FORESTRY COMMISSION WALES AT THE ROYAL WELSH SHOW


A new edition of a "forester's bible" that has been essential reading for woodland owners and managers in Britain and beyond for more than 30 years will be launched by one of the book's authors at the Royal Welsh Show today (Wednesday, 26 July).

Robert Matthews and Ewan Mackie have painstakingly updated the classic text on how to assess the sizes, shapes, volumes and biomass of trees, forests and felled timber - a vital skill for sustainable forest management.

Robert will launch the new book, entitled "Forest Mensuration: A Handbook for Practitioners", at the Forestry Commission Wales pavilion on the showground at 9.30am.

The book includes new guidance for assessment of dry weight, an important development for the growing wood fibre and energy sectors in Wales, while the advice on assessing wood quantity by weight in general has also been expanded.

A major change is made in the discussion of procedures for assessing standing volume, where low-cost abbreviated tariffing procedures have been incorporated alongside a simplified set of the methods published in the first edition.

The first edition of the book, first published in 1975, has served as an industry standard manual for more than 30 years and is still in regular use by the forestry and timber industries, scientists and researchers. It has also influenced thinking on the presentation of mensuration procedures in other countries.

Robert , who along with co-author Ewan works for the Forestry Commission's Forest Research branch, said,

"We have tried to preserve what was best about the original classic text, while introducing new material to address the needs of modern forestry. Overall, we have aimed to cut through some of the complexities of forest mensuration by making the text easy to read, providing a logical format, and giving additional advice to help readers find the information they need as easily as possible."

• "Forest Mensuration: A Handbook for Practitioners" is priced £24 and can be ordered from Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW; tel: 0870 121 4180; quoting stock code FCBK039.

NOTES TO EDITOR

1. Beyond developments in forestry practice, there have been significant innovations in measurement technologies, computing systems and programs for data processing and statistical analysis since 1975. The fundamental review that would be required to account for these advances goes beyond the scope of the current book. Research and development continues in these areas.

2. Forestry Commission Wales is the Welsh Assembly Government's department responsible for forestry policy. It manages the 320,000 acres (130,000ha) of public forests owned by the Assembly for multiple public benefits such as sustainable timber production, recreation, conservation and rural and community development. It also supports private woodland owners with grants, tree felling licences, regulation and advice; and promotes the benefits of forests and forestry.

More information on Wales's woodlands can be found on www.forestry.gov.uk.

3. Forest Research is the Commission's agency that carries out world-class scientific research and technical development relevant to forestry for a range of internal and external clients. For further information, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk .

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Clive Davies, Forestry Commission Wales Information Officer, 0845 6040845, mobile 07788 190922.