more has been established as part of planting and sustainable woodland man- ARSPB’s annual Nature of Scotland agement. I’m really pleased that we are in- Awards, and Confor has agreed to be its volved in the Awards and look forward to first sponsor. working with RSPB on this and other pro- The high-profile Awards programme jects. - which celebrates the “inspiring people, “There are many examples of Confor projects, groups and organisations across members planting and managing excel- different aspects of nature conservation in lent, multi-purpose woodlands and I would Scotland” – is open for entries and Confor encourage them to consider entering this members are encouraged to apply. award so we can showcase modern forest- forester, a community making the most Stuart Goodall said: “We are delighted ry on a high-profile stage.” of your local woodlands or a farmer and to be sponsoring this new award, which The Forest and Woodland Award is other land manager exploring innovative celebrates sustainable forestry and wood- open to individuals, businesses, communi- new approaches which bring benefits for land champions. ties or organisations who are creating and/ wildlife and people. Applicants with forests “Our involvement reaffirms Confor’s or managing woodlands. and woodlands of all types and scales will commitment to positive partnership work- The description of the award says: be considered, from small woodlands or ing. Our approach is to engage with groups “Whoever you are, you will be going above urban planting schemes through to land- interested in the natural world and identify and beyond standard practice, and plac- scape-scale projects.” areas where we can work together con- ing nature and wildlife at the heart of your More information about the Awards is structively and tackle challenges collabo- activities. You might be a wildlife-friendly available at Have your say on the funding framework for forestry in England

he government’s consultation • Tier 3: delivering transformational on Environmental Land Man- land-use change Tagement (ELM) is now open. Confor will be responding to the Westminster has released pro- consultation and we will circulate posals that set out the initial think- our response to members. Members ing on the design of the new ELM are also encouraged to submit their • Substantial support for a scheme for funding for farming and own responses. Important points to transformational increase in land management, which will re- make could include: woodland creation for multiple place the Common Agricultural Pol- • A recognition that production is benefits. icy. It does not intend to set out the not just about food. Environmental Land Manage- detailed delivery arrangements for • Recognition of the UK Forestry ment is part of a wider government ELM. The responses from stakehold- Standard as a level of sustainable strategy for the countryside, includ- ers will help to inform the detailed practice ing aspects such as plant health, scheme design policy for both the • Recognition of the UK regulatory culture, and the transition national pilot (due to start in late Woodland Assurance Standard as from existing farm subsidies. 2021) and for the start of the full independently-audited ELM scheme in 2024. We anticipate sustainable forest management GET INVOLVED that there will be a full consultation and the Grown in Britain Chain of on the detailed scheme design at a Custody Standard For links to the full policy document and to the later date. The proposals are based • A level playing field for all land consultation page, visit our Consultations page on on three tiers: uses, with integrated land www.confor.org.uk (Resources/Consultations). The • Tier 1: encouraging sustainable use encouraged consultation is open until 5 May 2020. practices among all land • A recognition of the importance If you respond to the consulta-tion, please let managers. of active woodland management Caroline Ayre know ([email protected]). • Tier 2: delivering locally- • A recognition of the work done Please also contact Caroline if you have any appropriate environmental by landowners to maintain good questions about ELM. outcomes. plant health

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 19 CONFOR FORESTRY DINNER AND AWARDS 2020

Confor 2020 award winners honoured at annual dinner

wo young foresters and five sector of the people who nominated her. She won Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, stalwarts were honoured at Confor’s the award ahead of fellow finalists Cheryl Scottish Government. Mr Ewing later said: Texpanded awards dinner, in what was Lundberg (Lockhart Garratt) and Andy “The awards dinner was a fantastic cel- described as “a fantastic celebration of a Baker of Tilhill. ebration of a successful, growing industry. successful, growing industry”. The third new award, for Innovation I was delighted to see young professionals Young forest manager Andrew Mac- & Research, went to long-serving James honoured for making their mark alongside Queen of Tilhill won the Future Forestry Jones & Sons haulage manager Jon Ritch- those who have given decades of outstand- Leader Award, with Laura Charles of For- ie, with Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber and ing service.” estry England and Huw Lloyd of Lockhart the Northern Research Station (Forest Re- Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Con- Garratt also shortlisted. George Moore, Ex- search) the other finalists. Jon’s nomination for, said: “Martin Gale was one of the driv- ecutive Director of the Royal Scottish For- said that in 35 years with James Jones, he ing forces in the establishment of Confor estry Society, in one of two nominations for had used the firm’s haulage fleet as “an im- in 2005 and has always provided his time Andrew, said: “Very occasionally, one comes pressive test bed for a variety of innovative generously to support industry bodies.” Mr across someone with star quality - Andrew and industry leading initiatives to improve Gale said the industry had a bright future definitely has this.” the health safety and welfare of drivers”. because “wood was the raw material of the Tom Bruce Jones, Chairman of James The Dedicated Service to Forestry Award 21st century”. Jones & Sons, said the company had sup- was presented to Martin Gale, Chairman of A special award went to Sir Harry Stud- ported the Future Forestry Leader Award BSW Timber, by Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet holme, who stepped down in February after in memory of his father Tom A Bruce Jones, seven years as Chair of the Forestry Com- who died in 2019: “He was a great supporter Top (l-r): PK Khaira-Creswell (company), Jamie mission. Mr Goodall said: “Sir Harry served of developing talent and leadership, not just Farquhar (Confor), Laura Charles (Forestry as chair during a period of great change at James Jones, but across the whole indus- England); guest speaker Forestry Minister in the Forestry Commission, and provided try.” Fergus Ewing MSP waiting to be called; David a calm presence. I have always found him and Dorothy Sulman received a special award. Mima Letts, Founder of Tree Sparks, re- Below (l-r): Sarah Virgo (Wood for Good), to be a gentleman, generous with his time, ceived the Changing Attitudes Award for Leona Baillie (SAC) and Daniela Thule (Crown hugely knowledgeable and truly passionate her work to inspire young people to con- Estate); winner of the Award for Dedicated about forestry.” sider careers in an “exciting and awesome” Service – Martin Gale (BSW) – with Sir Harry There was also a special presentation to Studholme (former Head of the Forestry industry. The Trainee Forester at Chatsworth David and Dorothy Sulman, who have re- Commission) who also received a Special House, a graduate of Bangor University, was Award; and two of the organisers, David Lee tired after decades of combined service to described as “an inspiration to us all” by one and Stef Kaiser the forestry and timber industry.

20 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK THE WINNERS CHANGING INNOVATION & FUTURE FORESTRY ATTITUDES AWARD RESEARCH AWARD LEADER AWARD

to be presented to “an individual or business for a business or individual delivering for “an individual with outstanding skills, promoting the forestry and wood sector successful innovation and/or research which who has the potential to be a leader in in a positive and impactful way – through has clearly demonstrated greater productivity the forestry and timber sector – someone personal engagement, campaigning or or efficiency in the forestry and wood showing initiative, passion and making a communication, social media or other ways.” industry. Sponsored by Forestry Commission/ real difference”. Sponsored by James Jones Sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd. Forestry & Land Scotland. & Sons Ltd.

Winner: Mima Letts Winner: Jon Ritchie Winner: Andrew MacQueen Founder, Tree Sparks, and North Area Supply & Haulage Manager, Forest Manager, Tilhill trainee forester James Jones & Sons “It was very humbling to be chosen for “I am absolutely chuffed to have been “It was great achievement to pick up the this award. Thanks to Richard Davidson nominated and win the Changing Attitudes award for “Innovation and Research” and & George Moore for the nomination and Award at Confors annual awards dinner for thanks to Mick Bottomley who nominated to James Jones for the award itself. The the work I have done with Tree Sparks to me. I think overall this is great for the outlook for the future is filled with both promote the forestry sector in a positive timber transport side as it has been optimism and significant challenges. and engaging way. After stumbling into recognised for all its good work over the My personal aspiration is to embrace studying forestry, it has now become my years. I would also like the thank James complexity in the forest as I believe life and I want to make sure others are not Jones & Sons Ltd, my employer, as they diversity in both species and structure only aware of what forestry is and how encourage us to look for innovative ideas holds part of the key to safeguarding and cool it is, but that it is also a viable and and then give us the back up.” enhancing our precious resource.” hugely rewarding career choice”.

Also nominated for the awards were Also nominated for the awards were Also nominated for the awards were • Cheryl Lundberg, Senior Forestry • Present and former staff of the Northern • Huw Lloyd, Assistant Forestry Consultant, Lockhart Garratt Research Station Consultant, Lockhart Garratt • Andrew Baker, Forest Manager, Tilhill • Tom Barnes, Vastern Timber • Laura Charles, Business Development Forestry Manager, Forestry England

Pictured with Mima (centre) are Cheryl Pictured with Jon Ritchie (centre, right) Pictured (left to right) Laura Charles, An- Lundberg and Andrew Baker are present and former staff of the drew MacQueen and Huw Lloyd Northern Research Station xxxxxxxx (left), Dr Mariella Marzano (centre left) and Dr Darren Moseley (right)

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 21 ForestryForestry AttachmentsAttachments

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22 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK CONFOR NEWS

#TheFutureIsForestry essay prize

enny Knight has won #TheFu- motivated to plant more trees to deliver a wide Paterson, former Graduate Rural Surveyor tureIsForestry essay prize for range of benefits, especially mitigating climate with Davidson and Robertson, while film- Jchallenging the premise that change?’ maker Chris Court was third. farmers and landowners need to be Judges said: “Jenny Knight set up the con- Stuart Goodall, Confor CEO, said: “It motivated to plant trees. text for the discussion quickly, then questioned was disappointing to have to postpone The accompanying video prize was the question - and delivered a very coherent the awards and then cancel them after won by Dan Haslam and colleagues and persuasive argument as to how we can such a strong set of entries. However, we from Scottish Woodland Ltd, for a move forward, focused on relationship-building, are delighted to reward Jenny, Alex and El- forestry and wood spin on Monty Py- communication and challenging perceptions. len for their excellent essays and Dan and thon’s What Have the Romans Ever She also identified very specific logistical prob- the team, Pippa and Chris for their videos. Done for Us? lems at local level that must be addressed.” The current crisis will throw up long-term The awards were due to be pre- The runner-up in the essay prize was Alex challenges for forestry, timber and the rural sented at Westminster by Defra Min- Malkin, ex-Tilhill Forestry, now working at Nor- economy and it is great to see such crea- ister Lord Goldsmith on 24 March, but bury Park, Staffordshire. Ellen Humphrey of tive thinking going on.” the event was cancelled due to Coro- Coed Cymru was placed third. Three entries Mr Goodall also thanked the competi- navirus - after initially being delayed were highly commended in a very high-quality tion sponsors Tilhill, BSW Timber and For- from last November when the general competition: Nathan Adams, a Bangor Universi- estry Commission for their tremendous election was called. ty Masters student who works with Focus Con- support. The essay-writers and film-makers sultants; Jay Williams, former Masters student, The winning essays will be published in were asked to tackle the question Harper Adams University; and Maeve Wright, of FTN over the coming months, and both the (in up to 1500 words or a short film): legal firm Anderson Strathern. essays and videos are available on the Con- ‘How can farmers and landowners be The runner-up in the video prize was Pippa for website.

Confor enews – keeping I am not receiving your e-newsletter – what can I do? our members informed 1 Check your spam or clutter folder We use the mainstream e-mail marketing platform Mailchimp for our e-newsletter. Security filters are In order to improve our information services to our constantly changing and on occasions, mailings sent out members, we are making some changes to our Confor SPAM via Mailchimp will end up in your junk or clutter mail folder, e-newsletter: despite measures taken to avoid this. Please rescue our e-newsletter • More frequent: The e-newsletter will be sent out and add it to your contacts. When opening the e-newsletter for the monthly from mid April 2020 first time, you might not see images. You will be invited to right click • More mobile friendly: We are looking to adjust our on an image to download graphics in the newsletter. design for a better content display if you read content 2 Do we have your e-mail address? on your smartphone The Confor e-newsletter is a benefit for all members of • Reviewed content: we will be reviewing the content @ Confor. This includes employees of member companies. to be prioritised in the e-newsletter. Do we have your e-mail address? Our e-newsletter only goes to members in our database who have provided GET INVOLVED us with their e-mail address. Check your contact details with Liz Hughson at [email protected] We welcome your feedback, please get in touch Are you an employee of a member company? We put all main with any feedback on how we can further improve contacts of Confor member companies on the mailing list, but not our information services. all employees. There are two easy ways for employees of member [email protected] companies to sign up to the e-newsletter mailing list: • Get hold of an e-news and go to the ‘sign up’ button • Go to www.confor.org.uk>About Confor>Subscribe

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24 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK PLANT HEALTH

Developments in plant passports

Following publication of the article Standard plant passports (Commission in October 2019’s Forestry & Timber Implementing Regulation 2017/2313 An- News – ‘All you need to know about nex Part A) must also be used when mov- plant passporting’ – there have been ing Juglans (walnut), Platanus (plane) and further developments since the Plant Pterocarya (wingnut) with or without bark and professional operators must again be Health Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 registered and authorised with the Forestry (PHR) was implemented on 14 Commission. December 2019. Below, the Forestry A good proportion of professional op- Commission Plant Health Forestry erators have already registered and been team provides updates on its most authorised by the Forestry Commission to recent understanding of timber issue plant passports. More take up by the plant passporting and how you can trade is required. Where chain of custody register to continue moving wood, and other assurance schemes require that wood products and bark within GB all relevant legislation should be followed, and to the EU. this will now include registration and the authorisation to issue plant passports for timber. rotected zone plant passports must For access to the online registration now be used when professional op- system go to www.gov.uk/guidance/reg- Perators – for example processors, ister-as-a-professional-operator-to-issue- management companies, timber merchants, plant-passports. It takes about 20 minutes hauliers and owners – move all conifer and to complete. Standard plant passports must be used Castanea (includes sweet chestnut) wood To modernise protections against tree when moving walnut with or without bark. with bark. Plant passports apply to wood, pests, the new plant health regulations wood products and isolated bark. Profes- came into force on 14 December 2019 as Pest codes sional operators moving this type of mate- part of the EU’s Smarter Rules for Safer rial must now be registered and authorised Food (SRSF) package (www.gov.uk/gov- The use of codes for pests has evolved by the Forestry Commission to issue plant ernment/publications/smarter-rules- over the last year and the position has passports. for-safer-food-what-we-are-doing/ now been finalised. Plant passports smarter-rules-for-safer-food). The must show either the European regulations will apply to the UK dur- and Mediterranean Plant Protection ing the EU exit transition period Organisation which ends on 31 December 2020. (EPPO) codes for pests or use the When the transition period ends the scientific name for pests. The table regulations will be retained by the below lists the protected zone pest Withdrawal Act and will continue to codes which are acceptable for forestry apply – subject to any amendments material. Plant passports showing the UK Parliament may agree. We previous EU regulation pest codes will continue to use the plant pass- can be accepted in the short term for port system and the new plant movement within GB. passport format. The Forestry Commission has Table of pest codes liaised with forest industry stake- Scientific name EPPO code holders to agree a plant passport Dendroctonus micans DENCMI system that reduces the burden Ips amitinus IPSXAM on the wood processing and for- Ips cembrae IPSXCE estry sector. The Forestry Com- mission has also contacted a Ips duplicatus IPSXDU range of stakeholders, including Ips sexdentatus IPSXSE the arboriculture and firewood Ips typographus IPSXTY sectors, to explain the plant Cryphonectria parasitica ENDOPA passport system to increase the number of An annotated (red text) example of a stakeholders registered and authorised. protected zone plant passport for conifer As more detail has become available Please contact the Forestry species moving within GB (England, with different supply chains, the priori- Commission Plant Health Forestry Wales and Scotland). For sweet chestnut, tised plant passport system has evolved team using plant.health@ Castanea would replace Pinales at Section to respond to this detail, with the aim of forestrycommission.gov.uk if you A and the pest codes IPSXAM, IPSXDU, maintaining a pragmatic and reasonable have any queries. IPSXTY would be replaced with ENDOPA. approach.

