Farm Woodland News The newsletter for participants in Farm Woodlands Schemes • Issue Number 35 Autumn 2020

In this Edition

How do you sell carbon? Making sense of the carbon code and funding

Ash dieback: how to manage infected and make broadleaved woodlands more resilient

Future funding: The Scottish Government’s pledge for a ‘green recovery’

Timber market report: How has the pandemic affected timber prices?

FAS events go online

This newsletter is produced and published by SRUC on behalf of Scottish Forestry & FAS SRUC is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC003712 Contents Editorial

Editorial 2 A great deal has changed since the last in the long term, as part of a ‘green recovery’, issue of Farm Woodland News. As the spring announcing the funding for the next 5 years Off-cuts 2 edition went to press we had just entered (see page 23). national lockdown and so much, including An Introduction to Woodland Carbon 4 whether or not the printed editions would The Farm Advisory Service is still here for you. reach your doorsteps, seemed uncertain. We’re still producing online guidance, videos and podcasts full of advice and ideas to help How to Release Income from 10 With the planting season in full swing, there were you get the best from your business. Our events Woodland Carbon fears for the nursery supply chain, the are still happening, they’ve just changed a welfare of planters, and if woodland creation little. In online webinars you can still hear from What’s new from FAS 14 schemes could be completed on time. industry experts and ask questions. There RSABI supports people from Scottish Scottish Forestry were quick to extend the are plenty to choose from, as you don’t have agriculture emotionally, practically, and How to Manage Ash Dieback 16 deadline for 2019/20 grant claims, and the to travel further than your comfiest chair to financially in times of need. Disease in your Trees Scottish Government worked closely with the attend. They’re also recorded, so you can go industry to provide guidance and reassurance back and watch any you’ve missed. We’ll look If you’re feeling stressed or isolated, or if you Diversifying Broadleaved Woodlands 18 for working under the new restrictions. forward to welcoming you back to farm and need practical help, please call the RSABI for the Future Forestry work was given ‘essential’ status. woodland visits when we’re able to run ‘real life’ helpline 0300 111 4166. They’re there to help Providing timber for pallets and packaging events again. seven days a week from 7am to 11pm, and all was critical to keep supply chains of food calls are completely confidential. Timber Market Update 22 and medical supplies moving. The Scottish Remember to visit the FAS website for Government has since reinforced their information, or contact us for advice: Leona Baillie, SAC Consulting Forestry Grant Scheme Update 23 commitment to forestry and woodland creation [email protected] or 0300 323 0161. [email protected]

Up to £1,000 funding available Scientist appointed as Scotland’s Government on technical and professional Off-cuts for specialist advice on new Chief forestry matters. woodland creation Dr Helen MacKay OBE has become Scotland’s Chief Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing was The Scottish Government has lifted Forester, a role created pleased with Dr MacKay’s appointment, requirements to complete an Integrated when forestry became saying, “Her years of scientific expertise at Land Management Plan (ILMP) prior to fully devolved in Scotland the cutting edge of forestry research will be accessing funding support for woodland last year. invaluable. Forestry has a very important role creation. Scottish farmers and crofters can to play in our green recovery and we have now apply for up to £1,000 funding through Dr MacKay, who has many challenges ahead.” the Farm Advisory Service, to enlist the help worked for Forest of a specialist adviser to help with woodland Research for over 30 Timber by train trial creation. The adviser will work with the land years, and most recently A 6-week trial of replacing timber lorries with manager to add value to underproductive lead the Centre for Sustainable Forestry and rail transport has taken place near Inverness. land by reviewing farm-specific opportunities Climate Change said, “Times are undoubtedly The project ran two to three trains a week, and financial incentives available to create or challenging because of Covid-19 in addition taking around 250 lorry journeys, of around manage woodland. This includes identifying to climate change, pests and diseases 55,000 miles, off local roads. the most suitable grants and assistance as well as Brexit. On the other hand, such packages that farmers and crofters can use to challenges can bring the sector together to It’s hoped that the trial will help further optimise the use and value of their land. further strengthen the forestry profession develop timber transport by rail, lessening and demonstrate its value to Scotland.” She the environmental footprint of haulage, and To apply or for more information, call will now draw on her years of experience reducing the impact of road transport on 0300 323 0161 or email [email protected]. in forest science to advise the Scottish rural communities.

Page 2 Page 3 Join the FAS online event Woodland Creation and Carbon Sales, 6pm to 7pm Carbon without the jargon Wednesday 28 October, to hear more from Dr Vicky West and have the chance to ask questions. Sign up at www.fas.scot Capturing and securely storing carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere. As a very rough guide, around one quarter of a tree is solid stored carbon. Note this varies greatly between species, where and how they grow, what age they are.

CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent. Used to equate the warming effects of other greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, with CO2

PIU Pending Issuance Unit

tCO2 Tonnes of carbon dioxide

WCC Woodland Carbon Code

WCU Woodland Carbon Unit

YC Yield class. A measure of productivity. YC is the average annual gain in timber volume per hectare per year over the rotation. For example, a yield class of 16 indicates an average annual timber volume gain of 16m3/ha/yr. Yield class varies between species (some grow faster than others) and site conditions. An Introduction to Woodland Carbon

