FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS December 2015 Issue 72 Controlled Release Forestry Fertiliser SINGLE APPLICATION FOR Political DOUBLE THE GROWTH engagement p4 Each granule has • TREEBOOST fertiliser has been a tough, durable scientifically tested in UK forests for resin coating both conifer and broadleaf planting Inside is a specific blend of micro • For application to the root zone at time nutrients of planting Moisture from the soil penetrates the • One 10g application provides essential resin coating nutrients for up to two growing seasons Controlled Release FTheorest nutrientsry Fe dissolvertilise r • Supplied in 1kg bags for easy handling, into a solution in the International and with 10g scoops for easy application granule • In trials, Sitka Spruce treated with As soil temperatures forestry p14 rise (summer) TREEBOOST had double the height nutrients are released growth, and a 60% gain in girth during their first growing season, compared Once all nutrients have been released, to untreated trees the resin coating will decompose AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM MAELOR Email: [email protected] Phone: 01948 710606 Web: www.maelor.co.uk Fencing/timber Data from trials conducted in 2014/2015 season treatment p23 Imported plants are the greatest biosecurity threat to UK forests Image supplied courtesy of Forest Research As well as the existing outbreaks shown above, there are many other pests and diseases heading our way. For example, the Pine Processionary Moth is heading north, arriving recently in Paris on infected nursery stock. And with climate change it is likely that exotic pests such as the Pine Processionary Moth will be able to survive and breed in the UK. To avoid the risks associated with imports, Maelor does not import trees or buy trees from suppliers that import. All of our trees are grown at Maelor throughout their life. www.maelor.co.uk [email protected] Tel: 01948 710606 CONFOR AGENDA CONTENTS 4 CONFOR NEWS £1m fund for forestry confirmed at conference The single voice that Confor steps up political engagement – in the UK and Europe More trees, please is being heard FTN editor takes a break to care for next generation ecent weeks have demonstrated that Confor is making 6 COMMUNICATING OUR SECTOR real progress in promoting the industry. Video will showcase forestry and timber R The One Show featured productive forestry and Confor gets productive forestry message across on sawmilling, and we secured coverage in national print media prime time TV and radio. At an excellent Westminster conference, the Confor media profile grows While Confor’s UK forestry minister paid recognition to Confor’s lobbying Wood Awards winners efforts as he announced that the £1m Fund announced in efforts in promoting the spring budget had been secured for the sector against 8 GROWN IN BRITAIN the sector are reaping the backdrop of further swingeing cuts to Defra’s budget, ‘Buy British’ urges Environment Minister From forest to furniture rewards, it’s no time and the chair of our All Party Group announced there would be a select committee inquiry into forestry. Healthy home-grown woodfuel market for complancency, says In Wales, political engagement has gone from occasional Campaign reinforces importance of our woodlands Stuart Goodall to frequent, and feedback from politicians and officials has 10 SQUIRRELS been that they recognise Confor has stepped up its game in Grey squirrel on the menu representing the sector. In Northern Ireland, the new grant Squirrel Accord: Confor chairs R&D working group scheme reflects excellent work by members. I can assure you, however, that none of this is being 12 ANALYSIS taken for granted and no one will be resting on laurels. Our Can commercial forestry learn from Christmas tree sector has been punching below its weight for too long, and industry? it takes time and repeated effort to not just change that, Growers go head to head for Downing Street honour but also to embed that change and to use it to secure real benefits for the sector. It is a never ending (and resource 14 INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY Canada: a culture of forestry and wood and time-consuming) cycle. Industry called for ‘strong stand’ in climate talks I put much of these, and other successes, down to the Britain’s place in global forestry increasing resources that Confor has secured from its rising Forestry and voluntary carbon markets membership, and from the fact that politicians and officials What pain relief for declining paper markets? see Confor as a credible and professional representative of Startling decline of boreal forest the whole sector – that single voice which they have asked View from the Emerald Isle for, for so long. Looking towards 2016, that single voice is vital to 23 TIMBER TREATMENT, FENCING maintain progress, but also to tackle a new world where the & TREE PROTECTION