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26 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK PLANT HEALTH

Specific predator breeding programme to manage Dendroctonus micans

Nick Fielding and Commission and Scottish Forestry. These here would have very serious implications Katy Dainton, flights look equally at trees on both the pri- for the round wood trade to Ireland. vate and public forest estate. The surveys The rearing and release programme is Forest Research, on look for the presence of many different at present undertaken by Forest Research Rhizophagus grandis pests and diseases, but are ideal for find- with financial assistance from Forestry ing dead tree tops (a classic symptom of England, Scottish Forestry, Forestry and rearing and release attack by the spruce bark beetle), often in Land Use Scotland and by an annual dona- 2018-2020 remote areas. Any suspicious findings are tion made by the members of Confor. The then followed up by ground surveys to con- donation made by members of Confor is ollowing the discovery, during 1982, firm the presence (or absence) of a pest or very welcome and important to the con- of the spruce bark beetle Dendroc- disease. tinuing programme, as it is often the case Ftonus micans breeding in the spruce During 2018, 147 affected woodlands that many small private sites cost relatively forests of Wales and the border counties, were treated with a programme of rearing and release of R grandis; 84 of the specific predator Rhizophagus grandis these sites were in has been managed by Forest Research on private ownership. behalf of the UK forest sector. Predators During 2019, 95 af- have been reared and released into affect- fected woodlands ed woodlands since 1985, with the aim of were treated with the slowing down the spread and reducing the predator; 50 of these impact of this very damaging pest. sites were in private The R grandis rearing programme has ownership. So far, we now been fully moved into new facilities at are aware of 180 sites Forest Research’s Northern Research Sta- (about half of these tion at Bush near Edinburgh, and we have are in private own- recruited an assistant to deal with the day- ership) that require to-day running of the programme. This treatment during has meant that the insect cultures are be- 2020. We are aiming ing maintained and monitored on a more to increase produc- regular basis than was possible in the past. tion of predators for As a result, we have managed to increase release during 2020, production of the predators and this has as there are more sites requiring treatment more to treat than large woodland blocks. in turn led to us being able to treat all the and we intend to release larger numbers Since 1985, Forest Research has reared sites that required releases of the predator of predators in affected sites in western and released over 250,000 beetles into during 2018 and 2019. Forest Research is Scotland where D micans is moving slowly nearly 5000 infected woodlands. We will notified of infected sites by private own- closer towards the Pest Free Area. A large never be able to eradicate this pest but by ers and agents, Forestry England, Forestry amount of effort is being put into moni- continuing to rear and release the preda- and Land Use Scotland and following the toring this area of western Scotland as it tor it is possible to reduce the effect of helicopter surveillance flights undertaken is very important to keep D micans out of the beetle and to slow down it’s spread by the plant health staff of both Forestry this Pest Free area. A discovery of the pest through the spruce woodlands of the UK.

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28 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK PLANT HEALTH

Early warning on oak lace bug Dr David Williams and Dr John Morgan

ur oak trees are under threat from pests like the Ooak processionary moth (OPM) so it is unwelcome news to hear that there is a new potential threat – already well-established in southern and central Europe. The oak lace bug (OLB) Corythu- cha arcuata is an invasive insect from North America and was first detected in Italy in 2000. Since its accidental introduction it has spread rapidly and is now found in over a dozen other European countries, but has not been reported in the UK. In Hungary and Croatia its population level has raised serious concerns about the impact that it may have on oak health. There is little published information on OLB. Within its natural range it is generally regarded as a nuisance ing the summer. During winter the untary ban on imports from those pest causing only incidental damage adults can survive either in the fallen regions in southern Europe where and occasionally premature leaf fall. leaf litter or in the deeper bark crev- OLB is present. Hardwood mills and However, within Europe there is con- ices of standing trees and timber. timber merchants have been work- siderable variation in its reported im- It is considered likely that the pest ing with the Forestry Commission pacts. As such there is a real need to has been moved inadvertently over to develop a system of voluntary coordinate research and investigate longer distances through hitch-hik- controls to ensure that imports of what factors affect the development ing on various modes of transport oak logs are fully traceable to those of OLB and whether it is likely to be- and through the trade in oak trees or regions where OLB is not known to come a damaging factor to oak. the movement of timber with bark. be present. Timber buyers are famil- iarising themselves with the symp- The pest Slowing spread to toms of infestation through the Although very small, lace-winged northern Europe Observatree identification guide to adults can produce 2-3 generations There is little that can be done to help them to detect OLB. This infor- Dr David per year which cause damage in a stop the natural movement of the mation will then be shared to avoid Williams is similar way to aphids by feeding on pest but we can slow its spread by bringing in logs from new regions Entomologist at leaf sap. The first signs of feeding reducing the opportunity for it to be where OLB has become established. Forest Re- damage are small, yellow spots on introduced accidentally. The move- search and Dr the upper leaf surface, often con- ment of oak trees into the UK is al- Future monitoring by John Morgan, centrating around the leaf veins. As ready regulated under the protected Forest Research Head of Plant damage increases with each new zone measures for oak procession- This year we are planning to set up Health, Forestry generation, large yellow and bronze ary moth (OPM). Those regions in an early-warning system using a Commission. coloured areas appear on leaves and Europe with OLB also have OPM, so network of sticky traps where OLB Dave Williams heavy infestations cause premature the same measures already reduce has the potential to enter England is heading up leaf drop. Damage to the leaves is the risk of it being introduced on through ferry ports. Trapping will be an international visible during the summer months imported planting material. While assisted by Observatree volunteers, team of experts and tends to progress through the there are no equivalent controls for as well as by traps located at some who are col- year from July to September. This oak timber, there are not known to of the larger hardwood log yards laborating on can reduce growth and weaken be any imports of roundwood from where stores of imported timber are a Euphresco trees, making them more suscepti- regions where OLB is known to be held prior to processing. project to try ble to other pests and diseases. established. Through this partnership ap- to understand proach, the aim is to minimise the the threat that Potential to spread How the hardwood risk of introducing OLB to the UK by OLB represents from Europe timber sector is helping accidental means and to provide the to oak trees Insects spread locally as adults fly In the UK, the main importers of oak best prospects for early detection throughout or are blown to new tree hosts dur- roundwood have proposed a vol- and action in the event it does arrive. Europe.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 29 YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH

Plant health: the nursery perspective

Charles Beaumont, What steps are nurseries taking? Trees Please, on behalf All NPG nurseries will, by now, have of the Confor Nursery biosecurity policies in place which Producers Group serve to highlight the points at which plants may become at risk from P&Ds. Simple boot washing facilities pluck some low hanging fruit from s we travel through the will be found on all nurseries and the trees. It is likely that the mem- year of 2020, the im- most nurseries will work closely with bers of Confor’s NPG will form part pact of Covid-19 on hu- their agronomists and plant health of their early diet. UKPHAS, which Aman health may make advisers/inspectors. Our plants have is now known as “Plant Healthy”, is it hard to focus also on the huge to pass three inspections by external based around a Plant Health Man- importance of plant health. Great expert inspectors every year and, at agement Standard (PHMS) that en- Britain sits proudly as an island na- Trees Please we are lucky in that our compasses a chain of custody. The tion and should have an advantage local Defra inspector lives only two PHMS is based on a risk-based ap- when it comes to protecting itself miles away and can drop in on his proach, which requires a business from pests and diseases (P&D) that way home if we find something that or organisation to conduct risk as- visit us from abroad but, in practice, makes us nervous. We inspect all of sessments on the critical control membership of a ‘common’ market our 40 million plant growing stock at points within their operations. This and ever more open borders have least once a week during the grow- reduces the risk of introducing pests made it hard for us to profit from ing season involving the production to their site(s) to a level that ensures this. manager and the spray operators an Appropriate Level of Protection Of course, British nurseries have each time – between us we have (ALOP). not always behaved sensibly or over 100 years of experience! There One of these risks, of course, is carefully towards preventing infec- is always something more that one the trade of plants from one nursery tion. In 2012, forest nurseries were can do and this year we have started to another irrespective of whether largely negligent in the importation testing our irrigation water for signs those plants are crossing a border. and rapid spread of Ash dieback of Phytophthera and other potential In this instance, a risk analysis will which served to highlight the nadir problems – so far, nothing to report. have to be carried out with reference of a long decline in woodland plant- to the UK Plant Health Risk Register ing (and consequent nursery ca- UK Plant Health which now carries details of over one pacity) that had started with a well Assurance Scheme thousand pests. The downside is that meaning but ill judged tax change in On 20 February, the UK Plant Health we will all have to produce much 1988. Assurance Scheme (UKPHAS) was more documentation but the upside By 2012, Dutch climate advantag- launched with great fanfare by is that our businesses, and all the na- es meant that it was much cheaper Prince Charles at Kew. Whilst this tive flora of the UK, should be very for nurseries to import one-year-old has had a gestation period that much safer. From the customers per- Ash than to spend two years grow- would test the patience of an Afri- spective, it should be possible within ing it at home. This much regret- can elephant, it is now suckling hard a couple of years to shun businesses ted low point, however, also served on its founders’ financial reserves that are NOT Plant Healthy accred- The planting as the catalyst for a much needed, and a small platoon of Grown in ited. Power to the People! fleet (picture and spectacularly successful, clean Britain inspectors is heading out to www.treesplease.co.uk Trees Please) up for us all. Within two months of the realisation of the horrors that had been released, Confor’s Nurs- ery Production Group of eleven major tree nurseries had agreed to include “Country where grown” on its documentation; this has changed the sector from one which used to import up to one third of its output to one that now imports only three or four percent. Sadly, this is only relevant for “whip” sized trees – in- stant trees are still largely imported and carry a huge risk of P&D importation as clearly demonstrated by the widespread outbreaks of Oak Processionary Moth during the summer of 2019.

30 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY SKILLS & CAREERS THE EDUCATION OFFER

University of Cumbria, National School of Forestry

Mark Tomlinson, fessional as well as technical skills. tion which are available with or with- The degrees we offer are focused out the sandwich year placement. Senior Lecturer on either forest management or on National School of woodland ecology and conservation Work placements with and we have found each attracts a industry support Forestry different group of students. A high All our courses offer opportunities he National School of Forest- proportion of teaching is carried out for practical experience in the work- ry (NSF) has been providing on site in the commercial forests place and we recommend this to all Tsector focussed education for and ancient semi-natural woodlands students. We have strong linkages over half a century. Since 2013 we on our doorstep. The last National with the forestry sector and employ- have been located at our new cam- Student Survey carried out in 2019 ers have been very supportive in pus at Ambleside, in the heart of the we achieved a 100% for Overall Sat- providing work placements. Place- Lake District National Park. We have isfaction which we are very proud of. ments are very important; during easy access to a very diverse range As a response to the changing our graduation day in 2019 we asked of woodlands and forests: Grizedale needs of our students, and to pro- all who attended how they were get- and Whinlatter Forest Parks, which vide employees with relevant and ting on with seeking employment. provide a diverse range of economic specific development opportunities, Of the graduates who chose a work benefits including timber produc- we are relaunching the popular part- placement 100% had been success- tion and recreation; or the precious time, block release Foundation De- ful in securing a full-time position jewel of the Lake District, the Atlan- gree in September 2020. Feedback before the graduation day. Employ- tic oak woods of the stunning Bor- from employers demonstrate that ers who take on the challenge of rowdale Valley. supervisors and foresters are being providing placements can ultimately Being in a National Park enables recruited with associated under- be rewarded with newly graduated our students to develop their un- graduate qualifications, so we are staff who understand the company derstanding of the importance of responding to provide an accessible, and its people. In 2019 we have seen integrated land management as well forestry specific qualification. an increase in student numbers and as providing them with a unique en- Our full-time courses suit the wid- would ask that employers, other vironment in which to study. Dur- est range of students and include than those currently offering place- ing each year of study, our students FdSc Forestry and BSc (Hons) For- ments consider doing so. gain wider experience of forestry on estry Top-Up along with BSc (Hons) the upland study tour in Scotland, Forest Management and BSc (Hons) Appropriately skilled the lowland study tour in England Woodland Ecology and Conserva- workforce and a residential visit to Kielder We have been a proactive member Forest. Programmes at the NSF of the Forestry Skills Forum, which are accredited by The Institute of conducted a study on forest sec- Chartered Foresters (ICF) endors- tor education and training needs ing their content and providing our and provides a useful overview of graduates with a clear pathway to MSc, PhD, the educational requirements of the Researcher, chartered status once they enter the < CAREER sector. Our recent revalidation had Forest Industry workplace. input from professionals working in Profession Woodland Conservation forest and woodland management Diversity within courses with profession roles and senior external experts practical applications with up-to-date knowledge of the Our students are diverse and come Full Time needs of the sector. We are actively from assorted backgrounds. As well Part Time (Block) < PATHWAY involved with organisations in the as more traditional routes, following sector and this also ensures we are International Exchange A levels or college, we also attract Programme aware of important developments. many students who have decid- We have ensured the underlying ed on this career after a period of FdSc Forestry principles are taught with relevant other work and life experiences. Ca- (Full Time & Part Time) and up-to-date methods as well as reer changers such as this make up BSc (Hons) Forestry Top-Up < COURSES further embedding the skills which around half of our undergraduates. have become fundamental for em- BSc (Hons) Forestry Management This diversity is accommodated ployers. These include GIS, which are BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology through provision of both BSc and now taught from the first semester and Conservation Foundation degree courses. Those and throughout the student’s time with lower academic qualifications with us. New to our core delivery is a School Leaver or wanting to gain a forestry qualifi- module dedicated to social forestry FE Course Graduate cation in a shorter time can apply for which previously was taught within Mature Student < ENTRY the Foundation Degree. Our courses other modules but is now further im- International Student have a significant practical element proved and will look at the benefits and are focused on developing pro- Career to society in depth.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 31 Peverstone Cullompton, ™ Devon EX15 1RW Tel: +44 (0) 1884 839999 loglogic.co.uk TOOLTRAK 75 The multi purpose compact tool carrier: ICF accredited postgraduate programmes MSc/PgC/PgD

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32 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY SKILLS & CAREERS THE EDUCATION OFFER