A Growing Source of Funding for Woodland Creation Woodland and peatland – a rapidly developing carbon market The Woodland Carbon Code (WCC), launched Dr Vicky West in 2011, is the UK’s government-backed Woodland Carbon Code Manager, standard for woodland carbon projects. It Scottish Forestry applies similar standards to other global carbon initiatives but is tailored to UK Woodlands can make a significant contribution conditions and legislation. It provides the to tackling climate change – in 2017 Scotland’s mechanism for landowners creating woodland woodlands sequestered 9.5 million tonnes • Grants of up to £20,000 for farmers to engage in the carbon market in the UK. The Shiplaw Burn, a Tweed Form, in 2018 at of CO2e, reducing Scotland’s net annual and crofters to purchase new equipment scheme is based on robust carbon prediction Verification. Photo credit: Forest Carbon. emissions to 40.5 million tonnes CO2e. The through the Sustainable Agriculture tools and monitoring protocols developed by Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS) Forest Research. New woodlands meeting the (Scotland) Act 2019 commits Scotland to (closes midnight Sunday 11th of standard have to be third-party checked as Scotland. The registered projects across have net zero by October 2020) being sustainably managed and meeting high the UK will create over 20,000 hectares of 2045 – 5 years earlier than the rest of the • Increase the size of the woodland carbon standards, giving confidence to buyers. woodland and are predicted to sequester UK. Recognising the role that woodlands and carbon market by 50% in 5 years. almost 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over carbon sequestration have to play, Scottish So far, over 500 woodland creation projects their lifetime (up to 100 years). Government have made the following It is only mandatory for businesses in energy have registered across the UK. More than half commitments within the latest Programme for and some industrial sectors to reduce their of these are validated by an independent The Peatland Code, a standard managed by Government (2020-21): emissions but there is a rapidly increasing validation body (Acoura or Soil Association) the International Union for Conservation of desire amongst other businesses to voluntarily to check they are well setup and meet the Nature (IUCN), has four peatland restoration • Increase the planting targets from reduce their emissions to help meet these standards set out in the WCC. Over 90 projects validated and 13 registered in total. 12,000 to 18,000 hectares per year by ambitious targets. Reaching net zero is going to projects so far (those set up earliest) have The Peatland Code has similar principles 2024-25 with increased grant funding require we create more woodlands and restore verified the amount of carbon sequestration to the WCC. See the IUCN website for to help with this. our degraded peatlands. after 5 years. Over 40% of projects are in more information. CONTINUED OVER Page 44 PagePage 5

