Supporters & Other Like-minded Initiatives
Supporters & Other Like-minded Initiatives (19)
Developing the Super Sycamore
Andrew Leslie, Secretary, BIHIP Sycamore Group.
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| Fine specimen of Sycamore at Farnley Hall Estate, (photo- Tom Walls) |
The importance of producing high quality broadleaves to the viability of forestry in the UK and Ireland is recognised.
In September 2000, the British and Irish Hardwoods Improvement Programme (BIHIP) was launched with the overall aim to “improve the vigour and quality of the basis planting stock”.
In May 2003, the Sycamore Group was formed
with the following objectives:
Sycamore, despite being a naturalised rather than native species, is considered particularly attractive for tree improvement due to its high value, rapid growth, the high levels of biodiversity of certain organisms, such as lichens, that it supports and the high biomass of aphids, which provide an important food source to a variety of organisms.
One of the Group’s strengths is that its members have diverse backgrounds. Members include timber merchants, foresters and researchers specialising in tree improvement. The Group meets twice a year, with meetings being used to co-ordinate activities but also to visit stands of exceptional Sycamore.
To date, a number of stands have been visited by the Group, seeing some impressive ones at Lowther (Cumbria), Bolton (Yorkshire), Leighton (Wales) and Farnley Hall (Yorkshire). The quality of the best trees in these stands has reinforced the view that there is considerable potential for the development of “super Sycamore”.
| Plus Tree Identification |
There are exceptional trees of Sycamore in Britain and Ireland (above) and these are known as “plus trees”.
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| Viable graft of Sycamore (photo – Gerry Douglas) |
Over the next two years, the intention is to locate and collect material for a further 85 plus trees and to register a further eight seed stands. In the longer term, landowners interested in establishing seed orchards on their land will need to be identified.
Although the collection of material from plus trees is focussed on Britain and Ireland, material from other countries is being considered. Visits to countries such as Denmark have shown that there are superior trees overseas. In addition, provenance trials established by the Forestry Commission in the early 1990s, have shown that local British and Irish provenances are not necessarily the best in terms of growth and survival. Being a naturalised species, there are not the biodiversity conservation pressures to use material that is native to the UK and Ireland.
| Seed Stands |
During plus tree selection, stands of superior quality are also being recorded. The group intends to assist landowners of these stands with their registration as seed stands by paying the registration fee required by the Forestry Commission. These will provide a valuable supply of seed from well-adapted, good quality trees in the short-term until the improved seed from seed orchards becomes available. To date five potential stands have been identified; two at Bolton Estate, two at Farnley Hall Estate and one at Castlemorris in Ireland.
Members of the Group are also taking an active role in the initiatives focused on the control of the grey squirrel which poses a considerable risk to the creation of a high quality resource of British and Irish Sycamore. Michael Carey and Charles Dutton in particular, have been active in the European Squirrel Initiative.
The Group has been fortunate in being provided with support from COFORD, Coiltte, The Forestry Commission, Forest Research, Woodland Heritage, Teagasc, and Northern Ireland Forest Service. However, some £12,000 will be needed over the next two years to locate and collect material from plus trees, while additional money will be required to maintain the clone banks in Ireland and England. The intention is to target some commercial organisations with a link to forests or indeed to Sycamore in particular for funds in addition to existing donors.
Finally, the Group would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following people who have hosted field visits:
Bolton Estate: Paul Stevenson
Farnley Hall Estate: Keith Rawling,Wayne Scurrah,
John King
Lowther Estate: Iain Jack, Simon Bullock
Leighton Estate: Callum Campbell
AMAZING WALNUT GROWTH
On Sir James Stirling’s Scottish Estate
The most northern plantation in Britain? Traditionally,Walnuts would survive only south of a line from the Humber to Bristol
Garden Estate is a relatively small estate situated in central Scotland, approximately five miles to the west of Stirling. The estate has many varied woodlands, ranging from some areas of native woodland on SSSIs to commercial exotic conifer plantations. Most of the woods on the estate are relatively small in size, although they are capable of producing very good timber, in particular, Oak. Many different species have been grown on the estate during different eras, the result being a varied composition of trees. These include many ornamental and veteran trees, both as specimen trees and within the woodlands. The current management of the estate allows for this rich woodland diversity to continue for future generations by the planting of many different and more unusual species – although traditional species are still dominant.
