FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS - June 2020 Issue 99 - Confor
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FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS June 2020 Issue 99
TIGERCAT 635D 6 WHEEL SKIDDER
TIGERCAT LH855E with LOGMAX 7000 TWIN HEAD
UNIQUE SERVICES FOR THE FOREST INDUSTRY
treetopforestry.co.uk SOLE AGENTS FOR
Balmakewan Woodland, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire AB30 1QX
Chris Quincey - Sales - 07392 087006
CONTENTS
NEWS & COMMENT REGULARS
5 | EDITORIAL 16 | CONFOR MEMBERS
Confor is a membership organisation
6 | RESTART & RECOVERY DANIEL IDDON
that promotes sustainable forestry and
wood-using businesses. Confor mem- SECTOR MOVES CLOSER TO A THE GROSVENOR ESTATE
bers receive Forestry and Timber News GREEN RECOVERY 36 | WOODLAND CREATION
for free as part of their membership. For 8 | NEWS HABITAT RESTORATION THROUGH
more information on membership, visit LARGE-SCALE WOODLAND
FORESTRY AND WOODLAND
www.confor.org.uk/join-us CREATION
EVENTS HIT BY COVID19
Past issues and articles can be accessed RESTRICTIONS 38 | MARKETS
online at WORK GOES ON IN FORESTRY
www.confor.org.uk/news/ftn-magazine TIMBER AUCTIONS MARKET
AND POLICY REPORT
Non-member subscriptions: SECTOR USES ONLINE TOOLS PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES:
£60 (£65 overseas). TO COMMUNICATE POSITIVE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT
Please contact Liz@confor.org.uk MESSAGES OF CORONAVIRUS ON SECTOR
14 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES:
NURSERIES TIMBER MARKET REPORT
CONFOR CONTACTS NURSERY REVIVAL
51 | LEGAL MATTERS
Stuart Goodall 19 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: EMPLOYING EU NATIONALS FROM
Chief Executive
stuartg@confor.org.uk
TREE PLANTING JANUARY 2021
T: 131 240 1416 CRISIS AGGRAVATING TREE
SUPPLY CHALLENGE 61 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES:
Andy Leitch
EDUCATION
Deputy Chief Executive 21 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: FORESTRY EDUCATION DURING
Andy.leitch@confor.org.uk INTERNATIONAL AND AFTER LOCKDOWN
Mob - 07881510171
EU FOREST AND WOOD SECTORS NEW ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR
Stefanie Kaiser
UNITE FOR PLACE IN RECOVERY EDUCATION & PROVIDENT FUND
Communications and editor FTN PLAN
T: 0131 240 1420 65 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES:
E: stefanie.kaiser@confor.org.uk 23 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: SMALL WOODLAND OWNER
HARVESTING
RETURNING TO WORK
Dr Eleanor Harris COVID-19 – EUROFOREST’S STORY
Policy Researcher
T: 0131 240 1417
E: eleanor@confor.org.uk 24 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: FEATURES
CONTRACTORS | MACHINERY
28 | BIOMASS & WOODFUEL
Caroline Ayre CONFOR SURVEY ON COVID-19
A BIOMASS SECTOR IN THE
National manager for England IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES IN
M: 07500 927482 RESHAPING
E: caroline@confor.org.uk SCOTLAND’S SUPPLY CHAIN
CHANGES TO RHI SCHEME
A VIEW FROM KOMATSU FOREST
DRAX LAUNCHES BIOMASS
Jamie Farquhar
National manager for Scotland
27 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: CARBON CALCULATOR
M: 07817 374906 TIMBER TRANSPORT
E: jamie.farquhar@confor.org.uk FUNDING FOR GREENHOUSE GAS
BIG WHEELS KEEP ON TURNING REMOVAL DEMO PROJECTS
Anthony Geddes 48 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES: 44 | ESTATE MANAGEMENT
National manager for Wales RURAL PROPERTY
T: 074 94079305 PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES:
E: anthony@confor.org.uk FOCUS ON NATURAL CAPITAL NAVIGATING THE WAY FORWARD
AND TREE PLANTING IN FOR RURAL ESTATES
Confor head office and editorial office
POST-BREXIT, POST-COVID-19
59 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2JG INVESTMENT 53 | INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
GAINING FOREST INTELLIGENCE
50 | UPDATE
0131 240 1410 FROM SPACE
PEFC REVISES ONLINE
INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR
CERTIFICATION TOOL
info@confor.org.uk BETTER SEED GROWING
ARE YOU BEING RAIL-ROADED BY
FORESTS AS VIRTUAL AULA
HS2?
www.confor.org.uk
59 | PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVES:
For the latest news of forestry and wood CANADA
sign up to #forestandwood on Twitter COVER STORY
CANADIAN FORESTRY AND
WOOD SECTOR STIRRED UP As we move into Restart
Published by Countrywide Publications,
and Recovery phase, the
Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ
on behalf of Confor.
60 | TIMBER IN CONSTRUCTION logo used for Confor’s
COMBUSTIBLES LEGISLATION Covid-19 coverage
For advertising, contact Laura Munnings evolved to represent our
01502 725866 THREATENS STRUCTURAL TIMBER
sector’s resilience and its
laura.munnings@micropress.co.uk INDUSTRY
role in Green Recovery.
Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd 66 | FORESTRY IN PICTURES Design by A. Wrona
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EDITORIAL
Meeting the challenges head on
STUART GOODALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CONFOR
I
t needs no saying that it’s been I’m very grateful to the many
an extraordinary few months, members who have written to say
and that state of affairs is set to how much they appreciate the
continue as we each find continued support that the Confor
our way towards some form of team has provided. However, we
‘new normal’. all realise that there are still big
While it isn’t clear how long this challenges ahead. As ever, do get
outbreak will last, I’m buoyed by the in touch if you feel there’s more we
knowledge gleaned from meeting could do for the sector.
hundreds of people over 30 years There are certainly companies out
that we are a resilient, practical and there who are finding things tough,
inventive industry. and I’ve spoken with some small
Confor’s priority during the businesses who are very worried
pandemic has been to help ensure about their medium-term viability
as many businesses as possible can even if markets for wood begin to
carry on working, and to do our best pick up.
to help everyone access relevant We have already been talking
information, advice and financial to governments and enterprise
support – where that’s available. agencies across the UK about the
This is driven through our online need for our industry to be a key
Covid-19 Hub and continued email part of what is increasingly being
communications – if you aren’t referred to as a ‘green recovery’,
receiving these please do check and this will gain momentum in the
your spam and make sure we have coming weeks and months.
your up-to-date email address. Reflecting on the past few months,
We are also supporting businesses it has been, and continues to be,
to restart by playing a leading role in some of the most challenging of
the development of safe working times for all of us in both a business
protocols across the supply and a personal sense. On behalf of
chain and supporting FISA as all at Confor I would like to wish you
it prepares a more detailed all our best in the coming weeks and
protocol for in-forest activity, months.
following our early positive We are privileged to work with
work with the Forestry trees and wood, something that
Contracting Association. society needs and benefits from
We’ve also begun a series in so many ways – there is a bright
of well-attended webinars, future beyond this current crisis. In
which all members are the meantime, I’m determined that I
encouraged to join - or and Confor colleagues will do what
view them afterwards. we can to help.
GLOBAL PANDEMIC
Sector moves Impact of the crisis
Nurseries
closer to a The impact of lockdown on plant
production may not be as great as
initially feared. Most of this year’s stock
green recovery
has been dispatched, although some
notable losses are predicted due to order
cancellations and the following two year’s
production is forecast to be reduced, but
interim forecasts suggest there will be
sufficient production to meet forecast
demand, although there may be some
Confor’s Andy Leitch looks at how the Corona shortages in some non-spruce conifers
crisis has treated the forestry and timber supply and broadleaves. A more accurate position
chain and how collaborative working in a crisis for the next two years production will not
be known for a few weeks until lining out
can bring excellent results at pace. and sewing operations are complete. The
public sector nurseries made the decision
W
to close during lockdown and the true
hen the UK government sound platform for most forest-based op-
impact on their production for the next
responded to the threat of erations across the private and public sec-
two years will not be known for some
Covid-19 by introducing a tor to restart very soon. It must be noted
time, however, Newton is trialling a new
lockdown in early March, it that the speed in which these guidelines
seeding system (see ‘Innovative approach
soon became clear that our forest indus- were brought together by the working
for better seed growing technologies’,
tries sector was in a great place to play an group, led by Jason Liggins of Forestry and
p52) that could significantly mitigate the
important part in supporting essential ser- Land Scotland (FLS), was outstanding. An
impact of their closure through lockdown
vices throughout this crisis. illustration of how collaborative working in
on the next two years production.
Confor responded quickly engaging a crisis can bring excellent results at pace.
Read more about nurseries during
with governments and its officials to iden- Confor are also actively working with a
Covid-19 on page 14
tify which parts of our sector were required number of sawmills, panel board proces-
to support the supply chain of essential sors and the HSE to develop and publish
products and services. Part of that process appropriate standard guidelines for work-
has been to work closely with public sec- ing safely with Covid for this part of the
tor agencies, other trade associations and supply chain, as more mills re-open and
industry representatives to develop safe production increases in line with de-
working protocols for all forest and wood- mand.
processing operations. As we move forward into the
Our sector continues to play its part, restart phase it might be useful
with a small army of people across the UK to take stock of the impact to
having prepared, harvested, transported date and what might be the
and processed tens if not hundreds of thou- key issues arising across
sands of tonnes of timber to date, which has the supply chain (right).
been converted into products for essential
services such as food distribution, packag- Summary
ing for medical supplies and wood energy In summary, the economic
products for care homes and hospitals. impact of this awful pan-
Unfortunately, not all the sector was demic has been much less
required to support essential services and on our sector than others,
many businesses have had to close during such as aviation and hospital-
lockdown. Others, such as forest nurseries ity. We have made a positive
and establishment/maintenance opera- contribution to supporting sup-
tives, managed to restart relatively quickly ply chains for essential services
by introducing robust social distancing pro- and will continue to do so, while other
tocols, but at a greatly reduced capacity. parts of the sector managed to oper-
ate at some level by quickly adopted safe
Restart working protocols during lockdown. How-
As we move into the formal restart phase, ever, unfortunately, a proportion of busi- however, a slow start is anticipated and it is
new FISA guidelines, endorsed by HSE, nesses in the sector had to close. important to note that issues such as cash
Working safely during coronavirus (COV- Therefore, news of a restart phase in all flow and market demand are significant
ID-19) in Forestry are expected to be pub- parts of the UK is very welcome and is posi- threats to the viability of some businesses
lished imminently. These will provide a tive sign for the sector moving forward, during this phase.
6 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK
across our supply chain
Establishment and
maintenance
Initially, planting operations almost
came to a halt, but by adopting clear
social distancing and hygiene protocols
planting recommenced in many parts of
the country, albeit in a reduced capacity.
Contractors report that finding effective
methods of safe travel to site as one of
the most challenging issues, the new
FISA guidance should help with this.
Many have also found it difficult to find
accommodation during the lockdown
period and this might continue to be an
issue until the hospitality sector restarts.