Getting involved – costs and likely income Table 1: Costs and possible income from native and productive WCC projects How do you apply for carbon funding? There are a growing number of ‘project Decide whether you want to go through developers’ who are willing to help landowners this process yourself, or ask a project put their projects through the Woodland 30ha Productive developer to help. If you only have one small Carbon Code. If you use a third-party project Type of project 10ha Mixed 10 x 5ha Mixed project it’s probably easier to ask a project Native Woodland Native Woodlands Woodland developer, they may take on some or all of the (75% of net area Sitka developer to help. If you have a large project (YC4, 2.5m Validated as a group responsibility and cost of validating, monitoring spruce YC16, thinned or are likely to go through the process more spacing, minimum (YC4, 2.5m spacing, and verifying the woodland carbon project intervention) minimum intervention) & felled at year 50, than once you might consider taking the over its lifetime. This leave the landowner with 25% of net area mixed time to learn the process and DIY. The WCC a smaller share of the carbon income but broadleaves, YC4, team are available to advise you. also less future responsibility/cost – you can minimum intervention) decide how involved you want to be. Check you’re eligible and register your Project length 100 years 100 years 55 years project on the UK Woodland Carbon Registry. There’s a simpler process for small (≤5ha) You’ll need basic information about the projects, and projects can be ‘grouped’ for Total Per Hectare Total Per Hectare Total Per Hectare project/site and use that to do a carbon cheaper validation/verification – this needs a sequestration projection. You need to project developer to act as ‘group manager’. Saleable carbon 3,860 386 19,300 386 6,780 226 make sure: You shouldn’t need much more information (tCO2) • you’re committed to permanent land about a project than you would normally use change to woodland supply when applying for a woodland creation Costs - Time For all projects, prepare validation documents at start, undertake survey +5 • you’re registering within 6 months of grant. You can use our tools to work out the (Can be and every 10 years, prepare verification documents +5 and every 10 years, the start of planting* likely carbon sequestration of your project. undertaken liaise with validation/verification body and keep registry up to date • the land hasn’t been wooded for at by landowner least 25 years Feedback from project developers suggests or third- • planted areas are not deep peat (less corporate buyers currently pay between £7 party project developer) than 50cm organic/peat layer) and £20 when buying WCC units upfront – • the woodland creation is ‘additional’ with increased demand, prices have been – it’s not legally required, and it’s the Cost - Cash £13,000 £1,300 £32,400 £648 £8,000 £267 rising. The majority of the volume, however, is Validation/ carbon finance that will make the towards the lower end of this bracket. project viable. Verification and Registry Use Table 1 shows the likely costs and income Complete documentation and get for three different scenarios: a 10ha native Carbon £7 £27,020 £2,702 £135,100 £2,702 £47,460 £1,582 validated. You’ll need to complete a ‘Project woodland; a group of 10 x 5ha native Income Design Document’, and supply relevant woodlands; 30ha of productive Sitka spruce £/tCO2 £10 £38,600 £3,860 £193,000 £3,860 £67,800 £2,260 information, whilst you are planning and woodland (including 25% mixed broadleaves). planting your woodland, then get Acoura Validation/verification is a fixed cost per £15 £57,900 £5,790 £289,500 £5,790 £101,700 £3,390 or Soil Association to look over your project (~£1000 if no site visit required) documentation. This can’t be finished until all whereas registry fees are volume-based NET £7 £14,020 £1,402 £102,700 £2,054 £39,460 £1,315 (Carbon trees are in the ground but you have 3 years (£0.09 total per carbon unit/tCO2). There from registration to complete this process. are time and cash savings for validation/ Income £10 £25,600 £2,560 £160,600 £3,212 £59,800 £1,993 verification as a group. Verification could cost Minus Cash £15 Stay Verified. At year 5 and then every 10 more if site visits are required past year five £44,900 £4,490 £257,100 £5,142 £93,700 £3,123 Costs) years, survey your site, complete a ‘Progress (only applies to ‘risky’ projects). For a native £/tCO2 Report’ and get Acoura or Soil Association to woodland which could generate almost 400 verify your documentation. Projects can be tCO2/ha over 100 years, potential income up to 100 years long – you decide how long from carbon credits (at £7 to 15/tCO2) is to commit. £2,700 to 5,800/ha. Taking off the cash cost Assumptions: 20% of carbon units are put into shared ‘buffer’ – a pool of involvement the net income could be up of units which cannot be sold and will be called upon if there are *Currently you have to register within 2 years of the to £5,000/ha (at £15/tCO ), although you still any future losses of carbon from any WCC project. start of planting but deadline will soon change to 2 6 months. need to consider the time to undertake survey work and complete documentation. CONTINUED OVER Page 6 Page 7 Page 6 If you can find a buyer for the carbon in wait and sell carbon units as they are delivered These are companies such as Climate Carbon buyer case study: Waitrose the early stages of the project it is possible and verified, this would guarantee the project a Care, EcoAct, Natural Capital Partners, to receive all the carbon income upfront. fairly regular income over the life of the project. and South Pole. Project developers Waitrose, through the Woodland Trust, has You would need to consider the ongoing This income could pay for management, including Forest Carbon and the bought carbon from a large native woodland requirement to monitor and verify this project, monitoring and verification costs as the Woodland Trust can also help you find creation project in Cumbria. The aim, and the potential liability you would hand to a project proceeds, and means if you want to a buyer. over time, is to compensate for the GHG subsequent owner if you sell the holding within sell the holding you are passing on an asset of • Use Markit Registry. They offer a service emissions of their home delivery fleet. They the timeframe of any carbon contract. If you unsold carbon. called the ‘Request for Information were particularly attracted by the potential Platform’ which is a bit like ‘Gumtree’ for woodlands to improve biodiversity and for carbon units. You can place your control flooding. units ‘for sale’ with details of the price you’re looking for so other Markit Carbon seller case study: would be gained by , the farmer Working with the Woodland Trust on Registry account holders can contact was enthusiastic but was unable to contribute these projects raises their social and Tweed Forum Group you for more information. financially to the initiative. Tweed Forum environmental corporate responsibility Three woodland creation projects in upstream looked elsewhere to find funds to make the credentials, as well as providing them with areas of the Tweed catchment, Shiplaw project work financially, especially up-front Who buys WCC units and why? a strong marketing message. Involvement Burn, Mowhaugh and Halterburnhead, were costs for fencing and tree planting, as the Over 400 different businesses covering a with the project also provides opportunities validated as a group through Forest Carbon. FC grant did not cover the whole costs of wide range of sectors such as food & drink, for staff engagement through tree planting See Case Studies of WCC projects. the scheme. furniture, paper & lighting manufacturers, and days. See more buyer case studies on the transport have purchased woodland carbon. WCC website. Hugh Chalmers from Tweed Forum says: Forest Carbon was approached: they dealt “Tweed Forum is co-ordinating a whole with the WCC application and validation; an They want to buy locally, they like woodlands Looking to the future catchment management project to improve agreement to purchase some of the carbon as they are ‘tangible’ and come with many Over the last 6 to 12 months interest in the condition of rivers and to demonstrate to be captured by the woodland was agreed. other social and environmental benefits aside woodland carbon has increased rapidly natural flood management in the Eddleston A lump sum of around £13,000 was made from carbon. across the UK. Greater numbers of Water sub-catchment. We approached the available when trees were planted, to make landowners and agents as well as corporate landowner-farmer to suggest planting 17ha the project financially viable.” BWOC, a fuel distribution company, state that buyers are becoming involved. For farmers, of native woodland along Shiplaw Burn. After one of the benefits of buying from a WCC crofters and other landowners, if you’re discussions on the multiple benefits which How do I sell my carbon units? project is that it has brought more business struggling to fully fund a woodland creation Over 50% of 2.6 million validated carbon by helping them win public sector contracts. or peatland restoration project it’s worth credits have been sold upfront and almost looking to the carbon market for some extra all the verified credits are sold (there’s only The Green Investment Bank really valued the income to help move your project from idea 7,000). There are a number of ways to find opportunity to get their staff onsite to help to reality. with tree planting. a buyer: Quentin Clark, Head of Sustainability at Waitrose, plants a tree. • Ask locally. Some businesses like to Photo credit: Woodland Trust. buy from a ‘local’ project – ie one they Further Information can visit or state is near to their customers. Yorkshire Dales Millennium Woodland Carbon Code: Trust have found a number of Yorkshire www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk buyers. • We’ll advertise your project on the [email protected] WCC website. Once your project is validated we can advertise your project Peatland Code: to companies looking to buy. https://www.iucn-uk- • Use an intermediary. There are a peatlandprogramme.org/funding- number of ‘intermediaries’ who advise finance/peatland-code their corporate clients on reducing Shiplaw Burn, a Forest Carbon project, in 2018 their GHG emissions, and also offer [email protected] at Verification. Photo credit: Forest Carbon. them carbon units from WCC projects.