To this end a number of plantations have been established that would normally be considered as “unusual”, such as Walnuts, Yew and Dawn Redwood. Although other uses may take priority, all trees on the estate are planted with timber production in mind. The Walnuts are no exception to this, although the desire for diversity and a curiosity as to how well, if at all, Walnuts would grow at Garden were the prime reasons for establishing a small plantation.
| SITE DETAILS |
The Walnut plantation is approximately 0.1 ha in size. It is located on the east side of the Arngibbon Glen, at an altitude of 40 m with a westerly aspect. The plantation lies on a latitude of approximately 56° N, making it one of, if not the most northerly plantations of Walnut in Europe.
The western border consists of semi-mature Sycamore, while the other boundaries of the plantation consist of a mix of scrub (Hazel, Elder and Sycamore) and bracken. A power-line runs along the northern edge and a farm field along the southern and eastern edges. Scrub is kept in check due to adjacent land uses, allowing plenty of light into the plantation, while the Sycamore on the western edge and sloping ground from the east provide essential shelter. Soil comprises a fertile, relatively free draining, brown earth with underlying sandstone.
| ESTABLISHMENT |
A deer fence was erected around the site prior to planting, in addition all trees were protected with 0.60 m tree shelters to protect against damage from small mammals and to aid weeding operations. The plantation was established in spring 1999 with Hybrid Walnut (Juglans regia X nigra), of Department de l’Isère (38) Grenoble provenance from France. Trees were planted at an initial spacing of 2.1m, an overall stocking of 2350 stems per hectare. Routine forest management operations, such as weeding, have been carried out to ensure successful establishment. No beating up has been done due to very low mortality rates (2%), although three stems were stumped back following an early frost. Formative pruning has been carried out – according to French techniques – to encourage apical dominance and reduce heavy branching.
Unfortunately grey squirrel predation has occurred resulting in many stems being damaged.
| GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT |
Unfortunately the squirrel damage, coupled with an
easterly wind, has, in some cases, caused the loss of
the entire leading stem. The worst damage has
undone much of the pruning work, resulting in trees
with several leading stems, most of which are below
the height of the canopy. Despite this the canopy has
almost achieved closure.
Walnuts are not a widely planted forest tree, making a qualitative comparison of growth rates is difficult as no Yield Model currently exists.
Anecdotal evidence, gathered from conversations with other Walnut managers, does suggest that rates of growth are very good, with the Garden Walnuts matching the best plantations in southern England. Interestingly, these plantations are planted with trees of the same provenance.
| CONCLUSIONS |
The site for the Walnut plantation was chosen as it
was hoped it would provide good soils, shelter and
plenty of light. Rates of growth would appear to
confirm this to be the case.
The importance of good site selection can easily be demonstrated at Garden as a few left over trees were planted along a nearby roadside to form part of an avenue. These trees, despite being some 20m lower in altitude and having plenty of light have not performed well. No measurable girths can be found and average height is only around 1.4 m, with the tallest being only around 2.5 m. This has mainly been attributed to a much heavier and wetter soil, although road pollution, lack of weeding and a lack of competition for light may also be factors.
Traditionally Walnuts have been planted at very wide spacings, from 3-4 up to 10 m. (Stocking densities from 1100 to 100 stems per hectare). It is understood that wide spacings are required where nuts are to be harvested as a crop, however, at Garden nut production has never been a priority.
The Garden Walnuts have been planted at a much higher density, at a stocking level much more resembling a timber producing forest and will therefore require early thinning.
Walnut has been viewed as a light demanding species which requires to be open grown, even where timber production is a high priority than nut production.
Recent research however indicates that while Walnut is a light demander it is tolerant of crown competition. Experiments with nurse species have shown that these can promote rapid early growth in Walnut plantation, particularly where a nitrogen fixing nurse species is used.
The Walnuts at Garden will have benefited from a fertile site along with run off from the adjacent field, perhaps explaining rapid growth without a nitrogen fixing nurse.
| RECOMMENDATIONS |
If the Walnut plantation is to produce any utilisable timber, early squirrel control in and around the plantation will be essential. Thinning work will also be required to reduce the density of stems and allow crown development. This may be an opportunity to remove stems damaged by squirrels. In conjunction with this further pruning work should be carried out to minimise branching and ensure that remaining trees have only one apically dominant leader.