Scottish School of Forestry – Student Nos: ~12 Roles: NC - Forest Worker integrated forestry education Rural Skills (L4) - Estate Worker Lorem ipsum Amanda Bryan MICFor, requirements across the board. Our Head of Scottish Further Education (FE) students will Student Nos: ~24 take on roles as estate workers, for- Certificate in Roles: School of Forestry - Forest Worker / est crafts persons and contractors, Forestry Craftsperson / while our Higher Education (HE) (L5) Woodsperson he Scottish School of Forestry students will fulfil a range of su- - Chainsaw Operator - Contractor (SSF) which is part of Inver- pervisory and management roles in ness College, UHI is located forestry and timber processing or in- Student Nos: ~12 T Advanced Roles: in its own woodland campus on the deed establish their own businesses. - Forest Ranger / Conservation Certificate in Ranger / Recreation Ranger edge of Balloch five miles from In- The courses themselves are fo- - Forest Worker / Craftsperson / Forestry Woodsperson verness. A great location with ready cused on what the industry requires - Chainsaw operator access to an active forestry and tim- and our Forestry Advisory Commit- (L6) - Contractor ber processing sector who provide tee, whose membership is drawn numerous opportunities for the stu- from across the sector and chaired PDA Student Nos: ~20 dents to contextualise their learning. by Julian Hollingdale from Tilhill, en- Introduction to HNC SSF is unusual in that it provides sure the curriculum remains relevant Forestry (L7/8) Conversion course for non-forestry graduates. a very broad range of educational and embedded. All staff teaching (Distance Learning) opportunities across both Further across both FE and HE are industry Education and Higher Education as experienced and many are part-time well as providing an in-school offer and still working in the sector. We Student Nos: Forestry ~32 / Arb ~10 HNC Roles: in some local secondary schools for view our strong industry links and - Forest Machine Operator Arboriculture & - Forest Ranger / Conservation Ranger pupils as young as 14. contextualised learning as our USP. / Education Ranger / Recreation Urban Forestry / Ranger - Forestry Foreman / Supervisor / Forestry (L7) Squad Leader Higher forestry education Recruitment and retention - Assistant Tree/Arboricultural Officer and practical skills training Along with our sister forestry edu- Student Nos: ~20 Our offer spans from Scottish Quali- cation providers it is a perennial HND Roles: fications Framework (SCQF) Level challenge to attract enough new - Contracts Manager Arboriculture & - Establishment Contractor 4 to Level 12 which is remarkable. entrants into the sector. We need to - Harvesting Contractor Urban Forestry / - Arboricultural Consultant This allows us to support students be able to maintain numbers to keep - GIS Technician Forestry (L8) - Tree/Arboricultural Officer to progress to whatever level they our costly to run courses financially - Forest Worker Supervisor wish, often dipping in and out of viable and attractive to our host ac- Student Nos: L9 ~10 / L10 ~5 Roles: education to help them secure ca- ademic institutions at a time when - Forestry Consultant - Forest Ecologist reer advancement. We also have in- competition from other courses is BSc (Hons) - Forest Surveyor - Harvesting Manager/forester Forest Management - Head forester/forest/woodland manager creasing numbers of part-time and strong and the number of 18 year - Community/social forester - Planning forester distance-learning students who can olds in the general population is in (L9/10) - Recreation and tourism forester - Woodland Officer take advantage of UHI’s approach to decline. Forestry does suffer from remote access to education. This has some perception issues so we need resulted in adaptation of some of to work collectively and with sector the option for our students to com- the courses and there is a distance- partners to make a career in forestry plete their studies while working. learning only option of studying for and timber processing attractive. a Professional Development Award At SSF we also experience the What next? (PDA) in Forestry which appeals to challenge of holding on to our stu- There is no doubt that in Scotland those wishing to progress within the dents to the later years of education the sector continues to go from sector or those who have joined the as they have the opportunity to exit strength to strength backed by sig- industry from other professions. at the end of any year with a quali- nificant support from the Scottish The School also provides com- fication. With the sector crying out Government. What we need to do mercial training in practical skills for new blood, we are finding an in- now is grow the number of students including chainsaw, ATV, machine creasing number of students exiting right across FE and HE to meet the operation etc. and also support earlier than they might otherwise, demands of the sector and we are employers who have taken on Mod- lured by earning a good salary and working with Confor, ICF, Skills De- ern Apprentices under the Scottish often with added perks including a velopment Scotland, Lantra Scot- Trees and Timber Framework. In vehicle. Every academic year, pro- land, Scottish Forestry, Forestry and June 2020 a CPD programme will spective employers are getting in Land Scotland, RSFS and others to be offered to the sector. touch earlier and earlier and fewer do this. We also need to be mindful students return to us full time after of developing new ways of accessing Meeting industry needs their mid-year industry placement. education and enabling individuals The courses at SSF have been de- This means there is an increasing im- to continue to learn and progress signed to provide graduates at all petus for us to improve our distance which means an improved online of- levels that meets industry workforce learning offer to ensure that there is fer which is our next priority.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 33 FORESTRY SKILLS & CAREERS

Forestry education at Bangor University

tudying a forestry degree at oping forest policy context both a research-led institution like globally and in its increasing com- SBangor University enables plexity within the UK. Their educa- students to graduate with the very tion also includes the key compo- strong cross-section of skills re- nents of economics relevant to the quired for a management role. This sector and the challenges of engag- includes a deep understanding of ing with the wide range of stake- forest ecosystems, how they func- holders concerned with woodlands tion and the products and services and forest management decision- that they deliver. There is a strong making. We emphasise the impor- focus on wood production, especial- tance of how forestry and tree man- ly given its crucial role as a renew- agement fits into the broader land vide this quality of forestry educa- able and carbon-neutral material use context, in particular the carbon tion through our teaching team of 15 when produced from a sustainable cycle, the management of water lecturers and professors, the largest forest management system. All the at the catchment scale, public rec- in the UK. It also draws on the re- traditional components of forest reation and wellbeing, conservation sources provided by its large land management are covered in detail and agricultural food production. holding, which features numerous and also the latest knowledge about Bangor University is able to pro- forest types, and our exceptional how site environment, silviculture, tree genetics and the rapidly growing threat of pests and diseases Bangor University forestry degree programmes combine to determine timber yield, A levels Forestry professionals quality and wider forest resilience. UNDERGRADUATE College land-based Professionals in other Whilst Bangor University’s for- diploma land-based and estry graduates have been facing Mature students Forestry BSc (Hons) 3 years conservation sectors Forestry (with placement year) BSc (Hons) 4 years a multiplicity of professional chal- Postgraduate degrees Forestry MFor 4 years (MSc, PhD) lenges for well over a century, our Education current graduates are set to face professionals Conservation with Forestry BSc (Hons) 3 years huge changes in the practice of for- Diversity of other Conservation with Forestry (with placement year) careers estry during their careers, through BSc (Hons) 4 years major shifts in economic and social needs, combined with the direct and Geography with Environmental Forestry BSc (Hons) 3 years indirect effects of climate change, Geography with Environmental Forestry (with and the rapid development of new placement year) BSc (Hons) 4 years technology. While it is important that our graduates are familiar with Graduates from BSc POSTGRADUATE MSc, Diploma or Certificate Forestry professionals current forestry practice, it is also degrees of other Professionals in other universities or Bangor crucial that they have the knowl- Forestry - part time by distance learning land-based and (but generally not conservation sectors edge and capabilities to go beyond forestry) Tropical Forestry - part time by distance learning this. Our degrees seek to equip our Education Already employed in professionals the forestry sector Environmental Forestry - 1 year full time students with the capacity to criti- Diversity of other and using using the Agroforestry and Food Security - 1 year full time or cally assess the evidence of “what careers degree for career part time by distance learning works” – what is the best solution development to each challenge. The education at Already employed in Sustainable Forestry and Nature Management another sector and Bangor University then gives them (SUFONAMA) - 2 year Erasmus Mundus European using the degree for Masters the confidence and skills to obtain career change to Sustainable Tropical Forestry (SUTROFOR) - 2 year Forest policy new knowledge, innovate, monitor forestry Erasmus Mundus European Masters Research careers - Curious and passion Forestry and Environmental Management degrees in forest science or the outcomes of their professional ate retirees/’hobby (TRANFOR-M) MSc- 2 year, 1 year in Europe, 1 year social science foresters’ decisions and learn from experience in Canada Higher education through the practice of “adaptive professionals management”. Managment roles in forest sector The best Bangor forestry gradu- Graduates frmMSc POSTGRADUATE MSc, Diploma or Certificate or sometimes BSc organisations ates are also characterised by their degrees (forestry or Senior roles in a strong knowledge of the interna- other science or social NERC studentships for forest science projects diversity of other sectors tional context and its importance science subjects) through the Envision Doctoral Training Partnership Sometimes after a Co-sponsorship of projects from forestry sector All in UK or worldwide for providing wider perspectives period of professional on how forest management should employment in order develop in the UK. They have good to return to research understanding of the rapidly devel-

34 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK THE EDUCATION OFFER

links with the forestry sector, which affords so many high quality op- Jas P Wilson offers machinery portunities for learning, accessing interesting sites, keeping up to date with industry developments and training for forestry workers gaining exceptional professional placements. More than half of our as P Wilson is now approved fresher courses which work on a 6:1 staff are also actively engaged in by LANTRA to offer industry- ratio for experienced operators. forestry research both in the UK and Jrecognised qualifications in Would you, your employees internationally, leading projects that both the UK and the Republic of Ire- or other machinery users benefit are producing important new dis- land on firewood processors, wood from training and industry recog- coveries of direct relevance to the chippers and forestry winches. nised certification? Whether you’re improvement of forest policy and The one-day courses deliver a team of 4, or an individual, Jas P management practice. hands-on practical skills, health and Wilson can organise an event to suit For more Perhaps unique to the forestry safety training as well as industry – be that here in its purpose-built details contact learning experience at Bangor is the recognised certification to demon- facilities, or at a location of to suit Kris Wilson on way in which we celebrate the syn- strate that you and your employer your company. 01556 612233. ergies of undergraduate and post- have completed sufficient training graduate study and of part-time to meet the industry standard which and full-time study. For example, satisfies Provision and Use of Work our Scotland study tour enables Equipment Regulations 1998 (PU- undergraduates and part-time MSc WER). students, who are already working The courses will operate with a across the sector, to study together. 4:1 student-teacher ratio, so each And our MSc programmes educate delegate will have a great deal of full-time MSc students resident in focused learning and training, whilst Bangor studying alongside part- balancing the associated costs with time students who attend and par- three other trainees to make this a ticipate in many events ‘live’, at a very cost effective and productive distance. experience. Complementing the formal The company can also offer re- education provided by the university is an incredibly proactive and ambitious student society, fondly known as ‘BFSA’ (Bangor Forestry Attracting and retaining Students’ Association). BFSA host a quality workforce regular guest lectures from leading forestry professionals, organise practical woodland management Securing the workforce for the future is a activities and attend national and challenge for many sectors, including the international conferences, seminars forestry and timber industries. Teaching and workshops. young people the skills to become the new One of the biggest challenges generation of foresters is one thing – but • How to create a great place of work faced by the forestry team at Ban- what can employers do to attract and retain • Attracting young people gor University is attracting appli- potential candidates? Recruitment cants from a wide cross-section of When it comes to identifying best prac- • 10 ways to make yourself an employer society to our BSc degrees, includ- tice, why re-invent the wheel? Scotland Food of choice ing increasing the proportion of fe- and Drink Partnership has published a practi- • Recruitment best practice: a step-by- male applicants. In contrast, at the cal guide for employers on Recruitment and step guide postgraduate level we do recruit Retention, which is equally relevant to other Retention students from a diversity of back- sectors, including the forestry and timber in- • 12 steps to improve employee retention grounds within the UK and inter- dustries. • Improve your people management nationally, with a good balance be- It offers simple-to-use guidance that is Development tween women and men. equally relevant to the forestry and timber • Offering professional growth and sector. Printable checklists for each aspect development for your employees. John Healey, Professor of Forest Sci- of recruitment and retention help businesses ences; James Walmsley, Director of assess their commitment and progress to DOWNLOAD BSc and MSc (Distance Learning) best practice. forestry degrees;with inputs from To download this practical guide, search Norman Dandy, Director of the Sir Featured content includes: “Food and Drink Scotland“ “Recruitment William Roberts Centre for Sustain- Attracting the right people to your and retention”. Or visit www.confor.org. able Land Use; Bid Webb, Teaching business uk>Resources>publications>reference Associate in International Forestry • Promoting the industry as a great career publications and Natural Resource Development

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 35 FORESTRY SKILLS & CAREERS

Forestry education in England – now you can get involved!

his is a time of dramatic change for forestry education Tin England. Government continues to implement their technical education reforms and the forestry industry is also pushing ahead with ambitious employer-led developments that aim to provide a skilled workforce for the future. Forestry is facing a reduction in workforce as migrant labour becomes much less available and competition increases across the board for skilled workers. This is at a time when increases in labour are needed to deliver wider Government policy such as the Tree Strategy, climate change targets and the 25-Year Environment Plan. There are a number of great opportunities this year to shape A T Level is proposed for for- this more widely available and will and design forestry education and estry and arboriculture, due to be be working with the IFATE once their help Government recognise our in- launched in 2023 and the detailed recommendations are published. dustry’s professionalism and skills content will be consulted on over needs. This in turn could lead to a the summer. T Levels contain prac- Degree-level apprenticeship better skilled pool of workers, to tical skills alongside underpinning The forestry trailblazer group also help ensure your organisation’s knowledge and understanding. Al- has an application with the IFATE to competitiveness in future. The po- though this will be college based, develop a degree level professional tential downside of this, is of course they will undertake 45 days of work forester apprenticeship. If success- the potential for multiple consul- placement, longer than other tech- ful, this will establish a work-based tations and initiatives for employ- nical qualifications at the moment. route to take forestry workers to ers, training providers and industry degree level. Consultations are bodies to respond to over the next Forest operative planned in the summer, although twelve months. apprenticeship review this will be dependant on the result The Forestry Skills Forum (Eng- Apprenticeships are programmes of the application to the IFATE. This land and Wales) recognises the of learning while working, with 80% is subject to a negotiation about the huge importance of engaging posi- of the time on the job and the re- delivery of forestry content and if tively in the coming months. If we mainder studying. They have been this should be included with arbori- don’t, we run the risk of important subject to intense reforms in recent culture. learning products being lost, un- years and forestry has an appren- funded or unsuitable. ticeship at GCSE (level 2) difficulty GET INVOLVED In order to help give a little more based on the new apprenticeship This year could be pivotal for forestry education of the ‘big picture’ the following will ‘standards’. The forest operative ap- in England. The Forestry Skills Forum and the hopefully explain some of the po- prenticeship has been available for apprenticeship group will work with the trade tentially new terms that might ap- several years and numbers are still associations to publicise consultation opportunities pear in your in-box…. low, but growing more steadily now. as they arise, but also consider getting more This apprenticeship is being re- involved. New T Levels and forestry viewed as part of the IFATE’s wider In England, the ‘Insitute for Ap- work on their apprenticeship offer The IFATE website has further information: prenticeships and Technical Edu- for agriculture, environment and www.instituteforapprenticeships.org > Develop cation’ (IFATE) is developing new animal care industries. There was a apprenticeship standards college-based qualifications, set at consultation at the end of 2019, and In the “about” section you can sign up to their the same difficulty or ‘level’ as A it is expected that the results will be newsletter to stay informed. Levels (level 3) for all industry ar- published in the summer. Sign up to receive updates directly about forestry eas. These Technical Levels (T Lev- The group of employers (the trail- apprenticeships (http://eepurl.com/dtIiLr) or els) are equivalent to two or three A blazer group) that developed the for- consider asking to join the trailblazer group Levels, and are taken over two years est operative apprenticeship is work- ([email protected]). by (mostly) 16-year-olds. ing with training providers to make