PagePage 8 8 Page 9 verifications is to confirm that a woodland tonnes of CO2e that are now physically Join the FAS online event Woodland Creation and Carbon Sales, 6pm to 7pm creation project is ‘on track’, i.e. that it locked away in the trees. Wednesday 28 October, to hear from George Hepburne Scott, Director of Forest is delivering the amount of carbon that Carbon, and have the chance to ask questions. Sign up at www.fas.scot was agreed at the outset. This involves Ten years later this woodland will be due counting the growing trees, making sure the its second verification. At this point, the right number and right species are there, trees could have sequestered another 1,500 and that they aren’t being hindered or tonnes of CO2e. Another 1,500 PIUs will be damaged by herbivores, pests, disease or converted to WCUs, giving the project a total extreme weather. of 1,550 WCUs after 15 years.

After each verification a certain amount This example illustrates two important of CO2e can be confirmed as having been points. The first is that a growing woodland sequestered by the growing trees. It is there, doesn’t sequester carbon at the same visible as solid carbon in the of their rate throughout its lifetime. Due to soil trunks, no longer an abstract concept, or disturbance (and the associated CO2 component of the atmosphere. At this point, emissions) during ground preparation, the tonnage that has been sequestered is many woodland creation projects are barely represented through the conversion of an breaking even carbon-wise after five years. equivalent quantity of PIUs into ‘Woodland After 15 years, by contrast, the trees have Carbon Units’ (WCUs). laid down extensive root networks and are growing quickly, with the sequestration rate For example, if a woodland creation project is increasing correspondingly. going to sequester 10,000 tonnes CO2e over its contract duration, that gives the project The second point worth emphasising is the 10,000 PIUs to sell at the outset. After five length of time required to release income years, and assuming a successful verification, from the sale of WCUs. Whereas PIUs can be How to Release Income the saplings may have grown enough to have sold upfront, most projects won’t have many from Woodland Carbon sequestered 50 of the 10,000 tonnes. As WCUs to sell until 15 or even 25 years down a consequence, 50 PIUs will be converted the line. For many landowners, that is simply to WCUs at this point, recognising the 50 too long to wait.

Matthew Hay themselves to different types of woodland Project Manager, creation projects. Forest Carbon For example, the upfront sale of future The Woodland Carbon Code exists to make carbon revolves around a carbon product financially unattractive woodland creation known as a ‘Pending Issuance Unit’ (PIU). projects attractive. In doing this, it enables These can be thought of as a guarantee of trees to be planted that otherwise wouldn’t future carbon sequestration. The number of be, and additional carbon sinks to be created PIUs a woodland creation project has at its in the UK. start is identical to the number of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that project But how does woodland carbon improve a will sequester over an agreed contract project’s economic prospects in practise? duration. In other words, 1 PIU = 1 future tonne And how can the carbon income actually of carbon. be released? Over time, Woodland Carbon Code projects The answer is via two routes: the upfront undergo successive verifications. This first sale of future carbon, or the future sale of of these happens five years after the trees sequestered carbon. Both options have were planted, with further verifications every advantages and drawbacks, which lend ten years subsequently. The purpose of CONTINUED OVER Page 10 Page 11 These are the two options for releasing competitive with a WCU sold after 25 years income from carbon: sell a project’s at the price of £19.71 given above**. More DID YOU KNOW? carbon upfront as PIUs, or wait until importantly for many woodland creation successive verifications convert those PIUs, projects, the cash generated upfront Some types of wood glow under UV light. In some tree species, the wood itself may incrementally, into WCUs. through the sale of PIUs is critical: it is This phenomenon can help identify and not glow under UV light but mixing their what enables the project to happen in the distinguish between timber from different sawdust or wood shavings with water or For landowners who can afford to wait, first place. tree species. For example, the wood of denatured alcohol releases compounds selling WCUs can be lucrative. The most black locust and mulberry appear very that do react to UV light. This relatively recent ‘Woodland Carbon Guarantee’* But what drives the price in this woodland similar to the naked eye (top photo). When simple method can be part of a tool kit auction saw WCUs achieving an average carbon market? In the UK, the market exposed to UV light, the black locust used to identify timber of endangered tree price of £19.71, which compares favourably is largely voluntary; businesses are not wood appears fluorescent green, while the species, and help combat illegal to the sale price of £4-7 currently achieved required to offset their carbon emissions mulberry wood does not (bottom photo). and exports. by PIUs. (with the exception of the energy sector and some industrial businesses). However, we must account for the fact that we’re comparing a future price of WCUs This means that while supply is of course with the current price of PIUs. Applying a important, demand ultimately dictates discount rate to the price of WCUs brings the market price. Businesses will only their future price back to their present value, pay what they want to for carbon credits, allowing a fair comparison with the present because they aren’t mandated to buy value of PIUs. any, and cheaper offsets can always be procured overseas. For instance, when a discount rate of just 2% is applied, a PIU sold for £7 tomorrow is As a result, what we at Forest Carbon term the ‘charisma’ of a woodland creation project is often critical to the price its carbon can achieve. Most businesses want to buy carbon from woodlands with a strong story and clear benefits to society, be they social, hydrological or ecological.

Rightly or wrongly, this means that carbon from woodlands comprised (primarily) of native species, which enhance biodiversity andor have amenity value for local communities, commands the highest price.

Forest Carbon links landowners who want to grow trees with organisations who want to mitigate the impact of their greenhouse gas emissions and make a contribution to wider environmental benefit.