Forest managers are reporting that Harvesting and Sawmilling and wood
planting continues, possibly through to
June and back-end planting is considered
haulage processing
as an option subject to ground conditions Harvesting activity has been reported Sawmills producing material for essential
and availability of plants and labour. at 40-70% capacity across the public services have reportedly been running
Weevil spraying has also commenced in and private sector estates through- at 40-70% of capacity throughout
most parts of the country. out lockdown period. Where possible lockdown, whilst others are just moving
Establishment activity in the public suppliers have worked positively with into restart phase.
sector estate has been greatly reduced customers by bringing forward suitable Reports suggest that demand for
or stopped since lockdown and it is parcels to meet demand for material for fencing and garden products is very
envisaged to recommence as we move essential services. Many harvesting teams strong and the palletwood market
into restart phase across the UK. are currently working on a fixed quota, remains good. There are signs that
At present, it not clear how much of the although activity is predicted to increase, demand for construction timber is
planting programme (woodland creation, and some haulage drivers are already growing, albeit slowly, and any significant
restock and beating-up) will not be being called back early from furlough. increased demand will be subject to how
achieved this year, but it will certainly be Rate of increase in harvesting operations quickly the construction industry restarts.
below what was planned will be most influenced by demand for Demand for co-products is patchy across
and potentially have end-product from the construction sector the country.
some short-term and this is an unknown quantity at this The panelboard sector has been
impact on carbon time. particularly hit hard with the lockdown
sequestration Results of a recent Confor survey and production is running very much
targets. of contractors and small businesses below capacity, but in line with demand
Hear more from highlighted cash flow and market from which was a virtually dormant
planters during demand being the two greatest threats construction sector through lockdown.
Covid19 on page 18 to their business in the next 12 months.
Read about how Euroforest experienced
the lockdown on page 23
Looking ahead to a
Green Recovery
Looking slightly further ahead, Confor are planning early discussions with
government ministers and officials about how our sector can contribute
positively to the longer-term recovery stage. There seems to be a lot of
support developing for a ‘green recovery’ where government is being
urged to focus post Covid-19 investment to support sectors that can
make a positive impact on the environment, as well as the economy. Our
focus will be on re-emphasising how much this sector can contribute to
that agenda and we will report on our progress in due course.
CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 7
NEWS
Forestry and woodland events
hit by Covid19 restrictions
APF postponed NEW DATE
23-25
SEPTEMBER WOODLAND
T
he directors of APF have tak-
en the decision to postpone
the event until next year. The
numbers of visi-
tors, maintain so-
cial distancing rules
2021 SHOW
2022
ongoing uncertainties surrounding
Covid19 left the directors of APF
and provide toilets and catering.
• The need not to place an unneces-
Confor Woodland
2020 little option but to postpone
the event this year. The revised
sary potential burden on local emer-
gency services by holding a mass
Show moves to 2022
plan is to roll forward the show to gathering and recognising that As the APF gets postponed to 2021, the Confor
23/24/25 September 2021 at the currently police, ambulance and St Woodland Show, also scheduled for September 2021,
same venue at Ragley Estate. John Ambulance are not attending gets pushed back to 2020.
“You will all be aware of the con- any such events, with no indication Responding to the breaking APF news, Confor
stantly changing advice as to what of when they might do so. Woodland Show chairman Nick Hoare said: “I abso-
we are allowed, and not allowed to • Concerns about our own staff’s lutely think that the APF team’s decision of delay-
do and suggested dates when we safety working at such a large event. ing the show by a year is sensible. A show this year
might be resume some activities,” Concerns raised by exhibitors about would not have been good for exhibitors or visitors.
said Exhibition Secretary, Ian Mill- attending and whether it would be That makes it natural for the Confor Woodland Show
ward. He added that the decision viable for them to do so. to move to 2022. From the earliest days as the South
was taken after carefully consider- Mr Millward added, “It is with a West Woodland Show we have always alternated
ing many elements including: very heavy heart that we made this years with the APF. In many ways I am quite excited
• The current ban on mass gather- decision, but taking all of the above and relieved. By 2022, not only will coronavirus be a
ings is still in place with no indica- into account it became obvious that bad memory, Brexit and trade deals will be sorted and
tion of if or when this restriction will there was only one sensible option we will be on the sunny uplands of ELMS possibly.
be lifted. to take at this time and that was to “I hope the rest of the show committee have had
• Recognising that exhibitors need postpone until September 2021. The as much enjoyment as I have listening to people
to order stock and equipment for show is the industry flagship event proud of how well they are managing ‘distance work-
the show, much of which has a three and everyone in the organising team ing’. For over a decade, the Confor Woodland Show
month lead time and avoid the risk are passionate about it and want to committee has been based in Devon/Wiltshire/Dor-
of exhibitors buying stock for the make it the best we possibly can. We set/Suffolk/Edinburgh and it has been great.”
show which is then cancelled at simply cannot stage the event this
short notice. year to the size and quality our ex-
• Many businesses have been forced hibitors, sponsors, visitors and our-
to close and equipment that some selves want in the light of the cur-
exhibitors would like to have for the rent restrictions. We sincerely hope
show will not be available that in 12 months time the world will
• The potential lack of availability have returned to something much
of nearby hotel accommodation for closer to normal and we can run the
APF staff, exhibitors and visitors event as we and everyone else want.
• The proposed restrictions and “We remain in a robust financial
quarantining of anyone visiting the position and no exhibitor will lose
UK will severely affect exhibitors, their site fees. We will simply roll
their staff and visitors from abroad these forward to APF 2021. Any
being able to attend visitors who have already bought ter event next year. We now have an
• Social distancing rules making it advance tickets can either carry for- extra year to plan so let’s all come
very hard for exhibitors to engage ward their tickets to APF 2021 or re- together to make APF 2021 a huge
with visitors safely quest a refund. celebration of the forestry, arboricu-
• Concerns about safety and busi- “The show is a biannual event ture, trees and timber industry. Put
ness lockdowns affecting the num- and after APF 2021 it will continue the new dates in you diary now -
ber of exhibitors who attend. with this two-year cycle so the next 23/24/25 September 2021.”