36 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Covid-19 Event going ahead APF 2020 offers wide range of skills and training opportunities

he APF Demo is known as the place about recent changes and how you might to come to see the latest tools and be affected. Tequipment, compare them side by In the McVeigh Parker fencing arena side with other manufacturers and se- there will be demonstrations and hands cure a great deal. There will be ap- on opportunities of erecting the lat- proximately £60 million of equip- est fencing as well as seeing the ment on show, much of it shown latest machinery and equipment working. and getting advice on how it The event is the largest works. gathering of the forestry and Technicians from Husqvar- arboricultural industries in na, Stihl, Makita and Echo will the UK. This year will see be on their stands to answer around 320 exhibitors and specific queries you may over 20,000 visitors attend have on maintenance, fault over the three days. However diagnosis, servicing and re- there is far more than just pairs to your machines. machinery to see at the show. If you have identified a Visitors can take the oppor- training need then there are tunity to avail themselves of a many training companies on site very wide range of free training who can guide you through the and updating events. The show is various course options you have a great place to see the very latest and advise on costs, locations and techniques, hear the latest updates duration. on topical industry issues, increase your We are also working closely with the skills knowledge and get CPD points into Royal Forestry Society this year to en- the bargain all for the price of the ticket. courage schools to visit the show and There is nowhere else where you can get learn about the opportunities and career so much information on so many subjects tive have placed new requirements on tree possibilities in the forest and tree work in- in one place in such a short time. Whether climbers particularly in the use of a two dustries. There will be help and advice on you are a forest manager, contractor, tree rope anchor system. This has caused some forest apprenticeships and several colleg- surgeon or fencer there is something for confusion in the industry. The Tree Climb- es will be present to discuss full time and you. ers Forum will see a series of practical short course choices. We realise your time at the show is pre- updates and demonstrations on the latest We are working hard to finalise plans cious so most of the events will be short techniques and bring you update with the and details as soon as possible. Keep an workshops that require no pre-booking, latest requirements. The AA hope to have eye on the visitor section of our website just walk in and take part. They will encour- their best practice guide covering the new for details of all the events and timetables age audience feedback and questions. techniques ready for the show. There will and follow us on social media to ensure Confor and the Forestry Commission be other demos of chainsaw maintenance, you get the latest news. Some events will will be hosting a series of daily seminars knot tying and the chance to practice your be limited to a set number of people so on topical issues and the latest technology. line throwing skills. In the Arborists Work- you may need to act quickly to reserve Plant health, forest carbon, the Govern- >>shop there will be short seminars on tree your place. ments new planting targets, digital vegeta- selection, the latest rules and regulations, tion mapping will be among the subjects ensuring your business is compliant and Details, stand booking and tickets on: covered. getting your business up to approved con- www.apfexhibition.co.uk The Forest Worker Zone will see practi- tractor standard. Email: [email protected] cal workshops on forest skills, ergonomic Lantra will be on hand to advise on their Tel: 01428 723545 tree planting, workers health issues, run- ever widening range of training courses Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and ning a small business, grant aid, chainsaw and guiding you through the process if Instagram maintenance and much more. You will be you wish to become an instructor. They will able to walk in and chat, in many cases on also be staging daily demonstrations of us- Confor members a one to one basis over a cup of tea. ing a twin anchor point system. Their ex- get in free to New for 2020 will be the Tree Worker pert instructors will be on hand to answer the show on Zone. We have teamed up with the Arbori- all your queries to ensure you don’t fall foul Don’t leave it at home! production Remember: if you are a Confor member you cultural Association to put on this zone in of the new rules. get in for free but will need to produce your of their membership card at the ticket office to enter. a similar format to the FWZ above but fo- NPTC City & Guilds can offer advice membership cused on the Tree Worker. Recent changes on their range of training and assessment card. requested by the Health & Safety Execu- units and you will be able to talk to them

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 37 FORESTRY SKILLS & CAREERS

there taking on trainees and training them in the time old manner.

However, in Scotland we now The role of an forest have SVQ Level 2 and 3 appren-

ticeship programmes in place with the Level 3 able to provide FMO training. Development work had “machine operator “ is so identified a couple of initial flaws and assumptions with this pro- much more varied than gramme. For example, Tree ID was not available in the Level 3 framework and direct entry to the Level 3 people realise is possible. These issues have been identified, the new framework has been proposed and we are currently awaiting imminent approval for it. Once it is approved we hope Q: What does the role of a about environmental constraints, to be offering FMO training here at Forest Machine Operator (FMO) eg flora and fauna; archaeological Scottish School of Forestry (SSF). consist of? sites of interest; water and diffuse SVQ 3 is a modern apprentice- The role of an FMO is much more pollution etc. that the operators ship, so it is open to anyone regard- varied than people realise. Of have to work around too! For the less of age. The first 4 applicants course there is physically operat- general public, an FMO may be have just completed their first year ing the machines, performing daily the first person that they speak to in conjunction with SRUC and For- maintenance and minor repairs, and regarding the works taking place estry and Land Scotland in Newton ensuring that the machine performs so again, they are also representing Stewart. optimally. The FMO is at the front- the company they work for. line of quality control, ie ensuring Lastly, I think it is important Q: What do you do at the college logs are cut to the correct specifi- to remember that FMOs are not and what is your background? cations and graded correctly. They working solely in the harvesting My background is commercial are responsible for trying to achieve sector. We can’t forget where it harvesting. I have been involved as good a breakout as possible for all begins, ground prep! Probably with it since I was 16. I started on the less glamourous side of forest a forwarder, a Valmet 820, before machine operations but without our moving onto the harvester. I had to mounder, scarifier and ploughing get lifts to random forests at week- operators where would we be? end whilst my school friends went to Pizza Hut for weekend work. Q: Historically, how has FMO train- My work has taken me to the ing been carried out? Swedish windblow in 2005, the FMO training has been a bone of Beauly-Denny powerline in 2010/11, & contention for some time now! and lots of red zone felling SSE in QA We’ve gone through various scenar- addition to numerous normal sites ios over the years. The traditional across the North of Scotland. way being for a contractor to take Since I joined SSF in January with Andrew L Smith someone under their wing and train 2016, my main remit is machinery (‘Smithie’), Forestry Lecturer at them up, albeit without much struc- and harvesting based. That is any- ture to the training. The fear always thing from introduction to land- the Scottish School of Forestry being that the trainee would leave based machinery with the Rural once they attained their certificate Skills group to the Harvesting unit the client. That is only part of the of competence. with the HND/Degree first years. role. Nowadays, our FMOs are plan- During the mid to late 2000’s, Things like tractor driving, skidding ning worksites – where to put main we had an apprenticeship scheme and then timber cranes on both extraction routes; crossing points where trainees were taken on by purpose-built and agri-based units. and rack layout. On the majority of Forestry Commission Scotland I am the self-confessed diesel junkie thinning sites they will be selecting and given forwarder/harvester and here at the school. which trees to remove and which mounder training. More recently, we ones to leave, I couldn’t tell you had the eight- week courses run by Q: What has your own training the last time I saw a marked thin- SRUC Barony, where the trainees consisted of? nings. Whilst most foresters would were given forwarder and harvester Initially, I was taken under the wing carry out basal area checks during training on a real harvesting site. of an old hand on the forwarder. I thinning operations, many also rely spent a few days sitting in with him on the harvester operator to carry Q: What is the current position on and would unload the machine at out their own relascope sweeps to FMO training? roadside. Then it was on to a Sat- monitor their work. Let’s not forget Firstly, there are still contractors out urday and Sunday driving the for-

38 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK machines being less productive - remember if someone is learning to drive a harvester then there may be a forwarder with little to do as well; the cost of repairs; the cost of increased supervision and of course the trainee will expect some form of payment! Lastly, there is the problem of trainees leaving to work for a competitor once qualified, or potentially leaving the industry all together once they realise the job is not for them, usually at the point they are starting to make the contractor some money!

Q: What are the barriers to colleges/training providers wanting to provide FMO training? First and foremost, the cost of the equipment but also ancillary equipment, eg grab tanks; site safes; movement of machinery and so on is prohibitive. Machinery training is quite labour intensive given the trainer to trainee ratios. Given the low but steady number of potential trainees it is a lot of resources tied up for not a huge amount of output and someone has to pay for it. Finally, there is a recruitment issue, tempting suitable trainers away from industry and into the training sector.

Q: Do simulators have a role to warder. He was good to me in that Q: What are the barriers to FMO play in training? he would clear the racks out during training for both the candidate and Yes and no! From a health and the week and only leave chip for me the employer? safety point of view they are great, until I became more competent. From a candidate’s point of view, particularly when trainees are new After a year, the harvester opera- FMO has been seen as a difficult to the concept of machine operator we followed gave me a crash area to get into. For many, it comes tion they can gain familiarity with course on the harvester for two as culture shock with long hours the controls. We use Timber Skills hours and that was me – hooked on spent in a cab often with no phone on our John Deere simulator with harvesters. signal and is often completely dif- our students and certainly some of We had a couple of Finnish ferent to their previous roles. There the more advanced tasks are quite operators who worked alongside is a lot to take in, particularly for challenging. Whilst the simulator is us and our boss had close ties with someone with little or no forestry a cheaper alternative to a real ma- a couple of Finnish colleges. I was experience. Independent training chine, ultimately, the trainees need encouraged to apply for a place at tends to be quite expensive, with to get on to real machines. The one, I was successful and went and no guarantee of employment at the simulator doesn’t shake you about! spent six months in Kuru. Although end. We also have the whole em- machinery based and working on ployed/self-employed debate which Q: What skills should a potential real sites on a two-shift system, we can put people off too. FMO have? studied various things including From the contractor’s point of An ability not to be attached to plant ID so that we could identify view, the big issue is cost. Cost of their mobile! >> site types and appropriate thinning control. Over the years, I studied part- time for my BSc in Forest Manage- There is a recruitment issue, “ ment. More recently, I have become tempting suitable trainers away from a qualified FMO assessor under the “ NPTC City and Guilds scheme. I’m industry and into the training sector now one of only 20 qualified FMO assessors across the UK.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 39 FORESTRY SKILLS & CAREERS

>> But seriously, amongst a broad operator environment have been Q: How do you see FMO training range of skills, potential FMOs made which should reduce fatigue. developing and is there anything should have good communication we can learn from training models skills and basic IT skills. An interest Q: Thinnings or clearfell, which do in other European countries? in mechanical skills is useful, as well you think would be better for FMO We already acknowledge a short- as good hand-eye coordination. training and why? age of operators in the UK, an aging However, other attributes include a I’d prefer to be working in thinnings workforce, and for some contrac- good work ethic; an ability to work for a number of reasons. There is tors the situation may worsen with on their own and unsupervised, and less pressure on production and the effects of Brexit! Formal training a keen interest in Forestry. breakouts particularly in first thin- can only be a good thing, and the nings, and better opportunities for apprenticeship is one model of for- Q: In what ways has the role of the trainees to become accurate mal training. As machinery becomes FMO changed in recent years? with their crane/head control; their ever more expensive, contractors Our operators now are more tree selection and the quality of are going to look for operators who responsible for factors such as the their work. They’d be working with have already been trained. environment, archaeological sites a smaller tree size which is safer Many European colleges have and site safety. These factors were when they are only learning. For a small machine fleet of their own always there, but now they are many foresters, chipwood/fuelwood and work away on real sites. Once more prominent. is now their second most valuable at a suitable standard the students In terms of their work, there is a product, so there is less financial are not supervised 24/7, they work push for more production; better impact if there are a few crosscut- a six-hour double shift pattern with breakouts and better recovery. De- ting errors. Speed can come later, the trainers coming to site from velopments in machinery reliability but bad habits are easy to pick up mid-morning until mid-afternoon. has meant that operators are more and difficult to lose. Going forward, For many, machinery training likely to be making adjustments I see an increasing emphasis on comes in the final year of a two or through the computer than repair- thinnings so getting the trainees three year basic forestry course. I’d ing machines with spanners. used to working in this environment be delighted to see a similar struc- Finally, improvements to the can only be beneficial. ture here, so fingers crossed

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40 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK QUESTIONS TO MEMBERS Q An occasional series where we ask readers to give their response to a topical question.

Some people in our sector We will clearly still have forest foremen Forestry), who offer a Level 3 Diploma in who work with the Forester to deliver Forestry and Arboriculture, which could perceive that there is a the ‘on the ground work’ , but we must enable students to transfer directly into need in the UK for a type of take care not to remove the responsibility the BSc Forestry programme. This means forestry professional who and detailed understanding of what is that individuals can take their education sits between the machine happening in the forest from the Forester. to the level they seek at any given stage. The current model for forest training Those who choose not to progress to operators, planting squads or as provided in Inverness and Ambleside degree level are able to take the roles other forestry professionals does cater well for individuals coming into suggested in your question, and progress working on the ground, our industry. It allows them to find and a later if they choose. and the degree educated level of training that suits them and allows Our vision should be: them to join our industry at a range of • Opportunities for learning appropriate professional holding levels. I believe this currently works well. to all roles, coordinating roles. Norman O’Neill, RTS Ltd • Clear opportunities for progression, • Cooperation between different This is a very interesting point and one Firstly, let’s celebrate the fact that many institutions and crucial industry which does need careful consideration. graduates are entering modern British partners, I believe, particularly in the early period forestry from institutions which offer a • Opportunities for real life-long learning. of a professional career, there is a need range of degrees with different types The key is career-long flexibility! One for all foresters to develop their skill of academic and practical content. can return to education, full or part- base in terms of people management, in We should also be careful not to over- time, or follow the route provided by the addition to technical knowledge and in emphasise formal education: many in Institute of Chartered Foresters. At Bangor, that role to have an active involvement our industry have contributed at high we are attracting high calibre students for in working directly with contractors, levels without the barrier that the lack distance learning programmes, studied be they planters, fencers of machine of a degree might have been in the from home. Many already have forestry operators. It is only by engaging with past. So, let’s not have a formal ‘type of experience. In effect, this is a form of all those involved in our industry that forestry professional’. However, at risk of Continuing Professional Development. these foresters will develop a rounded sounding like an interested party – there There may be scope to enhance or refine understanding of the works required to is a place for more education! There may this CPD approach in conjunction with the deliver proper forest management. be a gap of the sort you suggest. Bangor modular structure of degree programmes. The alternative of being seen to University is exploring cooperation with Dr Alec Dauncey, School of Natural abdicate responsibility for operations to Coleg Cambria (with close links to Tilhill Sciences, Bangor University a ‘supervisor’ is not a route I would want to see followed, particularly with newer forest managers. This would, in my view , distance the forester from the works being undertaken for no great benefit . I also believe that many Foresters joined Many in our industry have contributed at high levels our profession to have the full range of “ forestry experience including getting their without the barrier that the lack of a degree might hands dirty once in a while! have been in the past

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 41 COMPLIANCE & REGULATION

Dealing with dangerous trees safely Stuart Wilkie Tree safety risk factors Scottish Woodlands Size he spread of Ash dieback dis- The larger the tree, the bigger the leverage on the roots ease throughout the UK, plus and the larger the sail area of the crown in high winds. the prevalence of other tree T Form diseases, and the increasing frequen- The more branched the tree, the greater the forces cy of significant storms has made the acting through the limbs and trunk and the more likely issue of tree safety more relevant. the tree is to fail. The owner of land on which a tree stands has a ‘duty of care’ under com- Health mon law to all people who may suffer Look for trees with cavities, fungal bracts, splits, cracks injury or damage to property where or other signs of decay. this is caused by the tree. There have Rooting been several cases where significant Trees on shallow soils over rock or showing signs of the damages have been awarded against root plate lifting in the wind. Trees where excavation landowners for their failure to ad- within the root zone has taken place may also be dress tree safety issues. unstable or those newly exposed by adjacent felling. In effect, failure to address tree Location safety, and where necessary, carry Trees within falling distance (or two tree lengths if in out a tree safety survey could cause falling they could bring down or damage another tree an owner or manager to be liable in within falling distance) of public roads, forest walks, the event of an accident. Similarly, carparks or other places where the public might have failure to carry out any recommend- access. Trees near houses or other buildings. ed felling or other remedial work in a proportionate manner could leave a tree owner exposed to a claim. present an additional level of risk, Risk Management of Trees” says, a Trees away from areas frequent- where fallen trees or branches can quick visual check for obvious signs ed by the general public are gener- be struck by motor vehicles where that a tree is likely to be unstable can ally accepted not to require any ad- the forces involved will increase the be carried out by ”a person with a ditional monitoring or care. We are severity of damage. working knowledge of trees and their not required to look at every tree in The danger a tree represents is re- defects, but who need not be an ar- the forest. Trees near to footpaths, lated to its size, form, health, rooting boricultural specialist.” tracks or buildings used by the pub- and location. Owners and managers Nevertheless, owners and manag- lic, formally or informally, may pre- are not expected to be experts on ers need to recognise the limits of sent safety risks if they are damaged tree safety; however, they should be their own competency when dealing by storms or develop disease which looking for obvious signs that a tree with more complex situations and in turn affects their structural integ- might present a danger. The National may need to take the advice of an ap- rity. Trees adjacent to public roads Tree Safety Group’s “Common Sense propriately qualified arboriculturist.