They can assist landowners with carbon Phillip Anderson and family successfully calculations, additionality assessments and planted native woodland on their organic the sale of carbon. hill-farm in the Scottish Borders. The trees were planted to deliver riparian benefits to the * It should be noted that the Woodland Carbon watercourses on their farm, which flow into the Guarantee operates only in England. Oxnam water, and were part-funded through ** Assuming that the price of the WCU continues to Adrian Davies Imaging. the sale of carbon as PIUs. grow with RPI over that time

Page 12 Page 1313 Water Margin Management: Webinar 1 – Join FAS events from home, catch up online Riverbank Management Riverbanks act While we can’t run events in ‘real life’ all Catch up with webinar recordings as a buffer to the FAS events are being held online. This Missed our Woodland Creation & water environment. means you can join events from the Management webinar series in July? They are a shield National Advice Hub comfort of your own home and you aren’t Catch up whenever suits you. to pollution T: 0300 323 0161 restricted to only those taking place and a home for E: [email protected] close to home. Part 1 – Benefits of Woodlands biodiversity. W: www.fas.scot Restoring banks and creating new riparian Online events are usually about an hour long, • The importance of matching tree woodlands can help prevent flooding, land most happen in the evening, and there’s no species to the planting site. loss and pollution, as well as provide valuable travel time to factor in. Sign up on the FAS • The benefits of woodland for livestock riparian habitat. Learn more about working with website and you’ll receive an email with a link productivity. the natural forces of rivers and watercourses The Farm Management Handbook to follow when it’s time for the event to start. • How woodlands can increase on your farm to slow the flow. 2020/2021, It’s really that simple! biodiversity and the benefits this 41st Edition can bring. Information notes Newly updated Joining online events on the day gives you • How woodlands can contribute to We’ve published some quick reference guides, for 2020/2021, the chance to ask questions and join in with providing public goods. free to download and keep. the Farm live discussions. But if you can’t make it, or Management you see past events you’d like to see, you can Part 2 – Successful Woodland Establishment Quick Guide to Conifer Tree Species Handbook watch the recordings, any time you like. Basic reference for the main conifer species is free to • The importance of well thought suitable for producing timber in the UK. download, or Upcoming woodlands event: out fencing and good ground An expanded version of the species guide you can buy a preparation appropriate to the site. included in Issue 34’s article on growing hard copy from Woodland Creation and Carbon Sales • Choosing quality trees of the right alternative conifers for timber. the FAS website. Wednesday 28 October, 6pm to 7pm provenance. The handbook • Carrying out ongoing maintenance Quick Guide to Broadleaved Tree Species includes Learn more from two of this issues’ especially weeding. Basic reference for the main broadleaved comprehensive contributors, Dr Vicky West of Scottish • Obtaining additional funding from tree species suitable for woodland planting in information to help with business planning. Forestry, (page 4) and George Hepburne organisations wanting to mitigate the Scotland, including habitat value and timber Scott of Forest Carbon, (page 10). This impact of their greenhouse gas properties. The Forestry and Farm Woodlands section interactive online event will help you emissions. includes typical timber prices, example understand carbon schemes and ask Obtaining Permission to Fell Trees budgets for woodland creation and a range questions. Part 3 – Managing Existing Woodlands It’s illegal to fell trees without permission. of other reference information. A simple guide to help you navigate the • Essential for anybody proposing a • Harvesting farm woodlands and getting application process. The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) provides woodland creation project. the best value for your timber. information and resources to help farmers • Learn how carbon sales can improve • Managing your native woodland to Common Pests and Diseases of Trees and rural businesses become more the financial viability of your proposal. enhance biodiversity benefits, especially A summary of the most common problems, profitable and sustainable. • Understand how carbon sales work. through woodland grazing. how to spot them, and how to deal with them. • Find out what the key rules are and if • A case study of an Aberdeenshire farm Follow FAS on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube selling carbon is right for you. where profitable has been Basic Advice about Accessing the Forestry to stay up to date with the latest information. carried out and an FGS grant has been Grant Scheme for Woodland Creation used to improve the woodland and A guide to how FGS funding for woodland Visit www.fas.scot for more free events, farm access. creation works, with guidance on preparing a videos, podcasts and publications covering @FASScot • Managing field and hedgerow trees. successful application. all aspects of farming.

Page 14 Page 1515 and a direct risk to people or to infrastructure and utilities are exempt. It is best to seek the advice of a professional to determine if a tree is unsafe, and to check if any exemptions apply.

What can landowners and managers do?

