Don’t give up on managing our woodlands, urges CLA

Foresters should be in the woods where they are productive rather than sitting in offices writing reports, was the implication at talks held at the CLA Game Fair.

CLA Forestry and Woodlands Adviser Mike Seville was speaking following the recent launch of the CLA’s forestry and woodlands policy, which sets out a vision of what the forests and woodlands of England and Wales should be like in 40 years’ time.

It is a vision of trees valued by all, mitigating climate change, producing biomass for fuel, and, where practical usurping concrete, brick and steel as building materials. It is also a vision of forest managers as carbon traders, and of greater public and private investment going into the planting of trees, and of timber production delivering eco-system services.

Mr Seville said: "Foresters should be thinning woods, getting planting done and getting deer and squirrel populations under control, rather than spending their time sitting behind desks writing more plans."

CLA Deputy President William Worsley, who is a woodland owner, added: "Planting new woods is important, but what is vital is that they are properly managed. The benefit of woodland management is good quality wood, which is a wonderful renewable resource. Managing woods is also good for the environment as trees are one of the best vehicles for sequestrating carbon."

"Unfortunately the biggest threat to the timber industry is lack of viability. The price of timber is 40 per cent below what is was 20 years ago at a time when the retail price index has increased by 85 per cent so you can put two and two together and do your maths.

"My real worry is that forestry has become such a loss making business that people will stop managing their woods, and that will be to the good of none of us," said the rural watchdog’s Deputy President.