Forestry Commission no longer operates across cross-borders Duchy Timber and its GB services are up for examination. Association ‘acts to correct misperceptions’ about BS Increasingly politicians are looking to Confor for its views Changes to timber treatment standards, a critical view on forestry and timber. One point we need to get across New materials for ‘greener’ tree shelters is that research, national inventory and plant health need Date set for fencing championships effective UK or GB wide collaboration. And we need to also consider whether we, as an industry, are ready to take on 29 BUSINESS & FINANCE more responsibility. Forest market report by Fenning Welstead Research, for example, is often highlighted as vital, but Timber auctions market report by Oliver Combe the industry contribution is tiny as a proportion of FR’s Euroforest market report by Graeme Ralph budget. There’s an opportunity for the sector to take a much UK forest certification standards reviewed more active and influential role if it is prepared to produce Woodland owners ‘missing out on millions’ the resources, and Confor could bring those together. 33 PLANT HEALTH In 2016, if the sector was able to come together more, then Confor could make a further step-change difference to 34 SAWMILLING the benefit of the industry. The Varma Project 35 LETTER CONFOR CONTACTS Technology in the forest Confor head office Caroline Harrison Martin Bishop 36 COUNTRY NEWS and editorial office National manager for England National manager for Wales 59 George Street, and regional director Rheolwr Genedlaethol i Gymru 43 WOODFUEL Edinburgh EH2 2JG M: 07500 927482 M: 07876 029482 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 0131 240 1410 43 BOOKS Jamie Farquhar Stefanie Kaiser National manager for Scotland Communications and editor FTN [email protected] 44 THE SHARP END M: 07817 374906 T: 0131 240 1420 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Living in harmony www.confor.org.uk Andrew Heald 47 PESTICIDES NOTEBOOK For the latest news We want to hear from you National representative Forestry and Timber News is your Glyphosate – how rainfast is it? of forestry and for N. Ireland magazine, please contact Stefanie wood sign up to Asulox and bracken M: 07771 844653 with your views and comments #forestandwood E: [email protected] Grandfathers – your time has come! on twitter 50 WOODLAND OWNER Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ, on behalf of Confor. Printed by Micropress Printers. For advertising, contact Chloe Stockdale 01502 725835 / [email protected] Research for small woodlands CONFOR NEWS £1m fund for forestry confirmed at Confor Westminster conference Minister claims £1m is a positive signal about the importance the government attaches to the forestry and timber sector Delegates at Confor’s Westminster conference heard a series of positive announcements about the sector – but were also urged to look “outside the forestry bubble” and communicate better with the public. Forestry Minister Rory Stewart recognized Confor’s lobbying as he confirmed a £1m fund announced in the March budget to stimulate new planting in England would not be lost un- der the current spending review and will be Minister Rory Stewart (right), who confirmed the £1m forestry fund at the conference, open to applications soon. with Chris Davies (chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry). It will be used to help fund the planning of Conference panel- planting applications for new productive wood- lists Stuart Goodall land – and will also be available to innovative with (centre) schemes which unlock forestry’s potential to Solitaire Townsend deliver rural employment and economic growth. of Futerra and Mr Stewart said the country had a moral re- Liberal Democrat sponsibility to produce more domestic timber: peer Baroness Kate “We are the third largest net importer of timber Parminter. after China and Japan. If we surround ourselves More conference with wood and live with wood we have a moral pictures at https://flic. responsibility to grow quite a lot of what we kr/s/aHskp8TWFL consume.” He said there were “very many competing in- terests” in rural Britain but added: “We do need to get some more commercial forestry going. had lost our wood culture and allowed it to be- We can have a productive forestry sector which come “moribund”. also fulfils a moral purpose in an increasingly in- Ms Townsend said the forestry and timber telligent and flexible way.” sector had to come up with positive ideas which Mr Stewart accepted that the £1m “would would appeal to the public and had to try to not change the world” but sent a very positive speak directly to them. Asked how forestry could signal in tough economic times about the im- get out of the bubble, she said: “The bubble is portance the government attaches to the for- wonderful for technical, detailed conversations estry and timber sector.