• Determine if you have any ash trees on your property • Monitor for signs of ash dieback disease • Familiarise yourself with guidance on risk management of trees • Make a plan for what you will do if ash Getting permission trees decline and/or become hazardous • Contact your local Scottish Forestry to fell trees Conservancy Office for advice on permissions including potential It is an offence to fell trees without exemptions first getting permission from Scottish Forestry. This includes clearfelling, thinning, selective felling, felling individual trees, and felling coppice. How to Manage Ash Dieback Above: Ash dieback disease can cause ash Some types of felling don’t need permission. Disease in your Trees trees to become brittle. Check Scottish Forestry’s Felling Permission – Application Guidance to see if any exemptions apply. Clarinda Burrell of ash dieback may need to be removed in Tree Health Policy Implementation Officer, situations where they could be hazardous to If your felling plans aren’t covered by any Scottish Forestry people. Felling or of ash trees with exemptions you need to get permission. ash dieback should only be undertaken by To apply for felling permission you will need Ash dieback disease (often referred to as fully trained professionals as such trees can to submit the following: ‘Chalara’) is caused by fungal spores that be very unpredictable and cause extremely can be carried on the wind, spreading the serious accidents. • Felling Permission Application Form infection between trees. It has been present • Mandate form (if an agent is in Scotland for at least eight years but this Where ash trees are growing away from areas submitting the application on your summer reports from around the country usually frequented by people, and unless behalf) indicate an increase in the impact of the timber production is a key management • Map showing the area you want to fell disease, particularly on older ash trees. This objective, we are encouraging owners to retain • Map showing what species you will disease, and secondary infections from root- ash trees even if they have started to show replant with (if applicable) rotting fungi, can cause all types of ash trees disease symptoms. This will help identify any to become brittle, shed large branches and, in trees which appear to have good levels of Scottish Forestry’s Felling Permission – some cases, collapse. resistance to the disease, will help retain the Application Guidance will help to guide you many conservation benefits of our native ash through the process. Landowners and managers are being trees. and increase genetic diversity through particularly urged to check if they have any natural regeneration from ash seeds (provided Once your application for felling permission ash trees on their property that are within grazing by sheep, cattle or deer is controlled). has been approved by Scottish Forestry, falling distance of a road, path, railway, you can start felling. Do not begin any felling buildings, utility networks (such as power- In most cases felling permission from Scottish work before you receive fully approved lines) or areas of high public access, and Forestry will be required to fell ash trees, even permission. Full details and guidance are watch out for signs of ash dieback disease. if they are infected with ash dieback disease. Symptoms of ash dieback disease available on the Scottish Forestry website. Ash trees suffering from significant levels However, trees that pose an immediate danger in mature ash trees.

Page 16 Page 17 plants to grow beneath them than could tolerate the shade cast by other trees.

Ash leaves also decompose faster than those of most other native trees, playing an important role in nutrient cycling, and creating rich soils.

Replacing ash in native and semi-natural woodlands Ash is the third most common broadleaved tree in UK woodlands. Although it is rarely a dominant species in Scottish , it plays a unique and important role in woodland ecology. Unfortunately, this means that no single tree species can replace ash like for like. In many cases, using a mixture of species will more closely replicate the characteristics of ash. The most suitable replacement species, or species Diversifying broadleaved woodlands for the future Leona Baillie mix, will vary between different settings. This Forestry Consultant A way forward from ash dieback choice depends on the composition of the SAC Consulting existing woodland, and the site conditions in terms of climate and soil type. Additionally, if site conditions are suitable for a wide range of In the Spring 2020 issue of Farm Woodland Managing ash dieback When the ash trees are in leaf, identify any alternative trees, you may be able to choose News, we looked at diversifying woodland tree Dutch elm disease had a huge impact on that appear to be less affected by dieback species based on whether your priority is to species for growing softwood timber. What the rural landscape in the 1960s and 1970s, than others nearby. Prioritise these trees support ash-dependent species or fulfil the about native broadleaved woodlands, and although less so in Scotland than south of the in your management plans and encourage trees’ role in nutrient cycling. semi-natural woodlands? How do you manage border. European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) was regeneration around them. Retaining genetically a woodland suffering from ash dieback? planted to replace many lost elm trees, never tolerant trees to produce seed will be critical in Natural regeneration anticipating the future appearance of ash helping the species survive. If your primary objectives are restoring a Why diversify woodlands? dieback disease (often referred to as ‘Chalara’) native woodland or supporting biodiversity, Making sure woodlands are diverse in terms of which looks set to wipe out 80% of the species. Major efforts to find and breed Chalara- encouraging natural regeneration may be species (as well as spatial and age structure) tolerant trees are ongoing. However, as decline the first choice. This still requires active is beneficial for biodiversity, and the long-term As explained by Clarinda Burrell on page 16, of ash trees becomes more evident with management, for example thinning to open health of the woodland as a whole. Here we’ll dead or dying ash trees that are unsafe should each passing year, so does the urgency of the canopy, controlling such focus on management in response to ash be felled by a fully trained professional; the replacing them. as Rhodedendron and protecting young trees dieback but this is just one threat to our trees. particularly brittle wood makes felling these from herbivores. There are many other pests and diseases trees very unpredictable. If infected trees don’t If you lose ash trees to dieback, what can that could arrive in the UK and the principles pose a safety risk, eg away from roadsides, replace them? Natural succession will occur where lost trees discussed here could be beneficial for any people and property, they should be left alone. create openings in the woodland canopy. This semi-natural woodland. The aim is to retain trees that can tolerate and Alternative species for biodiversity gives any tolerant ash the chance to self- survive the disease. Ash are a keystone species, known to support seed. Where ash is a minor component of the A mix of trees and shrubs that mimics the around 1000 different species of plants and woodland, the gaps left may not be sufficient composition of a naturally occurring woodland Dying or dead trees also remain valuable as animals, from birds and insects, to lichen for significant regeneration of any species – type, suited to the local conditions, can deadwood. Holes and hollow trunks provide and mosses. the crowns of adjacent surviving trees may support a wide range of woodland plants and nesting for birds, and roosts for bats. The grow to fill the gaps. Consider thinning to animals, and function as a whole ecosystem. deadwood itself feeds decomposer species They also indirectly support many species of encourage regeneration. Greater diversity of species also means of invertebrates and fungi that are essential understory plants. The canopy of an ash casts resilience in a changing climate, effectively for a healthy functioning ecosystem. If felling is less shade than many other trees, and they’re Otherwise, what is most likely to replace ash will spreading your bets on how trees will adapt to necessary, leaving some or all of the timber on one of the first species to shed their leaves depend on what other tree species are present future climate conditions. site will benefit biodiversity. in autumn. This allows more light-demanding in the woodland, and nearby. CONTINUED OVER Page 18 Page 19