• Concerns that safety issues will re- event would be 2023 then 2025 etc.
strict visitor numbers and therefore “We hope that all our exhibitors, If you have any queries about any
badly affect trading levels for exhibi- sponsors and visitors agree with our of the above please call 01428
tors decision to postpone and that by 723545 or email at
• Our ability to safely manage large doing so we can all have a far bet- info@apfexhibition.co.uk
8 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK
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RESTART & RECOVERY
Work goes Policy development, Brexit
and consultations
on in forestry Wales key tool in any forward plans.
and policy
Welsh Government have launched a The Agriculture Bill, which will
co-design process for a post-Brexit allow Government to introduce
Sustainable Farming Scheme for ambitious new land management
Wales focused on the proposed schemes in England and provide for
Farm Sustainability Review. Confor a seven year transition out of the
With the focus on managing has been a primary reviewer on the CAP system, has returned to parlia-
Covid-19, attention has been Wales National Forest evidence re- ment. MPs voted electronically on
view. The seven Wales Area State- the legislation in its last Commons
diverted from other areas of ments have been released on the stages on 13 May, meaning it is on
forestry policy and delivery. website, outlining the key challenges track to pass by the summer.
facing that particular locality, how A consultation on an England
However, although activity has those challenges can be met, and Tree Strategy is expected to open
how natural resources can be better in June.
slowed, grants and regulations, managed.
policy development such as rural Scotland
England The Agriculture (Retained EU Law
support after Brexit, and plant The ELMS framework design con- and Data) (Scotland) Bill is at Stage
health governance all remain sultation has been paused but the 2 at Holyrood. Most of EU law, as it
scheme is still being developed in stands on exit day from the EU, will
essential. This article provides an the background. Defra wanted a convert into UK law as ‘retained EU
overview of key developments. richer, face-to-face, consultation Law’. The Bill ensures that on exit
which they were unable to do with day, the Scottish Ministers will have
lockdown restrictions. The urgent the power to ensure that CAP leg-
need to address the climate and bio- islation continues. This may be as it
diversity emergencies remains, and is or with any simplification or im-
woodland creation is still seen as a provements they may want to make.
Plant health
New import controls
New measures have come into ef-
fect to safeguard the UK (coming
in Scotland on 27 June), and our
forestry and horticulture indus-
tries, from a range of plant health
diseases and pests:
• Xylella – The import of Coffea
and Polygala myrtifolia species is
now prohibited, due to a high dis-
ease rate in these species, as well
as stronger import requirements
for other high-risk hosts (includ-
ing Olive, Almond, Nerium Olean-
der, Lavender and Rosemary).
• Emerald ash borer (beetle) –
New measures applying stronger
import controls to countries with-
in 100km of confirmed outbreak
areas. This includes the removal of
an option, within EU legislation, to
remove the bark and sapwood to
a depth of 2.5 cm for all countries
regulated for emerald ash borer.
This will help mitigate the risk of
importing infected wood which
10 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UKGrants and
woodland creation
In Wales, the expression of interest window for
Glastir Woodland Creation is open until 12 June
2020. There have been a number of changes to the
application process explained in the on-line guid-
ance. In England, claim times to apply for Country-
side Stewardship have been extended to 15 June. In
Scotland, the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) remains
open, with demand strong for 2020 claim year, such
that some options have now been closed (eg re-
structure regeneration) and others like tree health
and forest infrastructure under budgetary pressure.
All options are open for 2021 claim year.
FGS new woodland creation applications
as at Feb 2020 (hectares)
Claim year 2020 2021 2022 2023+
Approved 7,114 1,147 411 534
Submitted - not 3,371 1,638 51 506
yet approved
Sub-total 10,485 2,785 462 1,040
In pipeline 4,519 6,076 2,400
Potential 15,004 8,861 2,862
has not properly met the official re- Britain, northern Germany and The Anecdotally members are re-
quirements. Netherlands. In July 2019, the plant porting an increase in spread of
• Plane tree wilt – More stringent health service intercepted around Ash dieback. In Scotland, the Ash
‘Protected Zone’ requirements for 60 cases of oak processionary moth Dieback Risk Group are working
the UK including measures for plane on recently planted trees in the Pro- with local authorities to incorpo-
trees, intended for planting other tected Zone imported from Europe. rate ash dieback into their Cor-
than seeds, which must now have The Forestry Commission, Animal porate Risk Registers. The Welsh
been grown throughout their life in and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Government has committed to
a pest free area or an EU Protected and the Devolved Administrations setup virtual meetings to make
Zone. The new requirements apply (Wales and Scotland) acted swiftly sure they are able to complete the
to imports to the UK from Albania, to deal with these findings which ash die back strategy in the near
Armenia, Switzerland, Turkey, the included the destruction of infested future. Within the strategy there
United States and the EU-27. trees and caterpillar. In the UK, OPM will be two sets of guidance for
is established in most of Greater land managers, owners and regu-
Monitoring and control of London and in some surrounding lators, focusing on high-risk and
established diseases counties in southeast England. The low risk ash. The health, safety and
Oak Processionary Moth is estab- remainder of the United Kingdom well-being of the public and those
lished in southern, central and west- (UK), during the transition period, who work in the land management
ern Europe as far north as Great continues to be designated a Pro- sector must be treated as a prior-
tected Zone (PZ) with special re- ity. They are hopefully that these
Aerial flights for Phytophthora strictions on movements of oak documents can be presented for
ramorum and Ips typographus have plants to minimise the risk of intro- comment shortly and the sub-
restarted in mid-May in England. ducing this pest to new areas. If you groups (research, communications
With a more precautionary approach suspect or find OPM you must notify and operations) are also being co-
to Covid in Scotland, other methods your local PHSI or to the Forestry ordinated to support work in this
like drones are being used. Commission via TreeAlert. area.NEWS
Webinar speakers
Sector uses online
and efficiently - because it had to be done
that way in the current circumstances.