Three survey plots were marked with stakes in July 2006, and growth data recorded. These should be used as monitoring plots to assess the effectiveness of thinning operations and future growth.
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Prepared by: Weir Forestry, The Flat, Garden, Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, FK8 3NR. Tel: 01360 850026 Mob: 07876 562370 |
Stevenson Brothers are
“Putting something back”
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The Magna Carta Horse Latin: "Great Charter" |
In 1982, the two brothers established their own business in an old shed on the family farm. Today Stevenson Brothers are still based in Kent and over the past 25 years have produced circa 6,500 rocking horses, which are universally recognised as works of art. They have reintroduced the traditional rocking horse as a ‘today’ item and their large showroom is full of interesting new and antique horses. There is even a ‘Hospital’ for those treasured steeds, which are in need of skilful and loving attention.
New horses are hand-made using only the best materials and traditional craftsmanship. Each horse is numbered and dated on a brass plate and can even be fitted with a secret compartment ! Tulip wood and Oak are used for their painted horses, but they also use Maple, Cherry and Yew.
They have demonstrated their commitment to the long-term value of ‘trees’ and are very proud of their ‘green policy: “Working with hardwoods around the world brings with it an environmental responsibility – Wherever possible hardwoods are bought from suppliers supporting the code of conduct of the International Tropical Timber Organisations.The timbers used come from plantations with a sound replanting policy and as a double guarantee that the wood used in each rocking horse is being replaced, a tree is sent to each customer to plant and care for. To date some 6,500 saplings have been despatched.”
More recently, Stevenson brothers have developed a special relationship with Walnut in a ‘Limited Edition’ rocking horse.
Marc takes up the story: “A number of English Walnut Trees were planted on Runnymede Island, in the middle of the Thames, to celebrate the momentous signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 by King John.We were offered one of these ancient trees in 2002 and once milled and dried this wonderful wood has been made into ten special rocking horses. The leatherwork was specially commissioned and made by the Royal Horse Artillery and is removable to allow the beautiful grain of the Walnut to be fully appreciated.”
‘Rock on’
Visit to Kyloe Wood in Northumberland
by the Continuous Cover Forestry Group on Friday September 29th 2006
Rik Pakenham
The wood came into the possession of C.J.Leyland of Leyland Cypress fame in 1900. Leyland was a retired sea captain who had travelled extensively and wanted to make Kyloe a repository for a collection of conifers. Part of the eastern area known as Old Wood was already woodland; the remaining area was established over the next 30 years, which quadrupled the original size.
The current owners purchased the wood in 1986. The total area is 390 hectares, of which 326 are conifer, 32 broadleaves and 32 unplanted. Altitudes range from 91 to 200 metres. Average rainfall is 625 mm, which is supplemented by the ‘sea hags’, sea mists that regularly hang over the woodland, increasing the moisture and allowing many trees to survive and grow to large sizes similar to their native habitats, and an abundance of lichens usually associated with wetter climatic zones.
Soils range from Boulder Clay, Fell Sandstone and Quartz Dolerite to the Scremerston coal group. Some of these soils overlie limestone. Old coal shafts are found in the wood and lime kilns once flourished nearby.
At one time over 146 species and varieties of conifer grew in normal forest conditions. Some of these have been lost to time and gales, plus considerable replanting during the 1940s. Now 16 conifer species are well represented plus a further 80–90 still growing on the site.
The woodland has recently been designated as a Red Squirrel Conservation Reserve, to try to preserve this species. How long this will be sustainable with Grey Squirrels within 12 miles of the woodland, both to the north and south is debateable.
 Figure 2 |
The management objectives are varied, taking into account the history where this is the only site in Europe in which many of the tree species are grown in forest conditions rather than parks or arboreta. Other considerations were landscape, areas of long term retention, nature reserves and particular micro climates such as rock faces and gullies. They can be summed up as ‘retain the status quo with the minimum of cost’.
The day was attended by over 30 people from all three GB countries.
It was led by Peter Hale the agent, Ian Robinson forest manager and Mark Yorke secretary to the CCFG, with other specialists speaking at various stops.
The first stop set the tone for the day with much debate, interaction and varied experiences from the three different countries being shared. This highlighted the huge variance between the countries governed by different forest strategies, guidelines and grant aid.