Initially shrubs such as hazel, hawthorn and will help to enhance the woodland. Consider elder, often associated with ash woodlands, including some of the minor tree species and are likely to colonise. After 10-15 years tree shrubs that aren’t already there. These lists species such as sycamore or beech the serve as a starting point – it is essential to lowlands, or birch in more upland areas, are check that each new species you want to plant most likely to fill the gaps in the canopy. will be suited to the site conditions. A forestry agent can help you assess the woodland and In Scotland, Sycamore and beech are classed select suitable species. Alder woodland nettlewith stinging (W6) Alluvial terraces inAlluvial terraces valleys, river mature anddisturbed enriched floodplains, silting loch margins. alluvial soils,Moist peats. enriched fen Alder sallow Grey Elder Ash birch Downy oak Pedunculate as non-native although ‘naturalised’, meaning Holly willow Goat Hawthorn Guelder rose Blackthorn Purple willow they are well established here. They are If your woodland was planted with grant particularly good at self-seeding and are likely funding and is still under contract, you are

to out-compete regenerating ash or other obliged to maintain the original stocking native species. If non-native species make up density, replacing any trees lost to ash dieback a large proportion of the woodland, it may be or other pests and diseases. Contact your better to retain some of these trees initially, local Scottish Forestry Conservancy office for in areas where they are less likely to spread. specific advice. Alder-ash withwoodland pimpernel yellow (W7) Goat willow Goat oak Pedunculate Sessile oak Rowan Holly cherryBird Elder Guelder rose Blackthorn Willow Bay Phase their removal gradually to avoid losing sides Mainly valley and hill-slopes with flushes: streamsides. Base-rich gleys and flushed brown earths. Alder Ash sallow Grey Hazel Hawthorn birch Downy large areas of woodland canopy. They can also Replacing ash outside of woodlands serve as ‘insurance’ for the lost ash trees, in Ash is the UK’s most common tree species terms of woodland cover, and timber revenue outside woodlands, a very common sight in if that is a secondary objective. hedgerows, field boundaries and parklands. These trees play an important role in

Planting connecting habitats. The species that depend Planting may be necessary where there on ash in these situations are particularly is a high density of ash or particularly vulnerable to individual trees being lost. high vulnerability to dieback. In these Valley bottoms and bottoms Valley slopes valley gentle coastal on lowland mainly eastern. margins; earths and base- Brown water poor ground gleys. oak Pedunculate Sessile oak birch Silver Hazel Hawthorn Rowan Holly birch Downy Elm Wych Ash Gean Crab apple Aspen Elder Guelder rose Blackthorn Whin/gorse Broom circumstances regeneration by ash is likely If you have mature trees of any species in mixed Lowland woodland broadleaved with bluebell/wild (W10) hyacinth to be limited. Diversifying a woodland is not a these situations, are there also younger trees

case of planting as many different tree species in between to eventually replace them? Could as possible. As with creating new woodlands, you plant new hedgerows and/or trees to join

it’s crucial that you choose species suited to up existing woodlands to increase the habitat the site conditions and climate. network for biodiversity?

The National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Although mid-aged to mature ash appear more Ravine and valley and valley Ravine sides and heads; rocky. often and basicCalcareous earths and brown base-rich surface gleys. water Ash birch Downy Rowan Hazel Sessile oak elm Wych Alder cherryBird oak Pedunculate Hawthorn Elder sallow Grey system categorises naturally occurring types tolerant to Chalara than younger trees, older Upland mixed broadleaved woodland with dog’s (W9) mercury of woodland habitats. Five of the native trees have the greatest ecological value so woodland types found in Scotland include ash. succession planting should be done as soon as The table lists the major and minor species possible. Ensuring there will still be trees there and gives general descriptions of where each in the future will benefit the animal species woodland type can grow. that depend on hedgerow trees and maintain continuity in the landscape. If it’s a new native woodland created fairly recently, the species mix planted will likely be Further information Lowland mixed mixed Lowland broadleaved woodland with (W8) mercury dog’s Lowland valley valley Lowland slopes; mainly eastern. Base-rich brown earths and base-rich gleys. groundwater Ash oak Pedunculate Sessile oa k elm Wych Hazel Hawthorn birch Downy birch Silver

based on one of these NVC woodland types, Scottish Forestry guidance: Rowan Holly Crab apple Gean sallow Grey Aspen Elder Guelder rose Blackthorn willow Goat Minor Minor • Major and you may already know which one. Whether Management of native ash in Scotland you’re replacing ash or just wanting to increase species diversity, adding new suitable species • NVC field guide to woodland Typical terrain Typical Soil types Characteristic & shrubtree species The most suitable alternatives ash for to biodiversity in bold are Woodland Woodland type (NVC code)

Page 2020 Page 21 Timber Market Report September 2020 Ross Kennedy Harvesting Director, RTS Forestry