The first webinar heard how Confor cre-
ated the online hub to react to the unprec-
tools to communicate edented challenges of lockdown - giving
members the information and guidance
needed, then identifying immediate chal-
positive messages lenges.
Mr Goodall said the webinars high-
lighted positive new ways of working.
High-quality webinars with sizeable, wide-
“I think many government officials have ranging audiences could be arranged at
Confor has embraced woken up to the fact that forestry and short to discuss pressing issues and could
the shift to online events wood is an industry and not just a means be more inclusive than face-to-face events,
to deliver biodiversity and leisure benefits,” as people might attend who wouldn’t nor-
enforced by Covid-19, with said Mr Goodall. . “Confor is in talks with mally make it - for reasons of geography,
three successful webinars DEFRA and counterparts around the UK to cost or lack of time. “It’s much easier for
engaging a wide range of discuss what a green recovery will look like a busy individual to set aside an hour for
and how forestry and greater use of home- a webinar than commit half a day or a full
members, politicians, the grown wood could play a role in that. I was day to travel to an event,” he added.
broader forestry industry delighted to hear Lord Deben talking about
and environmental bodies. greater wood use and we will continue our How will Confor events look
regular dialogue with the CCC.” like in the future?
O
ne common theme emerging from Caroline Ayre, Confor’s National Man- Confor’s Deputy Chief Executive Andy
the webinars is that the crisis has ager for England, also stressed the point Leitch is exploring effective options for
highlighted forestry and wood at the first two webinars - which looked future virtual engagement with members
processing as a significant industry in its at the industry response to Covid-19 and and the wider sector, while understanding
own right - through its role in critical sup- support for contractors during the crisis. some members will want to meet in person
ply chains providing key products. Asked what she thought about how forest- as restrictions are lifted. However, Confor
Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on ry and wood might emerge from the crisis, will definitely hold more virtual events in
Climate Change (CCC), made this point she said: “I’m an eternal optimist because future, either completely online or poten-
at the first online meeting of the All-Party we are a long-term business. What’s come tially ‘hybrid’ events where some people
Parliamentary Group on Forestry and Tree out is a recognition that we supply essen- meet up, but others join virtually.
Planting. He said the UK Government had tial products and people are understand- Ben Lake MP, Chair of the APPG on For-
to treat forestry and wood as an indus- ing how important we are in the running of estry and Tree Planting, said no-one could
try and realise the huge potential for the their daily lives.” have imagined at Westminster in February
greater use of timber in construction. The At the second webinar, Mrs Ayre de- that the next meeting would be held online.
Government had to move from words to scribed contractors as the “kingpin” of the He noted the webinar was the first virtual
action, he said, which included using its sector and said Confor was doing every- gathering of the APPG in almost 50 years -
procurement power to ensure more wood thing possible to support them through but very unlikely to be the last!
was used in the construction of public the crisis.
buildings. He added: “We need to have Although short-term concerns about
many more buildings made of wood and training contractors as a result of Covid-19
RESOURCES
that justifies the need to grow the industry were expressed by Andrew Smith of the Links to all three webinars (and reports
to deliver that.” Scottish School of Forestry, benefits of the on them) are on the Confor Covid-19
Stuart Goodall, Confor’s CEO, told the changes to work practices were also identi- hub home page:
APPG webinar that the role of the industry fied. Mark Curtis, a contractor who works in www.confor.org.uk/covid-19/
in helping supply critical products - pallets the Republic of Ireland, close to the border If you have comments about Confor’s
and packaging, biomass and agricultural of Northern Ireland, thought the crisis had future events, email Andy Leitch:
fencing, as well as boards to fit out the highlighted opportunities to complete pa- andy.leitch@confor.org.uk
Nightingale hospitals - had focused minds. perwork online much more simply, quickly
12 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UK2,500 SPECIES When you work with numbers like this, you need a chainsaw range
that makes light work of the task at hand. The Pro Tree Team
OF TREE. at Westonbirt Arboretum use the STIHL range of petrol and
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PA
NURSERIES
C
ER
S
SPECTIVE
Nursery revival
P
Nursery operations
during lockdown
F
Early on in lockdown the practicalities of undertaking
orest nurseries have contin- or in other words over a hundred
nursery work was in the spotlight:
ued to work tirelessly since million trees.
lockdown in March, liaising The nurseries themselves range • Grading sheds were re-configured
closely with their clients and estab- in annual production size of one to • Sowing for future seasons continued but at a
lishment contractors to get hun- over 25m plants per year. They also reduced rate
dreds of thousands of trees lifted,
graded and delivered out to the field
differ as to whether they grow bare
root or cell grown stock, or both.
