Size of the hardwood market
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) seeks to encourage greater use of homegrown hardwoods. We own approximately 9% of the broadleaved woodland resource in Scotland, with an annual Scottish hardwood sawlog production of around 20 - 25,000 tonnes.
The majority of Scottish trees are processed in England and the rest of Europe, as there is a good export market for top quality logs felled in the winter months – especially oak and sycamore.
Green Oak in Construction
Green Oak in Construction has been written for the Forestry Commission by the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), Peter Ross and the Green Oak Carpentry Company.
- Read Green Oak in Construction (PDF 5.5Mb)
- You can also download the appendices, references and glossary (PDF 771k)
- There are several green oak case studies (PDF 3.5Mb) that go with the document.
'Making the Grade' - guide to UK hardwood timber
Our guide Making the Grade (PDF 1.2Mb) provides details of the range of species and quality available from our sawn hardwood timber, and highlights the special features of homegrown hardwoods often difficult to obtain from imports.
The guide also gives information on timber measurement, the properties and uses of UK hardwoods, and an illustrated technical glossary.
The hardwood processing sector
The hardwood processing sector in Scotland largely consists of small scale static and mobile sawmillers, many of whom are also involved with making products such as flooring, cladding and furniture.
There is also one large scale hardwood processor in Scotland who, in addition to quality Scottish hardwoods, also cuts tropical hardwoods and large dimension softwoods.
The Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers (ASHS) promotes Scottish hardwood to the Scottish market.
See the timber processing pages for more details.
Current areas of work to help the hardwood sector:
- Helped ASHS members gain "Chain of Custody" certification, which enables them to assure the sustainable supply of hardwood timber products where timber was bought from certified forests.
- Ongoing support is provided to the annual Scottish Woodfair.
- Hardwood log grading, valuing and marketing courses are offered by Forestry Training Services at competitive prices and are open to anyone who wishes to pay to attend. Email enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk for information.
