Forestry Commission - News - how much wood will there be in the south west?

How much timber will the conifer woodlands of the South West produce over the next 20 years? This is the question that South West Woodland Renaissance (SWWR), a partnership of forest owners and timber processors, have contracted Forest Research (FR) to answer.

The woodlands of the South West include some of the best areas in Great Britain for growing high quality softwood timber. The Forestry Commission alone produces around 200,000 tonnes each year and the research hopes to get an accurate figure for the private production. The forests supply the building and joinery markets as well as providing other benefits through recreation, tourism, woodfuel and landscape management.

Jez Ralph, SWWR Project Officer commented:

”It is vital for the timber industry to know how much timber, and of what species, size and stand assortment, the woodlands can produce over the next 20 years. We are also researching timber properties of south west grown Douglas Fir that will give sawmillers and other potential users essential information they need to invest time and money in developing markets and new processing capacity.”

Forest Research will collect data from 125 woodland sites throughout Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall this summer. Mark Oram, Forest Research’s project manager explained:

“We will be able to give an accurate picture of the current conifer woodland resource in the South West. Sophisticated computer-based models will give a forecast of timber production across almost 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres) of conifer woodland.”

Jez added:

“We are eagerly awaiting the results of this important project because it will considerably increase the accuracy of the production forecast. Greater accuracy means we can develop timber markets – especially for species such as the highly sought after Douglas Fir. We believe managers of conifer woodland throughout the South West will see the value of this research to them and are eager to help us with information.’

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NOTES TO EDITOR:
1. Media contact: Stuart Burgess, Forestry Commission England, 01223 346027, stuart.burgess@forestry.gsi.gov.uk, 07785 748351

2. South West Woodland Renaissance (SWWR) works to regenerate woodland and forestry in the South West for the benefit of the economy, society and the environment. For more information see wwww.silvanus.org or contact Jez Ralph on 01579 372 100.

3. Forest Research is the agency of the Forestry Commission that conducts world-class forest related scientific research. For further information, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk or contact Mark Oram, Project Manager, on 01420 22255

The Forestry Commission manages forests and woodlands across England for timber production, conservation and recreation. It is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/england