• Lining out – an intensive activity normally carried
out with five operators sitting on a trailer behind
for new woodland creation and re- They have been hit in different ways, a tractor in a 3+2 formation – was reconfigured
stocking, all while social distancing not least with staffing numbers hav- with reduced operators and screens.
and keeping safe. At the beginning ing reduced whether through the
of lockdown there were in the region government furlough scheme or • Getting staff to work had similar challenges across
industries – a number of nurseries have household
of 35m trees in limbo. agencies.
groups that work for them and this has certainly
The 11 Confor NPG nurseries
eased the logistics of travel and close working
across Scotland, Wales and England What next for the sector?
required at times.
account for in excess of 90% of pri- With stock not moving as expected
vate sector plant supply in the UK, there have been impacts on space
for transplanting seedlings, lining Further work with Defra and
out, space in tunnels, sowing – this Scottish Forestry in particular is
itself impacts on what work can looking at how to help nurseries
be undertaken to ensure stock for move forward in the short and me-
future years supply. Think the rela- dium term likely through grant fund-
tives come to stay so everyone and ing and innovation assistance.#
everything moves rooms, but then Looking ahead, the nurseries are
they stay so nothing can go back to largely back at work, not yet fully
where it should be. operational by any means, but work-
Confor has worked closely with ing to these stricter protocols. They
New growth popping through
everywhere on this field maple NPG members and produced new are adapting techniques to produce
seed bed banishing despair and safe working protocols “Forest as many plants as they can in the
strengthening the knowledge that Nursery Practices and Mitigation” coming seasons although species
there are better times ahead. Nursery demonstrating how work can be and provenance range and grading
sector back on its feet nursing an
expensive headache but looking
carried out safely, responsibly and may be reduced. Prices are likely to
forwards in line with official guidance. This is be up as well due to higher opera-
Picture: Trees Please available on the Confor website. tional costs.
In the spotlight
Christies of Fochabers
The Confor NPG were meant • One positive outcome for
to have their summer meeting, us from all this is that although
alongside the HTA T&H Group up we have always worked closely
at Christies of Fochabers in June with our staff, this lockdown has
to help them celebrate 200 years strengthened this bond further
in business. Ronald Christie, MD, with the help and constructive
gave the following thoughts: involvement on social distancing
• We have been in business, , safety awareness and increased
trading and growing trees for the hygiene and housekeeping through-
past 200 years, throughout those out the work place, with everyone
times our company has survived showing increased and dedicated
the war years, market uncertain- involvement in general welfare not
ties and various other mountains only for themselves but for their fel-
to climb, those were difficult low co-workers too, this will now be
times to weather but with Covid19 part of our daily life for the foresee-
lockdowns and restrictions hitting able future. Grading shed at Christies (Fochabers) Ltd reconfigured
us hard in mid-March the next • We have become obsessed with modifications made to partition workstations,
clear one-way directions within sheds to ensure social
200 days will certainly prove to about plant health, let’s draw breath distancing. Handwashing stations are more plentiful
be the most challenging that we and consider employers and man- and clearly located as you enter and exit the grading
have experienced. agement health for a change. shed. Picture: Christies (Fochabers) Ltd
14 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UKPhoto © The Crown Estate
Choose PEFC Forest Certification
Your customers’ assurance of responsible sourcing
PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
Discover more at
www.pefc.co.ukCONFOR MEMBERS
Agility a
key trait
to succeed “
in crisis
A global pandemic cannot
stop a determined Daniel
Iddon from reaching his goal
of running a tree nursery
with a focus on innovation
and market responsiveness.
I
t’s just over a year since I set off on my
new adventure as a small commercial
woodland owner, bright eyed and bushy
tailed. I had (dis)allusions on how I could
somehow be part of a global timber supply
chain and yet be local with low carbon ini-
tiatives, until I met an astute sawmill owner
who put me straight. I’ve been grateful for
that early exposure to the competitive in-
dustry and I have met a lot of knowledgable
people who have helped me focus on what
I can achieve. I started this year thinking school to support outdoor education. As a growing conditions our ambition is to meet
the biggest impact to my ambitious plans family, we have collected seeds, grown and the ever changing demand of species and
for managing a small commercial wood- planted trees in the woodland generating provenance to suit market conditions and
land and starting a tree nursery in earnest great memories along the way. grow and meet customer demand within
was the two consecutive storms we had in The nursery has ramped up production that planting year.
January and February. Little did I know that after trials and starting to take shape as Working with foresters and custom-
Covid-19 would change our lives and society we navigate a new way of living. We are a ers in England, Wales and Scotland I have
in a single swipe more than a typical decade relatively small nursery (with a capacity for learnt that they each look for something
just as we sowed our first seeds. 1M cell trees) compared to the larger es- different and trying to solve their problems
The Iddon family name has been synon- tablished industry players but I believe that has helped me focus on what customers
ymous with growing, breeding and show- allows us to be more agile and challenge ultimately want (rather than just healthy
ing rare hardy herbaceous cottage garden the way we use our nursery, resources and plants as we would typically want). The
plants for three generations from nurseries knowledge to develop new techniques and nursery was empty and without the pres-
in West Lancashire. Working with the public challenge the norm. sure of contracts to deliver against we have
through open gardens, access to the work- had time to trial a lot of variables, including
ing nursery and competing throughout Variables growing medium - from peat free to a re-
the UK at RHS Flower Shows for over fifty We have spent the last two years working duced peat mix using wood products. We
years. The decision to rejuvenate the family within FRM and UKISG guidelines collect- developed our medium to suit paper cells
business from growing plants to cell grown ing seeds, developing growing techniques to help reduce single use plastics, waste
forestry tree saplings started two years ago and researching the growing cycle vari- and time/labour handling cells during on
with a vision of growing trees for my own ables to be more efficient to try and meet site planting operations.
woodland using the seeds collected from our customer needs. I’m certain that a lot I only hope I’ve found my niche and
the select Sitka trees in the stand. Most of what we are trying to achieve has been place within the sector so I can continue
people I met and shared this vision with tried before but I also feel that means we to learn, develop and contribute to a more
(and to date) think I’m being too ambitious can keep trying as it has yet to be done sustainable future for our children. If you
and/or naive and whilst they are probably working without the confines of a deadline are looking for a nursery to meet your spe-
right, I have thus far achieved that goal. to make the immediate savings or growth in cies needs, quantities and provenance for
The woodland is being managed with plans profit. One initiative under way is to grow the forthcoming planting season please get
for a log cabin forestry building (using tim- UK-sourced orchard Sitka spruce suitable in contact to find out how we can help.
ber sourced from the woodland) and forest for planting within a year. Given the right www.safwoodland.management
16 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UKND E MI
PA
C
ER
S
SPECTIVE
P
Estate back to work after lockdown
The Grosvenor Estate’s
investments in local timber
supply for heat and a future
sawmill have allowed
the business to weather
the crisis.