Forest certification Approvals Operator safety If a forest is certified, it is an UKWAS requirement Felling or limbing of dangerous trees Dealing with a dangerous tree (UKWAS 5.2.1) that risks to the public are identified may require consultation or approval in an unsafe manner simply and dealt with. Failure to do so would not be com- with statutory authorities. Where large compounds the risk. A compe- patible with certification requirements. Conversely, numbers of trees are to be felled a tent and appropriately qualified UKWAS also requires veteran trees to be managed Felling Licence or Permission may be chainsaw operator can deal with and retained but is clear that this should not con- required. Check also for Tree Preser- straightforward tree felling but flict with the safety of the pubic or workers. Veteran vation Orders issued by local authori- many large, dangerous trees will trees will typically suffer a large number of defects ties. Dangerous trees can also contain be beyond the competency of throughout their lifetime and these features, holes, bat roosts as bats tend to roost in the most estate foresters or forestry splits cracks etc, add to their biodiversity value. Best very splits, cracks and holes that make contractors. Ensure you engage practice would seek to make these trees safe through a tree dangerous. It is an offence to a contractor with the appropriate arboricultural work, rather than simply felling them. disturb bats in their roost regardless Arboriculture competencies for Leaving a proportion of deadwood on a clearfell site of how dangerous the tree is. Always anything other than straightfor- is also a certification requirement. However, dead- contact the relevant nature conserva- ward tree felling. Make sure any wood must not be left where it could pose a signifi- tion agency (SNH, Natural England, felling near public roads is done cant risk to members of the public or forest workers. NRW, NIEA) if you suspect a tree may with traffic management in ac- Standing deadwood should therefore be treated in an contain bats. Local bat groups may cordance with Roads and Street equivalent manner to dangerous trees. also be able to help. Works Act 1991.

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MULCHING

RAB Easton a considerable amount of pressure on work in. operators and the reliability of equipment The risk of wildfires is reduced with gets to grips when working to such strict time mulching as the fuel sources on the with mulching constraints. ground are eliminated. Mulching fallen Using traditional land clearing methods branches, dead trees and other fuel can be slow and expensive. Leaving bare sources also acts as a preventative ver the last few years, I have soil exposed to the elements can cause measure for fires by decreasing the heat been fortunate to spend soil erosion and leave it prone to being intensity of a forest fire. This debris would time with Justin Kingwell blown or washed away. This can result normally serve as a fire ladder which Oof Kingwell Holdings Ltd in poor water drainage or insufficient enables fires to elevate quickly to the who carries out mulching operations soil to support new and healthy forests. crowns of the trees where they are more throughout the UK and I have visited Mulching is a precise method of clearing difficult to contain and control. Mulchers TMC Cancela, a Spanish manufacturer around established trees with minimal are capable of operating in challenging of forestry and agricultural mulchers. ground disturbance and without causing forestry conditions and are therefore >> Mulching was an area of forestry I had any damage to the tree stems and root little experience of and it was interesting system. Healthy trees and forests are far 1 to discover how mulching can improve better equipped to deal with attacks from and protect the health of a forest. insect and fungal diseases. Visiting forestry exhibitions, you begin Adding a top layer of mulch prevents to get an insight into just how important soil erosion and keeps it in place. It mulching has become; there are small suppresses weeds and at the same time, remotely operated, tractor mounted, offers other long-term advantages. excavator boom mounted and purpose Firstly, the soil benefits from the nutrients built mulchers capable of working in most contained in the mulch which nourish forestry conditions. and enrich the land - this helps the trees An interesting fact I discovered was to grow healthily during establishment. that the majority of mulching contracts Secondly, the planting of new trees is are seasonal and take place from more cost-effective as it is an easier and October until the end of March. This puts safer environment for the tree planters to

FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 45 MACHINERY

>> ideally placed for creating fire breaks in forests to help prevent and contain forest fires. In the unfortunate event of a forest fire a mulcher is an effective way of dealing with the aftermath and preparing the ground for replanting. Overgrown verges on roads, motorways, railways and riverbanks can be cleared without causing too much disruption. The mulchers are able to clear scrub and woody weeds quickly for establishing new forests and for building work to take place. I visited a site near Motherwell recently which had been cleared and mulched for a new housing estate to be built. The mulch from the site was collected, loaded into containers and 2 delivered by truck to bio mass purchasers. Over 200 tonne was collected and sold, offsetting part of the mulching costs. They offer an extensive range of sizes available. Smaller or excavator-mounted mulchers mulching equipment which will attach to The BS range is also PTO-driven and can be used in young forests to deal with many different types of carriers. There are 3pt linkage mounted. There are five invasive species which can soak up a lot Bull Hog mulchers for attaching to most models available and this range is for deep of ground water, which in turn reduces makes and models of skid steers, PTO- mulching and grinding stumps and has a the water table. Proactive mulching can mounted Bull Hog’s for agricultural and slower rotor speed. cut down the stress on trees caused by forestry tractors and smaller Bull Hog units Finally, there are five sizes of the BFH “crowding”. This is when other unwanted for attaching to excavator booms. range which are for mounting onto booms species take over the forest and can either Fecon manufacture four purpose-built of excavators. inhibit the growth and development of the tracked mulchers from the 140hp FTX150 www.plaisance-equipments.com desired crop or kill them altogether. through to the large 600hp FTX600. www.fuelwood.co.uk Mulching is not as effective on rocky They also manufacture a wheeled version, or very stony ground as the stones and the RTF 230 which is a four wheel drive/ 3 Prinoth rocks will wear the teeth on the rotor. This steered compact 230hp tractor with a can cause considerable damage to the 24mph road speed. Prinoth was established by the German mulcher or carrier and in some cases be www.fecon.com racing driver Ernst Prinoth in Gröden, a fire hazard as the mulching teeth can www.khlplant.com Germany in 1951. It started out as a garage, create sparks when it comes in to contact but Ernst was fascinated by tracked with hard rock. 2 Plaisance vehicles and soon developed a steep slope There are an abundance of makes, snow groomer. As time progressed, so models and sizes so it is worth finding This is a family run business from Montigny did his range of tracked vehicles. In 2011, out about what kind of after sales service in France specialising in high quality Prinoth acquired the AHWI Company who is on offer from manufacturers and the forestry mulchers and crushing equipment. has a long history in building mulching availability of spare parts. Since the company was founded in 1976 equipment. they have subsequently grown to be a The Raptor crawlers are available in 1 Fecon market leader in heavy duty self powered, three sizes; hydraulic and PTO driven mulchers. RT 200, 176hp PTO driven mulcher Fecon are a US manufacturer from Plaisance offer four applications of weighing 8300kg. The RT 300, a 275hp Lebanon in Ohio. The company have forestry mulchers: engine with either direct mechanical drive been making mulching and land clearing Galotrax is a tracked based purpose with a special 4pt linkage or 3pt linkage equipment for over 20 years. They are well built mulcher with seven different sized weighing 15,250kg and the RT800 with known for the famous registered trade models ranging from the GX 200 which is 630hp. This model has direct mechanical marked Bull Hog mulcher. a 165hp 7,700 kg compact unit to the large drive with a 4pt linkage weighing Fecon operate out of an impressive GX 800, a 765hp 32,000kg mulcher. 20,750kg. 150,000sq ft facility and have made over Vario Track is a four equal wheeled There are four 3pt linkage PTO driven 7500 mulching heads to date. base machine with six models available. mulchers starting with the M450 which The company has won many awards The smallest is the VT 180, a 173hp needs a minimum of 80hp (at the PTO) and been recognised as one of the 6,100kg mulcher to the VT 500B, a to operate efficiently up to the M750 with leaders in forestry mulching attachments. 440hp 13,800kg machine. This range has the turbo clutch which can be used with Their efforts for diligence to quality and mechanical transmission which allows tractors in the 250-400hp (at the PTO). innovation, their business acumen and 100% of the engine power to the mulcher They offer four models of excavator their recognition of organisations who head. boom mounted units available from 6 to exhibit a strong commitment to local The BF range is for general forestry 30 tonne excavators. workforce development have all been mulching and is PTO driven, 3pt linkage www.prinoth.com rewarded. mounted, there are 14 different model www.paulvidgenforestmachines.co.uk >>

46 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Sampo Rosenlew FR48 Forwarder is designed and built in Finland using proven, industry leading components like Sisu/AGCO engine, NAF axles, Parker Hydraulics and a choice of Mesera or Kesla Cranes. All this at a very competitive price with short lead time and exceptional back up service throughout UK and Ireland.

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35a Derryall Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh BT62 1PL Collins Farming & Forestry Services Ltd www.collinsfarmingandforestry.co.uk

• Hedge• Hedge and &woodland woodland coppicing coppicing with withexcavator excavator and tree shear/grab& tree shear/grab• Poplar and • large Ditching tree dismantling• Pond dredgin with high reach material handler and grapple saw • Timber • Mole draining • Fendt 939 reverse drive tractor extraction and purchasing • BSL registered supplier of Sennebogen 718e & operator hire • Arable cultivations dried and screened virgin woodchip • Wood fuel chipping • Wood fuelto chipping G30, G50 to and G30, CHP G50 specs & CHP specs

Upto 15m reach with a selection of attachments the Sennebogen 718e is ideal for ash dieback on tracks and highways

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New Rabaud Xylotrail forwarding trailers T. 01746 718456 M. 07966 365157 www.homeforestry.co.uk E. [email protected] Home Forestry llp, Willowdene Farm, Chorley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 6PP

48 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK MACHINERY

>> 4 Serrat 4 Serrat currently have 50 employees and have been producing mulching equipment for over 30 years. Operating out of Huesca in Spain they make forestry and agricultural mulcher heads to suit tractors, excavators and skid-steer compact track loader (CTL) machines. The FX range of 3pt linkage PTO driven mulchers has five different sizes and will work along with tractors from 80hp up to the large 250-350hp models. The Cabezal MF2 has been designed for attaching onto compact track loaders of over five tonnes. This is designed for >>

Timber Extraction

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FTN5-17 Fuelwood (Warwick) Ltd www.fuelwood.co.uk t: 01926 484673

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 49 JOE TURNER JTE EQUIPMENT 01789 763958

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50 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK MACHINERY

have been resolved better. TMC Cancela offers a range of mulchers capable of working in almost all conditions: • Eight models of 3pt linkage PTO driven mulchers for attaching to tractors from 70hp through to 400hp. • Eleven mulching heads for fitting to excavators; the smallest will fit on a 3.5 tonne machine and the largest a 40 tonne machine. • Three heads for smaller skid steer equipment with the lightest one weighing 615kg up to the 1268kg mulcher. TMC Cancela also manufactures a range of mulching equipment for fitting on to remote controlled vehicles. 5 www.tmccancela.com www.spaldings.co.uk

>> maintaining smaller green spaces, hedges, and the professional approach they have As with all buyers guides these are riverbanks etc and will work with material to their business and customers. just a few companies I have selected up to 3cm in diameter. It was a very modern facility using the to list. There are many mulcher For excavators they offer five sizes of latest technology and the emphasis was manufacturers producing equally as mulchers, offering a range that will work on quality not quantity. Each morning the good equipment as these mentioned. I effectively with 3.5 tonne excavators up to heads of departments got together to have selected the ones that I have seen large 50 tonne machines. discuss any problems from the previous working in the forest and have a working www.serratmulchers.com day and to see if there was a way it could knowledge of. www.khlplant.com

5 TMC Cancela This is a family owned business Rab Easton is the editor of the bi-monthly Forest from Galicia in Spain that has been Machine Magazine. He is a second generation logger manufacturing mulchers for over 40 years. with over 40 years of hands on experience in timber harvesting. Rab’s magazine is available both in print This highly successful company have been and online and he is very active on Twitter and growing annually by 20%. 70% of their Facebook. manufactured equipment is exported to www.forestmachinemagazine.com over 30 countries around the world. @forestmachineoj I personally visited this factory about a two years ago and was extremely b @forestmachineoperatorjobs impressed by the quality of workmanship

‘Full steam ahead’ for APF 2020 We are very aware of the current uncertainty as to whether many outside events will go ahead as planned this year and that several have already been cancelled or postponed. APF 2020 is still going ‘full steam ahead’ towards our planned event on 24/25/26 September. We are still over six months away from APF 2020 and our assessment is that current restrictions and recommendations will have lifted well before then. We will, of course, continue to monitor the Tel: 01428 723545 Mobile: 07831 644838 situation and listen to all relevant advice but APF Email: [email protected] 2020 is planned to go ahead as scheduled. Website: www.apfexhibition.co.uk

Exhibition Secretary Ian Millward APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition Ltd • Vernon Cottage, Hazeldene Road, Liphook, Hants GU30 7PH Company No.: SC228249 VAT No. GB332 6209 81 • Registered Office: 59 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2JG

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 51 MARKETS

A journey into unknown waters

TIMBER AUCTIONS counted for 46% of global sawlog volumes tion in terms of volume and time. In the traded in 2019. timber industry we have now become used MARKET REPORT Although there has been a global down- to operating in a volatile market in terms of Oliver Combe turn in timber prices there were signs that demand volume and price and developed Timber Auctions production had been reduced and demand expertise in operating in challenging cir- has started to increase so price increases cumstances, these skills will become very would be sought in negotiations for supply useful. t the start of March there were the in spring 2020. We can effectively home work, we can first signs of recovery in the UK The Covid-19 has changed this dramati- operate remotely and we have resilient Atimber market, the weather was cally on both a global and local scale. The business systems, provided we can work improving, there was a modest upturn in impact on global trade is already significant with the Forestry Commission to ensure orders and demand for standing timber and has the potential to increase. the regulatory side of our industry contin- was increasing. Timber prices had stabi- In the UK the country goes into a period ues to function effectively we can weather lised and the seasonal upturn was starting of lockdown. The virus will in the short term the storm to kick in. impact on demand and supply and create We do not know what the short term im- The spring budget has delivered an disruption to the supply chain, we will have pact will be, that is dependent on society’s enormous fiscal stimulus to an economy to adjust our work patterns and how we willingness to do what the government tells which was stalling due to Brexit and the interact with others but above all else we us!! How will the UK fare relative to the rest global uncertainty. The outlook for con- must act in a rational and considered way of the world? struction and the low carbon economy based upon the advice available. Beyond the current crisis the outlook looked very positive in the UK. The UK government has acted swiftly for our industry looks very positive, there In Europe the oversupply of spruce tim- and decisively with a massive support pack- is massive fiscal support from the govern- ber continued to be a threat with the Czech age for business to help it through the Co- ment for construction and the low carbon republic forecasting and accrual of 40 to rona virus crisis. This on top of the already economy which should be good for for- 60 million cubic metres of beetle dam- announced budget measures amount to an estry and the forest products industries. aged timber whilst recent winter storms unprecedented financial support package There appears to be recognition of a wider had led to 7 to 8 million cubic metres of to the UK economy. role for woodland creation in rural land use storm damaged timber which should eas- In the short term businesses are making policy and a growing understanding of the ily be incorporated into existing felling pro- immediate changes to adapt to the threat, significance of forest products in the rural grammes. The big question was how much in Europe we have seen changes to shift economy. The government will have to bor- of the beetle damaged timber would feed and working patterns as businesses adapt row considerable amounts of money which into the sawn timber market and how much production to demand and supply chain may reduce the value of the pound in the would be downgraded to energy wood. capacity. In many cases this has involved medium term. There had been a huge increase in ex- reduced production levels and postpone- This should improve demand and drive ports of sawlogs from Europe to China ment of capital investment. investment which will ultimately drive our with some estimate showing that China ac- The key issue is the scale of the disrup- industry forward

Roadside hardwood prices (£ hft) November 2019 TIMBER AUCTIONS Oak Oak Oak Oak Export ash White ash Export Large Douglas planking beam fencing Cordwood & beech sawlogs sycamore fir and Larch If you wish to discuss parcels of High price £14.00 £10.00 £6.00 £1.40 £3.25 £4.00 £5.00 £3.30 timber you would like to market, Mid price £12.00 £9.00 £5.00 £1.25 £2.75 £3.50 £4.00 £2.90 please contact Oliver Combe on Low price £10.00 £8.00 £4.00 £1.00 £2.00 £3.25 £3.00 £2.90 07771 958975, oliver.combe@ timberauctions.co.uk for free These prices are for guidance purposes only and are based on historic market information independent marketing advice.