It falls to me to write the first Timber Market Report in what is perhaps only the “end of the beginning” of the Covid-19 pandemic. The immediate impact of the Covid 19 lockdown Forestry Grant Scheme Update was severe but timber harvesting and energy or board manufacture, is perhaps processing certainly returned to a version of merely ticking along with prices down around normality quicker than many other industries. £5/t from the peak of the last couple of years. Given the status of production forestry in the This is based on the abundance of sawdust Extra £1m for Woodland Creation New Pilot Scheme: Sustainable Agriculture manufacture of critical products including and chips available from the booming on Farms this Year Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS) pallets, medical packaging, energy and sector replacing use of small-diameter round This additional funding has been provided by Ensuring farmers and crofters can play a key indeed construction boards for the Nightingale timber. There is also an impact from the the Agricultural Transformation Programme. role in a green recovery, a new £10 million fund hospitals, timber harvesting restarted and markedly poor wholesale energy price limiting It aims to help enable planting schemes such is currently open. The SACGS is a five-week- continued through lockdown relatively industrial scale biomass demand. as shelterbelts and riparian woodlands to go pilot scheme, offering grants of up to £20,000 unimpeded, with the backing of the Scottish ahead that might otherwise be too costly to be for farmers and crofters to purchase new Government. A number of major and The exceptionally strong log price is more than viable. Projects receiving this funding much be equipment. board manufacturers were offline for a period replacing the relatively moderate biomass complete by 31 March 2021. however most have now returned and order prices leading to excellent prices for standing The capital items that can be applied for books are strong. timber overall, particularly “loggy” parcels. Only The extra money also means there is still good have been chosen for their effectiveness in time will tell how long this will last in the midst availability for funding across the woodland reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well Since the gradual reawakening of the economy, of a global pandemic but as an industry we will creation grant categories for the current year supporting sustainable farming, by improving standing timber prices have strengthened and continue to make hay while the sun shines. (which runs until 31 March 2021) from the total land and livestock management. have essentially regained all the lost ground budget of £48 million. There is currently good pre-Covid-19. The past two weeks, perhaps The current strong demand has, however, availability of grants for 2021/22 across all The closing date for applications is midnight last few days, have seen sawlogs prices reach highlighted an issue common throughout categories of FGS funding, including Woodland on Sunday 11th October 2020. (almost) unprecedented levels with a critical many land-based industries – the age profile Creation, Woodland Improvement Grants, and shortage in availability of sawlogs leading of our operators. With contractors working Sustainable Management of . Harvesting and Processing Funding to sawmills competing hard for supply. The at or approaching capacity the availability of Funding for harvesting and processing was shortage stems largely from sawlog demand skilled machine and chainsaw operators is £160 Million Investment in increased from £300,000 to £2 million from Ireland where the felling approvals being pushed to its limits. This is only likely Rural Economy for Green Recovery this year. This FGS option aims to support process has all but come to a halt. Additionally, to become more severe given the impending An additional £100 million was announced in local small-scale harvesting and processing strong US demand is soaking up Scandinavian exit from the industry of an aging cohort the Programme for Government for Scottish capacity, enabling farmers and forestry volume which used to find a home in the of skilled machine operators, chainsaw Forestry to increase new planting over the next businesses to diversify. The additional funding UK. The situation in Ireland is worth a Google operatives and wagon drivers. With a political five years, alongside £30 million to Forestry is intended to help businesses adapt and search for those with an interest and certainly focus on woodland creation, woodland and Land Scotland to expand national forests recover from the impact of Covid-19. shows the impact legislation can have when carbon storage, biomass energy and a strong and land. it is not adequately considered. Overall, log processing and logistics sector the industry There were two application rounds this prices are £20/t up from only a number of does provide numerous opportunities. It is A further £20 million has also been allocated year, the second of which ended on 30th months previous. the responsibility of all those in the forestry to increase the supply of young trees and £10 September. If this budget isn’t all allocated sector to demonstrate the opportunities million is available to help farmers and crofters it’s possible there may be a third opportunity Back in Scotland the market for the smaller available to operatives to secure our industry buy new equipment through the Sustainable to apply for these grants – look out for end of the tree, generally utilised for biomass into the future. Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS). future announcements.

Page 22 Page 23 Quick Guide to Woodland Creation Grants The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) supports the creation of new woodland that will provide National Advice Hub economic, environmental and social benefits. T: 0300 323 0161 Payment rates for five of the nine grant E: [email protected] support options for woodland creation are W: www.fas.scot shown in the table below. Higher rates of payment are available for eligible schemes within the following locations: Central If you need more advice on farm Scotland Green Network (CSGN); Cairngorms woodlands or any other topic, the National Park Woodland Expansion Target Farm Advisory Service has a range of Area; Highland Native Woodland Target support and help available: Area; Woodlands for Water Target Areas; Advice line and preferred and potential areas of local For free telephone advice on a wide authority Forest and Woodland Strategies. variety of topics including cross compliance, water framework directive Woodland Total payment rate requirements, climate change and other Creation option per hectare technical issues call us on 0300 323 for initial planting and annual maintenance for 5 years 0161 or email [email protected]. The advice line operates between 9am and Standard Target areas areas 5pm Monday to Friday. Conifer* £2960 £3330 Online Diverse Conifer* £3840 £4320 Our website contains articles, videos and much more at www.fas.scot Native Scots Pine £3200 £3600 Native £3200 £3600 Broadleaves Capital Items Payment Rates Native £6720 N/A In addition to the initial planting grant Broadleaves in there is support for capital items that Northern and may be required to successfully establish Western Isles new woodland.

Central Scotland Green Network Deer fencing £7.60/m additional capital payment contribution Stock fencing £4.40/m Within the CSGN Contribution Area Rabbit-proofing of £1.60/m additional funding is available to Woodland fence Creation schemes. Tree shelters (1.2 £2.00 each to 1.8m) Core Area £2500/ha Gorse removal £720/net ha Outer Core Area £1500/ha Bracken control £225/ha Fringe Area £750/ha *If ploughing is used, reduced payment rates for initial CSGN contribution capped at 40ha in Core Area and Fringe Area, and at 65ha in Outer Core Area. planting apply to reflect the cost saving from this cultivation method.

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