S
ince the government announced
lockdown on 23 March, Grosvenor
Estate’s Forestry and Conservation
Team has only undertaken essential opera-
tions. These included an ongoing project
at Eaton Estate to deal with Acute Oak
Decline (AOD), which needed to be com-
pleted by the start of May, and running the
biomass and firewood operations which
benefit elderly and vulnerable people in
our communities.
On 14 May, the team returned to work
in pretty much full capacity. This followed
government advice that those who can-
not work from home should return to work.
A lot of work was done to ensure people
returned to work safely (Standard Operat-
ing Procedures, Risk Assessments and Tool
Box Talks) and this continues.
The Forestry and Conservation Team
works across Grosvenor Estate’s UK rural
estates in England, Scotland and Wales.
Forestry is a large part of what we do but
we also undertake arboriculture, manage
parkland with associated paddocks and
undertake landscape work.
Throughout the lockdown period, the
estate kept contractors in employment
where possible but only where they were
happy to continue to do so; in some cases,
bringing forward work so they could main-
tain their livelihoods.
Greg Vickers, Head of Forestry, said:
“It’s really important to work with contrac- A project to control the spread of AOD was deemed essential and work continued
tors and help them out when we can – they
often bend over backwards for us and we we been operational I think we would have
must be willing to do the same. During lock- had a difficult time – I can’t imagine many CONFOR WELCOMES
down we got a lot of forestry work done people were buying timber – although per-
– the weather really helped. Where we suf- haps the DIY market may have been buoy-
NEW MEMBERS
fered was in the more public facing work ant with everyone at home.
such as the management of green spaces “Looking back on the past two months, Patrick Porteous MICFOR, Midlothian
in our villages and our arboricultural work. but also looking forward, I think our invest- Coillear Forestry Ltd, Inverness-shire
We made a commitment some time ago ments in local timber supply for heat and
Elsoms Seeds Ltd, Lincolnshire
to self-supply biomass boilers and we also in our future sawmill have been the right
run firewood businesses. During difficult move. I’d be interested to hear how local GSI, Midlothian
times people still need heat – perhaps not sawmills have fared, but I expect those that Knight Frank, Westminster
quite so much during the past few weeks supply local will have done better. As we Laurence Crow Limited, Surrey
with the good weather – but we still had move forward, I will be looking to strength-
XCUT Logging Limited, EIRE
on outlet for our timber. We have invested en our local supply chain. I feel people want
in an estate sawmill to produce timber for to buy local and want to buy sustainably”.
our own needs and for sale. This isn’t due to
come online until the end of the year. Had www.grosvenorestate.com
CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 17www.tustins.co.uk
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18 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UKND E MI
PA
TREE PLANTING
C
ER
S
SPECTIVE
Crisis aggravating tree
P
supply challenge
working on a contract for FLS but ing Government’s increased plant-
Richard Wall went out of work as FLS stopped ing targets will become unrealistic
RW Forestry all tree planting operations. It was a without the required tree supply. We
win-win, as I was able to offer them seriously need to look into this if we
work to finish their season while are wanting to achieve planting tar-
D
uring these uncertain times they filled in the resource gaps left gets.
we have adapted to working by the planters I lost due to the lock
throughout the Coronavirus down. Labour
lockdown and have put strict meas- Depending on how long travel re-
ures in place to ensure everyone’s Tree supply strictions will last, we might struggle
safety. We are lucky to work in an Our biggest interruption was when for labour next season. I don’t know
industry were 90% of the time we a few of the tree nurseries closed the percentage of trees that are put
social distance anyways - it’s the na- down after the lockdown was an- in the ground by foreign planters
ture of the job. But we made some nounced, leaving us without plant- that come to the UK especifically
changes to the way we operate to ing stock for some of our sites; to plant trees solely; but my rough
ensure that social distancing is pos- luckily, most of our trees come from guess is that Europeans and Cana-
sible at all times. Travelling in sepa- nurseries that stayed open, so the dians will plant at least 40% of the
rate vehicles, making handwashing impact on our operations was not trees in the UK. I’m involved with
facilities and antibacterial wipes too big. Gone West and the Princes Trust to
available, and making the extra ef- Tree supply is in general an un- start a training program for people
fort to always keep the safety dis- certainty and one of the key factors that are looking for employment to
tance of two metres from each other. influencing whether or not we meet have proper onsite training so they
I‘ve been lucky to keep most of planting targets; the Covid-19 crisis can come away with the experience
my planters going during the lock will aggravate this. With the tree and the qualifications they need to
down with only two planters unable nurseries down to less staff during work withing the tree planting sec- Planters for
to work for personal reasons. I’ve this time its only going to have a tor and hopefully can fill the gap if RW Forestry at
had a squad join me that had been knock-on affect in the future. Meet- we need more labour in future. Glenwargen
CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 19Customer Relations
Manager MAELO R
SAF WOODLAND Hours: Full time Based: Bronington, Wrexham
Forest Nurseries Ltd
MANAGEMENT
An exciting opportunity has arisen to become an integral part of the team responsible for
driving the growth of one of the UK’s largest commercial tree nurseries. We are therefore
looking to recruit a graduate with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the forest industry for
the role of Customer Relations Manager.
Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd, owned by BSW Timber Ltd, forms part of the unique seed to
sawmill offering under the Group umbrella. The nursery produces an extensive range of
commercial forestry and native broadleaf species, marketing in excess of 28 million UK grown
trees a year to customers throughout the UK and Europe. Our investment in a new state-ofthe-
art laboratory highlights our dedication to providing cutting edge research into the benefits of
genetic improvement for commercial tree species.
As Customer Relations Manager, you will play an integral role in developing all aspects of the
business and will need to have a strong interest in the development of alternative species,
as well as plant provenance and the benefits of genetic research. The success of this role
also requires a keen interest in the functioning of a commercial forest nursery and relevant
production techniques.
Your remit will include:
• Visiting customers, reviewing planting needs and advising on stock availability.
• Advising customers on provenance and species choice.
• Participating in trial work on such things as Hylobius control, provenance, species and
fertiliser trials.
• Liaising with nursery production team on customer requirements.
• Promoting our work with universities, colleges, foresters and forestry investment
companies.
• Representing the Company at industry meetings, shows and events.
SAF Woodland Management is a family run business bringing Ideally, we are looking for the following additional skills and experience:
together project management and a specialist cell nursery • Relevant academic qualifications in forestry or related fields.
• Strong commercial acumen with at least 2 years’ operational experience in forestry.
to ensure the right trees for your environment are available at • Strong client relationship management skills.
the right time. We understand every woodland is different and • Valid driving license.
Alongside these attributes, candidates need to be highly motivated, driven, enthusiastic,
as such we don’t offer a one size fits all service.
reliable and adaptable with a willingness to travel as required.
In return, we offer an attractive salary and benefits package, the opportunity of being part of a
www.safwoodland.management talented and well-motivated team, together with first class opportunities for both personal and
career development in a truly national and integrated company.
email: daniel@safwoodland.management
To apply, email your CV and covering letter, clearly stating the position you are applying for, to:
mobile: 07703493773 recruitment@bsw.co.uk
The Company’s Job Applicant Privacy Notice is available at: www.maelor.co.uk/shop/jobs
Marsh Road Nursery | Marsh Road | Hesketh Bank | Preston | Lancashire PR4 6XT www.maelor.co.uk Maelor Forest Nurseries is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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Forestry and Timber News.indd 1 01/05/2020 13:22
20 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 CONFOR.ORG.UKND E MI
PA
INTERNATIONAL
C
ER
S
SPECTIVE
P
EU forest and wood sectors
unite for place in recovery plan
The European forest-
THE CO-SIGNATORIES
based industry
‘ecosystem’ – including The co-signatories, listed below, ask that Committee of Professional Agricultural
the forthcoming EU European Recovery Organisations-General Confederation of
farming, bioenergy, Plan and New Industrial Strategy for Agricultural Cooperatives
furniture and graphic Europe give a dedicated space and copa-cogeca.eu
sectors – has come recognition to the Forest-based industries The European Confederation of
ecosystem. Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois)
together to push
European State Forest Association www.cei-bois.org
for inclusion in the (EUSTAFOR) eustafor.eu/ European Panel Federation
European Recovery plan FECOF – European Federation of europanels.org
organizations representing forest Cepi cepi.org
I
n light of the European Commis- municipalities www.fecof.eu
Intergraf www.intergraf.eu
sion’s expected announcement of Forest-based Sector Technology Platform
which business ecosystems will European Furniture Industries Confederation
www.forestplatform.org
be targeted by the European Recov- www.efic.eu
Confederation of European Forest Owners
ery Plan and new Industrial Strat- Bioenergy Europe bioenergyeurope.org/
(CEPF) www.cepf-eu.org
egy for Europe, the partners of the
forest-based sector (see panel) have
sent a proposal to EU Commissioner manufactured, reused and recycled the sector has been severely hit by
for Internal Market Thierry Breton to in Europe unlike any other ecosys- the shock caused by the Covid-19
include the European Forest-based tem and based on European inno- health crisis: the decline in domestic
Industries Ecosystem as one of the vations and technology. One in five and foreign demand, the interrup-
ecosystems eligible for support in manufacturing companies in the EU tion of the supply chains and logistic
the plan, the European Federation of belongs to the forest-based indus- problems took their toll on our indus-
Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois) tries ecosystem and offers an impor- tries, which expects on average 20%
reported on 15 May. tant amount of jobs well distributed turnover loss in 2020; some parts of
The sector counts more than over all countries and regions and in the ecosystem are more seriously hit
420,000 enterprises (20% of the particular in rural areas. We are also than others. Nonetheless, the forest-
total EU manufacturing sector), 3.5 a fertile ecosystem for digital ser- based industries ecosystem is in a
million of direct employees (10% of vices and applications. We generate The paper unique position to recover by mov-
the total workforce in manufacture) a significant export income to the and printing ing forward, doing so in a way that
industries are
and generates an annual turnover of European economy”, commented is in line with the objectives of the
part of the wider
520 billion euros, 3% of the EU GDP. Beatrice Klose, Secretary General of ‘ecosystem of EU Green Deal. Linked to most other
“As key pillars in our common Eu- Intergraf. forest-based ecosystems, it would also help other
ropean resilience, we are sourced, Like most of the EU industries, industries’. parts ofthe EU economy to bounce
forward.
“Including theforest-based in-
dustries ecosystem in the European
Recovery Plan would be a healthy
injection of green and resilience
into all other ecosystems as we are
linked to renewable energy, textiles,
construction, food and agriculture,
low carbon manufacturing, green
chemicals, health and hygiene, phar-
maceuticals and key packaging so-
lutions. Recent announcements of
large investments in biorefineries
by our member companies are an
example of how this ecosystem can
bring new life to old fossil-based
SHUTTERSTOCK
sectors with renewable materials
that are sustainably sourced in Eu-
rope”, said Jori Ringman, Director
General of Cepi.
CONFOR.ORG.UK FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • June 2020 21You can also read