£ per tonne delivered to customers in £ per tonne delivered to customers in Wales, central and south England (Nov 2019) north England and Scotland (Nov 2019) Product Lower price Upper price Trend Product Lower price Upper price Trend

Log 18 £65.00 £70.00 = Log 18 £65.00 £75.00 = Bar 14 £63.00 £68.00 = Bar / pallet 14 £60.00 £65.00 = SRW £58.00 £62.00 = SRW £55.00 £60.00 = Fencing £60.00 £65.00 = Fencing £60.00 £65.00 =

H Wood firewood £60.00 £65.00 H Wood firewood £55.00 £70.00 beX student Greg Campbell Andrews = =

52 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Box Wood, Stevenage Market resilient but future uncertain

FOREST MARKET Starting with a small, 7.4ha woodland near ha for (on average) 23-year old crops. An Blairgowrie – Bridge of Cally Wood – be- investment in rapidly growing timber that REPORT ing a mixture of 50-year old Scots Pine and should be available for harvesting in the Fenning Welstead, other conifers set in lovely landscapes. This 2030s. John Clegg & Co sold for a figure just under £90000/ha. For older trees, one might consider An ideal amenity wood with undoubted Braemore Wood near Lael in Wester Ross. potential for recreational use, possibly the 82ha of mixed conifers, some of them dat- hoever said we live in interest- development of a hut under the Scottish ing from the 1940s and 50s, but others only ing times must have had the last Government’s hutting policy. recently restocked and with some further Wfew months in mind. Since the At the more productive end of the spec- ground for replanting – this very attractive General Election result on 12 December, we trum, Glenhead & Arns sold strongly. Plant- woodland sold for a figure in the region have managed to finalise Brexit (only the ed between 1995 and 2002, three lots were £6000/ha. The attractive woodland na- small detail of trade negotiations to go!), combined and sold as a whole. In total, ture being somewhat compromised by the had several climatic storms and are now 169ha of very high-yield class spruce with close proximity of the A835 trunk road to facing the medical storm of Covid-19. The sound access, achieving a price of £18,300/ Ullapool and the public car park. The ele- effects on the global economy appear to be as stormy as the weather. Quite how things will change in the forestry world is unclear. While we self-isolate the trees continue to grow. As Walter Scott’s Laird of Dumb- iedykes advises his son “ye may be aye sticking in a tree; it will be growing when ye’re sleeping”. With interest rates at an historically low level, growing trees may be a sensible investment. Certainly people have so far continued to put money into land and trees, and increasingly into land that may carry trees. The market evidence we report on today is based on activity prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Its effect on the market is as yet unknown. A selection of recently completed sales indicates good activity across the board. Esgairnantau

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 53 WANTED TO PURCHASE LARGE QUANTITIES OF STANDING ENGLISH OAK

All hardwood and softwood species sought Large quantities only

South East Forestry: We buy We fell We sell TIMBER Call John Davies on 01580 819179 or 07759 567801 www.southeastforestry.co.uk 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 Even though all shows across the country are now being cancelled or ELIMINATEELIMINATE onlytransferred log holder due tothat the is covid completely 19 virus, self you adjusting. can safely Securely purchase holdingthe Timber logs of only 1” in diameter to heavy trunks at 11”. DANGERS! Croc LogThe Holder Timber online Croc for requiresdelivery to zero your adjustment door. and will never leave you a log of awkward length to split. WeThe hope independently that all our customers hanging pastteeth and allow present for anything will stay saferound during or square this to be gripped securely, making for cutting difficulttimber atime much for saferall. one person job. The Timber Croc stands taller off the ground making the Working height hip The Timber Croc Log Holder stands alonelevel as the minimalising only log holder backache that is and fatigue. Thecompletely rows of self teeth adjusting. top and Securely bottom, holding alleviate logs from the 1”dangers in diameter of a to“spinning log” while this extra clearance removes the heavy trunks at 11”. It requires zero adjustmentpossibility and will never of grounding leave a log theof saw. awkward length to split. The independently hanging teeth allow for anything round or square to be gripped securely, making cutting timber a much safer one person job. The Timber Croc stands taller off the ground making the working height hip level minimising backache and fatigue. The rows of teeth NoNo Other other person person required. top and bottom, alleviate the dangers of a “spinning log” this extra clearance required.Work safer andWork faster safer on your own. removes the possibility 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 +353 (0) 868756102Buy online &at +353 www.timbercroc.com (0)46 9549033 Email: [email protected] Buy online at www.timbercroc.com

54 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK MACHINERYMARKETS

>> ment of privacy is therefore reduced and there will be additional management costs in harvesting timber alongside a busy trunk road. A more substantial property in Easter Ross extending to 198ha has sold for just over £15,000/ha. This property comprised a mixture of ages, but the bulk was Sitka spruce, now 27 years old. It included a small lochan with a well-built bothy offering accommodation. A forest to enjoy for its amenity but also for the strong projec- tion of capital growth as the spruce ma- tures over the next 10-15 years.

Properties on the market Of properties currently on the market, John Clegg & Co have Whiteburn Forest in Glenhead Arns Northumberland. There has been a dearth of good substantial commercial wood- there is a stronger market for small round- Gloucestershire is a well wooded county lands in the north of England available on wood, particularly supported by biomass and Park Wood is a good example of an the market. Whiteburn, at 485ha, is a sub- energy, thinning is an operation beginning ‘owner’s wood’. Extending to 34ha and in- stantial forest, well through the restructur- to feature again in forestry management cluding a five-hectare field under grazing, ing phase. There are still well over 100ha of New to the market is Reidside in north- it offers considerable privacy and scope for mature spruce crops for harvesting. At 50 east Scotland; 33ha of spruce planted in timber production and great enjoyment. It years of age, these contain good volumes 1987 and now approaching the harvesting could be the base for the development of a of merchantable timber, albeit on steep phase. With a guide price of £500,000 woodland activity business given its good slopes with consequently higher opera- this equates to £18,750 per spruce hectare. access and mixed crops. With a history of tional costs. Younger crops have been re- With strong demand for timber from saw- beech timber a wood turnery course would planted since 2004 on a regular basis and mills, panel mills and biomass energy mar- seem to be ideally suited. A guide price the whole forest is beginning to present a kets it will be an interesting marker for how equivalent to £10,000 per hectare looks very appealing mixed continuum. In addi- things may change in the post Covid-19 very reasonable. tion to the pure woodland interest, there is world. It is a very strange atmosphere this a small stone-built cottage at Whiteburn- At the other end of the country, Box week with no clear picture of how things shank, set in the heart of the forest and of- Wood near Stevenage, Hertfordshire of- may develop. We know that some intend- fering a very attractive base from which to fers a full mix of species on its 24ha. It is ing woodland purchasers have withdrawn enjoy the estate. At a guide price of £4.8M, one of the 999 year leases at a fixed rent of on the basis that releasing funds from the strong interest is already being shown. £7.54 per annum. Originally planted by the stock market only crystallises a loss. Inves- In Wales, Esgairnantau, 122ha of spruce Forestry Commission in the 1950s, there is tors sitting on cash may be more keen to crops, again dating from the early 1990s a wide range of species including beech, get this invested as the traditional financial and therefore approaching 30 years of hornbeam, oak, Douglas fir, European larch markets look anything but certain. Alterna- age, is currently on offer at a guide price of and red cedar. The wood has been thinned tively, cash may be best kept in readiness to £1.75M. This equates to just over £14,000/ on a regular basis creating a very attractive pick up opportunities in the recovery from ha overall. Parts of the crop have been property with sound commercial timber Covid-19. It all adds up to a period of un- thinned with the objective of allowing bet- developing. At a guide price of £180,000 certainty. ter quality timber to develop. Now that this is stimulating good interest. www.johnclegg.co.uk

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 55 TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION

Changing the way we think about supply chains

to give the forest and its soils a long- COMMENT term resilience. At the same time, The world is changing, markets for timber are rapidly ex- forestry is changing panding in the construction sector. Product and engineering develop- and the materials we ment is allowing higher proportions use to support our lives of timber to enter the market in the form of new systems. The same is are changing. also true of non-timber products Jez Ralph of Timber such as bio-distilled chemicals and Strategies looks at how lignin/cellulose derived products. This situation raises significant changes to silvicultural questions for the future of timber practice over the processing and timber supply. We coming decades will may accept that the uplands will continue to provide volume spruce alter the availability of (but will they really? How many ro- home-grown timber tations can the soil take?); however, and how we use it. in the lowlands, the situation is already looking very different. How do we, as foresters, processors and his article is intended to end-users reconcile this increasing ask questions rather than complexity with a need for more provide answers; some- volume? Tthing to think about as The semantics of our industry we sit at home watching society may have a role to play in address- change. ing this perceived imbalance. ‘Over- Lowland forestry is fast becom- sized’ timber is usually understood ing increasingly complex. Match- to mean diameters too big for large ing agro-ecological approaches in sawmills to take, a negative con- farming, many owners are rapidly notation despite the facts that this moving towards more complex sil- timber will have increasing propor- Above: are looking for quality timber and vicultural systems that mix a greater tions of heartwood to sap or juve- Eucalyptus greater returns per log off the saw. variety of species in a greater vari- nile wood. We could say that, de- trials at Likewise, we are focussed on the ety of age-classes to increase biodi- spite having reached its maximum Dartington Hall narrative of native versus novel spe- versity, mitigate against storm, dis- mean annual increment, much of cies and a fundamental difference ease and other threats. In essence, our timber is felled undersized if we Below left: between commercial and non-com- Tulip wood mercial woodland. In a new era of engineered more resilient and complex forestry panels should we not be planting trees based on our knowledge of site and species match to create resilience? Rather than be constrained by particular markets (for example beech & furniture or poplar & matches) look to the species properties in terms of more generic structural properties, durability, aesthetics, chemical com- position etc. Removing these forestry constraints needs to be matched by a removal of constraints in processing and end-use.

56 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK trees such as ash; the need to un- & forestry students are actively en- derstand the properties of species gaging in understanding how tim- at planting age to ensure they have ber is produced. Projects like Hooke a marketable future. Park and Studio in the Woods un- Some of these questions are be- dertake design and build projects ginning to be answered and we have within the woods the timber comes a thriving sector of innovation in aca- from as a learning activity. For oth- demic centres such as the Centre for ers, it is field trip based and where Timber Engineering, Bath University, this isn’t possible through lectures Cambridge, Bangor and Forest Re- on timber properties, processing search. We have commercial innova- and products. tion in the likes of Brimstone thermal- Moving away from a focus on ly modified timber and experiments constrained diameters, constrained with hardwood glulam. Work has species choices and constrained been and is being carried out on how markets, the opportunities open up we can adjust silviculture to give bet- to us to re-think how we grow, pro- ter property profiles to timber and in cess and use our timber. assessing how much timber we actu- We need to bolster our research ally have growing. capabilities, product innovation Why do glulaminated beams Undoubtedly, as both forestry and, as importantly, we need better need to be single species? and timber use becomes more com- connections between forestry and Is the mass-timber movement plex, there needs to be a better end-users to better understand the right if there are constraints understanding of the supply chain future landscape we are all going to on volume but not on quality? from all ends, for architects to un- be dealing with. If we understand the derstand where material originates This kind of work and thinking properties of timber better and for foresters to understand the may seem on the periphery of our can we optimise sawing and end markets their timber will end industry but as time goes on will be- fabrication based on those up in. Many architects, architectural come increasingly important if we properties? are to take as a baseline the health of the forest and have to adapt our These are questions we often ask processing and user industries as a of both forestry and architecture result. students but despite much discus- For those of us stuck at home at sion never get to the bottom of oth- Moving away from a focus on the moment I’d highly recommend er than vague ideological principles. “ tuning into Tom Barnes ongoing se- constrained diameters, constrained It all seems a way off but is actually ries of videos, Wood for the Trees, much closer to realisation than we species choices and constrained exploring many of these questions. think, especially with the advent of markets, the opportunities open fast growing and hybridised crops; up to us to re-think how we grow, Go to www.youtube.com and the sudden need to try to maximise search for “Tom Barnes” and/or value in large-volumes of diseased process and use our timber. Wood for the Trees.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 57 TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION

radually, we are starting land. In 2017, I wrote a dissertation Bridging to become more aware examining the potential emergence of the origins and ship- of a ‘New Scottish vernacular’ ar- Gping miles of the food chitecture, using Peter Wilson’s cu- that we put into our bodies, what rated precedents in New Timber Ar- the gap - an it’s sprayed with and wrapped in. chitecture in Scotland as a starting We have the daily choice to selec- point. While researching, I visited tively avoid buying over-packaged the workshop of Confor member and non-organic vegetables from MAKAR in Inverness – a company architectural far-flung corners of the world. But headed by Neil Sutherland, which do we have the same level of con- produces offsite-manufactured tim- science when it comes to the build- ber housing. University is a test bed response ings that we spend our days living for exploring radical and hypotheti- and working in? Our lives are framed cal ideas, but what doesn’t crop up by concrete and steel; accountable so much is the idea of designing for 11% of global carbon emissions, within physical and environmental In the context of climate then clad in timber from Russia, New contextual parameters, which in it- change, Beth Dutson, Zealand and South America. self can often lead to the hatching of looks at the role of Among those who do have a rewarding, innovate solutions. What comparable understanding of the MAKAR has done is acknowledged architects in catalysing origins of building materials, not the limitations that the unpredict- a paradigm shift towards many are in a position to have a ma- ability of Scottish weather puts onto using locally-sourced timber in jor influence over their built environ- on-site construction by fabricating ment. This is where the architect and SIPs undercover, simultaneously construction. the designer is obliged, not to turn a creating an efficient and comforta- blind eye, but to harbour skills within ble environment for employees, and their domain to have a positive im- minimising onsite assembly time of pact where others cannot. ‘To be an the prefabricated components. architect is an enormous privilege’, This design model is taking off says Shella McNamara of Pritzker around Scotland, with studios such prize winning Grafton Architects. as MAKAR and Rural Design confi- In 2020, the role of an architect is dently leading the way, and starting changing. My generation is entering to establish a new contextually sym- the world of work from university at pathetic, and aesthetically consist- a time when we must engage in sus- ent typology of Scottish building. tainable practice in all we do. How- Currently, an amazing 85% of new ever, while the primary drivers of Scottish homes are being construct- urban planning remain economical, putting sustainability at the heart of design is hugely challenging. Sawmills and forest It’s inspiring then, to see exam- cover across Scotland ples of conscious architecture (so- cially and environmentally) break through to the fore. A beacon of hope for the future came in the form of ‘Goldsmith Street’ housing in Nor- wich, by architects Mikhail Riches. This 100% social housing scheme, built to Passivhaus standards using structural timber panels, won the 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize, showing that sustainability as part of well- executed social design can be at the top of the architectural agenda heading into the new decade. A cause for celebration but not as a successful one-off, rather as a springboard for aspirational architects to follow suit. It’s time to further this ethos, by combining equally sustainable design and materials. There’s a palpable excitement Sawmills Forest cover with regards to the future of sustainable timber construction in Scot-

58 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK ed with timber, but only around a third of this is actually grown in the country. The UK is a huge importer of timber, despite the potential for far more homegrown C16 construction grade timber to enter the supply chain. There’s a slight faltering point in the supply chain however, between the timber producer and the building designer.

Bridging the gap Working with traditional timber framers in Wales, I was mocked (in jest – I hope) for my relatively uni- formed, idealistic notions of how traditional joinery techniques can be applied to contemporary architecture. As I chiselled a mortice into a beautiful piece of oak I learnt that it’s both much harder than I had im- agined, and also very important for there to be a connection and understanding between the architectural designer and the master craftsperson, who knows the ins and outs of every tenon, and works with the grain as second nature to inform construct better homes than archi- local resource - timber. We must Above: conscientious design in ways an ar- tects do elsewhere’ the visitors web- overcome the misconceptions that Holzbaukunst chitect couldn’t. site proclaims, and after perusing Scottish-grown conifers are an infe- Award 2019, A refreshing FTN case-study to photos of their work it’s hard, even rior or lower graded product. With Austria mention here is the Holzbaukunst as an aspiring architect, to deny. continued forest management the Left: Talla na collective in Austria* – a picturesque Nuanced in their anti-architecture- percentage of C16 timber is on the Mara (by Rural Austrian valley showcasing a beauti- establishment roots, this generation increase, and if supply pressures Design), Isle of ful, natural progression of advanced of timber producers, joiners, carpen- increase with a higher demand Harris, Scotland timber design – without architects. ters and builders are creating a pio- for construction grade timber, this ‘Good carpenters here are able to neering collection of buildings. should only get better. This educa- As with Goldsmith street, this tion should be prioritised early on boundary-pushing creative practice as part of a pedagogical approach is the next step for Scotland as we within universities and colleges - latch onto the potential of timber as something I have not experienced to a primary building material, but re- be high on the agenda. quires a greater coherence along the So, architects have a job to do. supply chain. Firstly, the profession must come The ‘construction artists’ of Holz- to terms with the fact that we face baukunst and the MAKAR team an imminent climate crisis, and must demonstrate the strengthening of play a part in improving the health of ties in a weak point in the supply our planet by choosing to champion chain, between timber producer and local sustainable materials, which building designer. There’s space and means timber. To make the most of requirement for more of this bound- this and progress, architects must ary-pushing creative practice in then fully engage with craftspeople Hailing from Scotland – as with Goldsmith street – to get the most out of this hugely rural Cumbria, as we latch onto the potential of tim- precious and powerful resource that Beth Dutson ber as a primary building material. we all have responsibility for. Neces- studied sity is the mother of invention, and architecture in How can architects help? right now we are most definitely en- Edinburgh and To generate a deeper understand- tering a time of need. Glasgow, and ing between these two parts of now works in the chain - producer and designer * Holzbaukunst – FTN February Glasgow after - there needs to be a sustained ef- 2018 (past articles can be found on graduating fort to learn. We must understand www.confor.org.uk > News > FTN as a part 2 the potential and the limitations magazine > search for articles). architectural to increase confidence in our own www.holzbaukunst.at assistant.

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 59 TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION

Q: In order to excel at this effect of thermal transmittance and competition, what are the thus energy loss. It can be applied advantages of using timber as a in both warm and cold climates, construction material? reducing the energy consumption It is a sustainable resource and can needed to cool and heat buildings, be the most appropriate material respectively. & for fire safety. Unlike man-made Timber framed buildings are far QA materials, wood will not produce quicker to construct than brick or toxic by-products when burnt. stone, regardless of the building Aurelia Musa, Martin Juricek, Wood also burns slowly, allowing size. This is due to prefabricated Jessica Haskett and Ellenor Witton plenty of time for evacuation. Single timber components being quick to story timber buildings such as ours manufacture and therefore makes are students of architectural usually pass fire safety regulations the overall construction process engineering/design and structural without detailed description of fire more efficient, decreasing costs. engineering at Heriot Watt protective coatings. Nevertheless, As our house is to be built and we are working with suppliers of dismantled several times it has been University. They are lucky members Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), designed to be modular. These of the only UK university team which is well documented as an pre-cut modules are made from currently designing and building a appropriate fire resistant material. CLT panels, insulation and cladding CLT also has a lower density materials. Prefabrication and sustainable house to take part in the compare to other materials which modern methods of construction Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) makes transportation of the timber means smaller companies can easier. Trees are a natural carbon- get involved with our project, competition. They tell us about their capture resource and timber has supporting the wider construction process of considering timber as a a low embodied energy/carbon industry. building material. property. With careful planning, multiple trees can be planted per Q: Did you consider sourcing tree used in construction, therefore home-grown timber or CLT? contributing to the removal of At the beginning of the project, we excess CO2 from the atmosphere. considered using Scottish larch, Compared with masonry or as this is a fast growing variety steel structures, timber has a and is in plentiful supply. Using a better thermal performance due local timber would help us achieve to natural air pockets that limits the overall goal of building a low heat conduction. This minimises the carbon house. However, due to time

60 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK constraints we didn’t manage to their location is perfect to try and identify a suitable supply in time. minimise the carbon footprint of Solar Decathlon Middle East CLT is still quite a new material our building. A competition involving 21 universities from across in the UKs market, with the first the world coming together to design and eventually CLT house being built in the UK in Q: Using timber in construction – build a solar powered house in Dubai this year. The 2004. The timber requires a specific an essential part of the academic aim is to encourage sustainable living under specific moisture content, which determines curriculum? climatic conditions, and the buildings will be jugded its properties. Moisture content can Our team consists of students on the following aspects: vary between 8 % and 15%, however, on different courses so the exact • Architecture • House functioning adjacent layers must be of similar modules we are taught can vary. • Energy and • Sustainable moisture content in order to cure Overall, the university is good at management transportation the adhesive between the layers. teaching sustainable building and • Engineering and • Sustainability CLT requires appropriate tackling climate change through construction • Communication machinery and drying kilns to various approaches, however there • Energy efficiency • Innovation prepare the timber, and there is not always a focus on timber • Comfort conditions is only a handful of companies buildings in particular. We are well within the UK with these facilities. informed in order to work with any Nevertheless, we are working with type of material. Nevertheless, we Q: Did you engage with timber Construction Scotland Innovation feel that timber construction should industries for this project? Centre who have a vacuum be taught in greater detail. This Companies that we are keen to bed ensuring that a uniform would mean the next generation work with include Glenalmond pressure is applied to the CLT of graduates entering the industry timber, who we are hoping to panels as they are laminated and have the necessary tools to purchase our timber from and manufactured. They are based in construct buildings while providing utilise their timber cladding, while Hamilton, Glasgow, and therefore a benefit to the environment. Construction Scotland Innovation Centre are hoping to manufacture our CLT. Other companies such as Glulam Solutions and Scotframe are prepared to form our prefabricated panels. We believe that companies providing timber should have greater collaboration with universities focused on engineering like Heriot Watt. As students, we are the ones that will one day be in the industry picking suitable materials for construction of our projects and having greater knowledge of innovative ways of using timber would influence our decision making.

Follow the group’s journey on twitter/instagram/ linkedin @teamesteem2020

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 61 TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION

Carbon capture and storage – the natural way

Morwenna Spear (BioComposites Centre, Bangor substituting fossil fuel equivalents, University), Andrew Norton, (Renuables Ltd) and when no further recycling can be achieved. Depending on the cir- Callum Hill (JCH Industrial Ecology Ltd) cumstances, the re-use of timber in other products (cascading) may t is now beyond any reasonable By contrast, planting trees re- provide further benefits.

doubt that the release of CO2 quires a much smaller investment, A 2018 report of the potential cli- into the atmosphere, strongly as well as providing additional eco- mate change mitigation benefits of Ilinked to economic activity, is system benefits, such as rainwater using timber in construction in the leading to climate change in its interception and providing natural UK was published by the Committee many manifestations, with serious habitat. Apart from the obvious car- on Climate Change - Wood in Con- impacts on planet, society and the bon sequestration provided by the struction in the UK: An Analysis of economy. trees, economic benefits can also Carbon Abatement Potential. This Decarbonisation of economic ac- be realised if the trees are harvested study, undertaken by the Bangor tivities such as manufacturing and sustainably and the harvested wood University BioComposites Centre, construction is the only answer; and products are used in long-life ap- JCH Industrial Ecology and Renu- various governments around the plications, such as buildings. The ables Ltd, used very conservative world have put in place strategies to investment in forestry will pay for assumptions. The effect of replacing pursue a low-carbon pathway. The itself; this is not the case for CCS. brick and block masonry structures UK Government was the first major with timber frame was investigat- economy to put in place zero car- The role of timber in climate ed, but the same foundations were bon laws, with the stated intention change mitigation included, even though the timber to bring all greenhouse gas emis- The use of timber in construction frame was lighter. Even using these sions to net zero by 2050. But how provides climate change mitigation assumptions, the advantages of will this be achieved? due to the storage of carbon derived using timber-rich structures were Part of the strategy is to bal- from atmospheric carbon dioxide readily apparent. ance any emissions by removing in the timber. There are also other an equivalent amount of green- advantages because most timber CO2 reduction by using house gases from the atmosphere, products have a lower embodied timber in construction by planting trees or using technol- energy (and carbon footprint) com- By considering houses with either ogy like carbon capture and storage pared with the same functional unit brick and block, or timber framed It is (CCS). A huge investment would be made from non-biogenic materials, construction methods, and quan- “ estimated required in CCS technologies and such as steel or concrete. In addition, tifying the embodied carbon and there is a notable lack of any serious the inherent energy that is stored in the stored sequestered carbon of that it is plans to build CCS infrastructure at the timber can be recovered from each, the team were able to model possible the present time. the material through burning, often the effect on the housing sector. to source 86-92% of the timber 270,000 new homes by 2050 construction If using timber frame instead of material other materials within Emissions reduction: MINUS 0.08 the UK. – 1 Mt CO2eq / year + carbon storage in timber fabric

of 1 – 1.3 Mt CO2eq/year

62 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK tional carbon accounts, and it was estimated that it was possible to source 86-92% of the timber construction material within the UK. Although the majority of timber requirements for the UK construction sector could be met by homegrown timber, it must be recognised that markets already exist for much of this timber; albeit often with shorter product lifetimes. Any tim- Individual buildings ber shortfall must consequently be met by imports, for which no credit Timber for masonry is currently given in the UK carbon Reduction of 20% of embodied accounts. Given the pitifully low lev- CO emissions els of planting in England, Wales and 2 Northern Ireland last year, there will CLT for reinforced concrete in have to be a massive shift in policy in multiple occupancy dwellings order to get anywhere near the required planting targets. Declaring a Reduction of 60% in embodied Climate Emergency is one thing, but

CO2 emissions now is the time to take action.

Tree planting to support decarbonisation of When looking ahead to a potential ings and steel and concrete for construction sector 270,000 new build homes per year larger ones. Timber can provide a Decarbonising is a massive chal- by 2050, it was calculated that this powerful alternative in reducing the lenge for the UK construction sec- substitution would deliver an an- construction sector’s footprint, here tor, but the timber industry is more nual reduction in carbon emissions and now. This can be done without than capable of helping to meet that of at least 0.8-1.0 Mt carbon diox- the need for a decarbonised elec- challenge. As part of the strategy, ide equivalents (CO2e) per year. tricity grid or investment in CCS it will be necessary to have a mas- This was simply by substituting technologies, meaning that these sive increase in new planting. Confor timber structures for methods that technologies can yield additional have stated that 40,000 hectares of use higher embodied energy and carbon reductions in future. How- new woodland needs to be planted embodied carbon building materi- ever, this can only be realised if the every year to make a substantial als. In addition, the carbon storage benefits of this low energy requiring contribution to carbon reduction in the fabric of the timber buildings and carbon storing material, timber, and as much as 260,000 hectares a amounted to an additional 1.0-1.3 Mt are recognised by policy and com- year to achieve a zero carbon Britain.

CO2e, per annum. mercial venture and promoted as We have recently seen a substantial For individual buildings, the sub- such. commitment to tree planting includ- stitution of timber for masonry re- ed in the March 2020 budget. sulted in the reduction in embod- Availability of ied CO2 emissions by about 20%, homegrown timber Are we just temporarly storing whereas using CLT (cross laminated The study also considered timber carbon in wood? timber) instead of reinforced con- availability within the UK. Total vol- crete for construction of multiple umes of softwood sawlogs were One final point needs to be made. A criticism occupancy dwellings led to a mas- found to be sufficient to support sometimes levelled at the use of timber in construc- sive 60% decrease in embodied CO2 timber frame construction using tion is that the carbon might be in storage now, but emissions. Most importantly, these homegrown timber. This can be one day it will be back in the atmosphere. Aren’t climate change mitigation benefits achieved if the timber frame housing we just ‘kicking the can down the road’ - creating can be realised with almost zero sector designs structures to use C16 a problem for future generations? In fact, it can be abatement costs, because recent timber, or if higher grades become shown by modelling that carbon stored in long life UK studies have shown that costs of available through revision of grad- products (such a buildings) will be held in the built timber frame and masonry are now ing practices for homegrown tim- environment carbon pool for a long time. It will similar, and that CLT is nearing cost bers such as pine and larch. It was take time before the built environment carbon pool parity with concrete or steel sys- found that a significant volume of reaches equilibrium (the quantity of carbon exiting tems. the stored sequestered carbon was the pool equals the quantity entering). Depending As the CCC report hinted, huge derived from wood-based panels on the assumptions used, this point of equilibrium further reductions in carbon emis- used in the timber frame houses, ie will not be reached for 100-150 years, even without sions are possible with only sim- oriented strand board and particle- considering the additional storage duration when ple changes in building designs, to board within walls and floors. From timber cascades into secondary lives through remove the current vernacular away the point of view of reporting these use or recycling. from brick and block for small build- benefits are attributable to the na-

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 63 TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION

Proving the value of choosing wood

Wood for Good’s new campaigns manager Sarah Virgo offers a fresh perspective on the why wood matters in the light of climate change

he built environment must ment. Increased awareness and in- adapt if there is any hope of terest in climate change has paved Tminimising the climate emer- the way for young activists, such as gency and reaching the govern- Greta Thunberg, to take the conver- ment’s 2050 net zero carbon goal. sation from schools up to address- In the recent Budget, the gov- ing leaders around the globe. It is ernment announced plans to fund also influencing how we live and new technology into carbon stor- work. age. While prioritising carbon stor- So, it was essential that the Wood age technology and research is an for Good campaign focuses on how essential part of tackling climate we can achieve net zero through the change, we should not ignore the way we build. natural, ready-made carbon storage Fresh to the forestry and timber already available to us: trees. industry, I have been overwhelmed The message that using timber in by the positivity, passion and dedi- construction plays a key role in cli- cation within the industry and its de- mate change mitigation by locking sire to provide solutions that work. up carbon long term is not reaching Wood for Good is unique insofar enough of the people that matter. If that it represents every part of the construction is to change its ways industry, including dedicated sup- for the better, the timber industry porters. But we need more voices to needs to get them to sit up and lis- share the message and the evidence Multiply, one of the winning projects from the ten. that using wood reduces CO2 emis- Wood Awards 2019 That is my role as campaign man- sions and helps to combat climate ager of Wood for Good. I was thrilled change. And alongside capturing carbon, to take up the position in February, We, as an industry, need to prove we must champion wood’s aesthet- taking the helm from Christiane Lel- the value of choosing wood over ics, flexibility and adaptability, and lig, who has been leading the cam- other building materials and dispel its contribution to health and well- paign since 2016. any myths around cost. being. This message will be pushed via a This will require collaborative digital marketing campaign, launch- effort from our supporters across ing in late spring 2020, across social the industry and we will collate the media and online. The aim is to in- impact of the campaign ahead of The timber industry crease exposure for the timber in- COP26, the UN Climate Change “ dustry and inform those responsible Summit, in November 2020. is perfectly placed to for the design and construction of I feel hopeful, excited and ready take centre stage in buildings the benefits wood prod- to make 2020 the year timber estab- discussions around ucts can bring. lishes itself as the go to low carbon The timber industry is perfectly material for the built environment. how we can work placed to take centre stage in dis- towards zero carbon cussions around how we can work towards zero carbon. It isn’t the only GET INVOLVED My generation, and the gen- solution to climate change, but it is If your organisation is interested in supporting erations that follow, are consumed the best natural solution available Wood for Good’s upcoming carbon-focused by the talk and effects of climate to us, critical to building a circular campaign launching in late Spring, please get in change. We are aware of our indi- economy. We continue to encour- contact with Campaign Manager, Sarah Virgo on vidual carbon footprint and of the age the use of wood in building new [email protected] or 07909335232 to consequences that come with our homes, particularly for social hous- discuss details and how you can best get involved. eating, travel, leisure and business ing where tenants are at most risk of www.woodforgood.com habits on the surrounding environ- fuel poverty.

64 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK ENVIRONMENT

New group addresses forestry plastics use

With increased attention on the for- mental protection responsibilities estry industry’s use of plastic – both and training, with aims to advocate public interest and from those or- and facilitate high standards of en- ganisations involved with tree plant- vironmental practice and compli- ing wishing to either go plastic-free, ance. Some members of the group explore alternatives or improve the felt that a separate focused working understanding of environment ben- group on plastic was required and efits and impacts of using the tradi- approached Confor to support its tional polypropylene tube and their formation. alternatives – a new forestry indus- The need for a dedicated work- quired to understand and combine try group has been formed to sup- ing group was highlighted further at efforts of individual organisations to port addressing these issues across the ‘Plastic Tree Tubes - Who needs ensure waste compliance and man- the industry, writes Nicola Abbatt, them?’ Conference organised by age the logistics and challenges of of Tilhill. the Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust recycling redundant materials from In 2018 Confor set up the Forest with support and involvement from remote forestry properties. Industry Environment Group which United Bank of Carbon, University The new Forestry Plastic Group included on it is agenda exploring of Leeds, Tilhill, The Deer Initiative, is about improving communication, the use of plastic and the challenges Woodland Trust and others; a small understanding and sharing exper- of recycling alongside the many oth- group of individuals came together tise and experience within the for- er environmental aspects and sensi- with a willingness to share initiatives estry industry. tivities forestry managers have to and good practise of managing The Group aims to use a collabo- plan for and manage. Collaboration plastic waste alongside research- rative approach to look at concerns within this group’s agenda ranges ing the environmental impact per- and problems with the use and man- from species licensing to environ- formance of alternatives on offer. agement of plastic and will work The Forestry Plastic Group is now with partners to develop responses, Overall aims of the Group formed with Confor’s support and solutions and remedial actions and with initial members from Yorkshire disseminate these throughout the To advocate and facilitate good Dales Millenium Trust, Tilhill, the Na- forestry sector and to interested practice around use of plastic in tional Parks, Forestry England and parties. forestry and waste compliance Forestry Commission. Membership of the group will To research and share information The Plastic Tree Tubes event in be representatives of organisations on plastic packaging and tree November last year, served to high- involved in woodland creation and tube alternatives to ensure light increasing frustrations within management or regulating these ac- adverse environmental impacts the industry to understand what tivities. One of the first actions of are reduced and balanced other viable options there are and to the group is to invite further mem- The terms of sustainable solutions found avoid replacing one unsustainable bers to join or support the work reference for To promote the environmental product with alternatives, that may to deliver the aims of the group the Group can benefits that result from forestry have increased overall adverse en- through collaboration. The next be requested and forest management. vironmental impact. It was also ap- meeting of the group is scheduled from caroline@ parent that better coordination is re- for late April. confor.org.uk

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CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 65 INDUSTRY FUNDING

Making a difference: how an industry fund could contribute Feedback from Confor members is • under research and innovation, group of members that can that they would like to have more we are organising two events define robust activities that detail on what a potential industry (one in northern UK and one in would benefit the whole supply fund could support before consid- the south) to bring members chain ering whether to support it. In re- and research providers together The article (right) from Andrew sponse, we are developing costed to identify industry important Vaughan demonstrates clearly just Stuart programmes of work for the four research needs that can be one of the major challenges that the Goodall proposed strands of a fund: prioritised and costed sector faces and which require the • Research and innovation • for industry information and industry to take more responsibility. • Industry information and statistics, a working group of There are many more. statistics members is developing priority The onus is on Confor to find a • Skills and recruitment to the needs for industry that members way to share the cost of supporting industry will be consulted on relevant and important activities • Promoting the industry. • on skills and recruitment, we fairly and to provide reassurance This would provide clarity on will look to work currently being that money raised will be spent to what a fund could support in its first prepared with partners to the benefit of all those who support three years of operation and the ex- prioritise needs in this area the fund. The intention remains that pected cost of that. • on promoting the industry we this will be set out in a prospectus To identify industry relevant ac- have Wood for Good and that members can examine and tivities we are working as follows: a communications working take a view on.

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66 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Six research outcomes have been Penny a tree! identified by the HIRP group: Alternative pesticide options need to be 1 reviewed, trialled and licensing arrangements There is an urgent might be banned – the neonicotinyl considered. insectide Gazelle. Fortunately, this need to fund pesticides 2 The Hylobius Management Support System was avoided (for now), but the di- is continually being evaluated and updated research, says rection of travel is clear – we need from monitoring site data. Further cost-benefit Andrew Vaughan of to continue to minimise pesticides analysis is required, as well as spatial research the Hylobius Industry use, ideally developing alternative on Hylobius populations (and damage) to better control and damage avoidance predict where and when pesticide use would be Research Programme strategies. most effective. The UK and Scottish Govern- Development of lures, biocontrols and live weevil ine weevil represents one of ments continue to commit consider- 3 population monitoring are underway under “Can the most significant risks to able research resources, via Forest Do” funding, but there were three other viable Psuccessful and cost-effective Research, but there is much more research projects that would merit funding, restocking, and in the worst cases that needs to be achieved and the including development of a new bio-degradable can lead to nearly 100% failure of re- industry needs to find ways of fund- physical barrier. planted trees. Pesticides have been ing this. Private sector timber grow- an important part of the industry’s ers and investors have, in particular, 4 There is a massive body of research information arsenal to counteract this threat and been the main beneficiaries and yet that needs to be reviewed and assessed, the forest industry, as a relatively mi- contribute virtually nothing to the particularly alternatives to pesticides, use of nor user, has been entirely reliant on cost of research, while FSC (UK- barrier methods and water catchment research. extensions of licenses of particular WAS) certification now requires 5 Alternatives to pesticides (ie physical barriers) active ingredients and generic prod- members to contribute to initiatives require more trials, especially those that avoid ucts as a by-product of the wider to reduce and minimise pesticide use of plastic. agricultural industry. use. 6 Selective breeding for natural resistance to It stands to reason that a respon- The timescale to generate the re- insect damage is in its early stages, but is sible industry, mindful of its environ- quired funding to progress the iden- potentially promising as there are populations mental responsibilities, will seek to tified research is currently so slow of Sitka spruce in British Columbia that are minimise use of potentially harmful that the HIRP group discussed the considered less susceptible. pesticides and develop alternatives. option of implementing a levy on This is one of the aims of the Hylo- tree supplies at the November 2019 bius Industry Research Programme meeting, with the suggestion that and must continue to drive im- (HIRP) group which consists of rep- tree nurseries could charge a levy provements in environmental per- resentatives from Confor, Forestry of one pence per tree on the around formance. The challenge remains as England, Forest and Land Scotland, 40 million conifer trees used annu- to how the research should be paid Scottish Forestry, Forest Research, ally in the UK, and thus generate the for and by who. “Doing nothing” is Scottish Woodlands, Tilhill Forestry £400,000 per annum required to not an option, otherwise we could and the Confor Nursery group. fund the research programme, via face the scenario where we have In 2018, the forest industry faced the Scottish Forestry Trust. limited options to replant produc- the risk that our most common- The forest industry has much to tive species and at far higher cost. ly used (and effective) pesticide offer the climate change agenda [email protected]

Hylobius abietis on larch (picture: Shutterstock)

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 67 FORESTRY CONTRACTORS For&TimNews Plantoil 60x75mm_LayoutBIO-OILS 1 15/12/2011 11:36 Pa

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Key forestry products for 2021: an update

he major change for managers of Asulam (Asulox) - Approved for use July although no bee harm has been linked to FSC certified woodland in 2020 is to end September 2020 the product. Tthat the revised policy published A revised Emergency Approval was issued It may be best to avoid the cheaper by FSC during 2019 has reclassified by CRD earlier in the year. This differed alternative products - one has already pesticides on their ‘Highly Hazardous’ from the 2019 approval in that aerial been withdrawn as counterfeit, and two (HH) list as Prohibited, Highly Restricted, spraying would be extended to 90m from others are under investigation by the and Restricted, with preference for control any watercourse, and no handheld or Chemicals Regulation Directorate of weeds, pests and diseases given in the ground spraying would be permitted. This (CRD). There is therefore potential for following order: latter requirement was on the basis that lack of weevil control should the product 1 Non chemical strategy, then, glyphosate already fulfilled this role so no be counterfeit. 2 Use of a pesticide not on the HH list, emergency existed. Confor have worked Acetamiprid classified by FSC as then, with the Bracken Control Group to point Restricted. 3 Use of a pesticide classified as out to the Health and Safety Executive restricted, then, (HSE) that forest saplings will be killed by Cypermethrin (Forester) - Approved for 4 Use of a pesticide classified as highly glyphosate, and selective control avoiding use until end April 2023 restricted. the crop is not possible. We await the A synthetic pyrethroid insecticide which None of the products on the prohibited result of their deliberations. kills weevils on contact together with list are currently approved for use in UK Asulam is not included on the prolonged anti-feeding activity. forestry. FSC HH list. There are concerns that all synthetic If a restricted, or highly restricted pyrethroids may lose approval status pesticide is to be used, then this can only Propyzamide (Kerb Flo) - Approved for throughout the EC. be used following an environmental and use to a date yet to be determined Cypermethrin is classified by FSC as social assessment, and any disbenefits Propyzamide is a winter applied residual Highly Restricted. addressed. grass herbicide which is an extremely useful alternative to glyphosate in areas Alpha-cypermethrin (Alpha 6ED) - when wet weather restricts the use of Approved for use until end January 2023 HERBICIDES foliar applied sprays. It may also control An effective insecticide only available as a buttercup and docks. nursery pre-treatment. Glyphosate - Approved to at least 2022 Propyzamide has now been removed Pre-treatments not currently included in Members will recall that the European from the FSC HH list. the FSC classifications. Parliament influenced a shortening of the usual ten-year approval period to Cycloxydim (Laser) - Approved for use five years, after negative campaigning until November 2023. ANIMAL REPELLANTS over glyphosate by environmental Cycloxydim is a grass specific herbicide interests. This meant that last use of the which has the advantage over glyphosate Emulsified Sheeps Fat (Trico) - Approved herbicide would be at the end of 2022. in that it is completely safe to all crops - for use to February 2023 But, in accordance with EU regulation, even on new foliage. At last, an animal repellant that really all pesticides have to have the data Best effect is from applications made works as a deer repellant. This product is reviewed as they move towards their when the grass is growing strongly in the gaining an impressive reputation for use as expiry date - and this is currently being spring, but note that the major upland pre and post planting treatment to prevent undertaken. However, the EC review grasses, molinia, nardus and some festuca browsing and fraying. Emulsified Sheeps programme on all pesticides is well behind are not controlled. Fat is not included in the FSC HH list. schedule, so the likelihood is that use Cycloxydim is not included in the of glyphosate in Europe will continue FSC HH list. after 2022. It is reassuring to note that MEMBER SERVICES the latest statement from the European Pesticides helpline Food Standards Agency (EFSA), which INSECTICIDES coordinates the review, it that glyphosate is not carcinogenic. Acetamiprid (Gazelle SG) - Approved for Pesticides helpline is a free service An added complication is that we use to a date et to be determined operated by Confor’s crop protection do not yet know whether the UK will be Gazelle SG has emerged as the product adviser Colin Palmer on behalf adhering strictly to the EC regulatory of choice for hylobius control, as it is of Confor members. Colin can be process - or whether it will be managed as effective as cypermetrhin and alpha contacted 8am to 8pm Mondays to to a UK protocol which may mean quite a cypermethrin without the occasional Fridays on 01531 633500 (leave a different outcome. associated operator problems. However, message if necessary) or by email to: Glyphosate is now classified by FSC as the future may be uncertain due to the [email protected] “Restricted”. political pressure on neonicotinoids -

CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 69 FORESTRY IN PICTURES

In times of self-isolation, with all “non-essential” entertainment options and distractions removed from the menu board, people realise more than ever the importance of forests as places of well-being and restoration: a place for boosting mental and physical health, a place of education for our children, a moment of inspiration for burned-out professionals, an opportunity for peaceful, joyful social distancing. Let’s enjoy our forests responsibly, maintaining distance from others. Enjoy the peace, enjoy the solitude. It won’t last forever... Photo: Stefanie Kaiser

Want to see your picture here? Forestry in Pictures is a regular feature in FTN. 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, please send your file to Stefanie.kaiser@confor. org. Please include your name, brief description of yourself and the picture and a credit. Photos should relate to forestry and timber 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 file for non-commercial purposes in Forestry and Timber News or the Confor website. Photos will always be credited.

In June, we will run our traditional feature on Skills and Training, plus a COMING UP IN feature on Timber in Construction. Please get in touch by 15 May if you JUNE – would like to submit an article or news item for the skills feature. Remember that FTN is your magazine – get in touch if you want to suggest GET INVOLVED editorial or give us feedback on articles we have published in the past. Confor members, send us your company’s news updates or pitches for feature articles.

70 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • April 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK Paul Vidgen Forest Machines Ltd

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