The discussion centred on a stand of 1982 Sitka Spruce on a reasonably steep north facing slope, unbrashed, requiring its first intervention. As expected, a wide range of proposals were put forward, which of course was very interesting, but only went to show that managing a forest by committee is impossible. However the main points covered were:
How, when, and was the stand suitable to start the
conversion to CCF ?
Was the stand quality good enough to regenerate
from in the future ?
Was the labour resource available to carry out
‘faller select’ operations, and was it possible to do this
from a harvester in the low light conditions of dense
unthinned stands?
What sort of extraction was suited to these slopes?
If transformed to CCF management is it realistic to
expect that the larger more valuable timber eventually
produced will subsidise the early interventions?
Generally first interventions do not vary
considerably between CCF and plantation forestry
systems, line thinning access racks and or light interrack
removal being the primary aim for both systems.
For this stand this should be implemented sooner
rather than later so that stability is not compromised,
then all the other considerations can be addressed.
Whether this operation would produce income,
break even or make a loss was not clear!
Deer control and damage by Hylobius arbietis
(Large Pine Weevil) were discussed at the next stop,
a clear fall and restock area on the east side of the
forest overlooking the sea and Lindisfarne.
Roe are controlled, Fallow and Red being seen only
occasionally. 42 are culled annually, split 50/50
between bucks and does and concentrating on
yearlings.
If too many adults are removed this results in
greater numbers of pregnancies and multiple births.
Fencing is not used or deemed necessary, however
lack of natural regeneration in some areas,
particularly of Douglas Fir, is likely to be due to
browsing, therefore a possible increase in numbers
removed should be considered. This decision would
be aided by erecting exclusion plots to assess
browse levels.
Control in CCF stands was sometimes made more
difficult due to the lack of open space and this would
need to be addressed as younger stands develop.
Our next stop was in a magnificent stand of 1910
mixed conifers, including Corsican Pine, Douglas Fir,
Western Hemlock, Red Cedar and Sitka Spruce with
individual volumes of up to 5 m³. The owner was
reluctant to intervene, however the lack of
regeneration of the more light demanding species
such as Douglas Fir was due to the high basal area
[figures 1 and 2]. It was felt that up to 25% of the
larger trees should be removed to increase suitable
light conditions, help scarify the ground to aid
regeneration and free the range of younger age
classes already established. Western Hemlock and
Red Cedar regenerated freely throughout most of the
forest and may need to be controlled to favour the
more valuable timber species.
The marketing of large dimension conifer logs was
discussed with local saw miller Andy Scott.
However there is always a good market for large
Douglas Fir. Andy quoted the following approximate
value comparisons: Douglas Fir was four times the
value of Corsican Pine and two to three times the
value of Sitka Spruce at these dimensions. Large
Hemlock, Red Cedar and other species, apart from
Spruce, would most likely be milled down to smaller
sizes anyway and therefore it was not necessary to
grow to these large volumes. Pine at these sizes
would be virtually unmarketable.
Although CCF tended to produce larger individual
trees than plantation forestry, it was not necessary,
for timber production, to produce such large logs as
we were looking at.Therefore managing by target
diameter felling was one way to ensure a marketable
product for each individual species.
The other specie in demand, particularly in Scotland,
was European Larch but not Hybrid or Japanese which
was of inferior quality and it was suggested planted
only for amenity not timber production.
We walked to the next stop through spectacular
stands of mixed conifers, reminiscent of their native
habitats in North America [figures 3 and 4].
Here several small groups of up to 0.4 ha of mixed
conifers had been felled and replanted with Douglas
Fir. Western Hemlock regeneration in some areas was
sprayed out and other areas would be strictly
controlled.
We had a picnic lunch back at the old sawmill
where we had started the day. Here Phillip Wilson
of English Nature spoke about managing
biodiversity in CCF stands and the importance of
rides and open space.
In the afternoon we travelled to the stops by car
along the well roaded access routes.
We walked into a stand of Western Hemlock
[figure 5] approximately 50 years old with groups of
younger regenerated Hemlock, which would be
accepted within this compartment. Discussion
centred on a handout showing the reverse J-curve of
a transect taken through the stand identifying a range
of diameter at breast height (dbh) measurements
before and after the last intervention. The thinning
was heavier where groups of natural regeneration
existed, and the selected target diameter was
between 25-35 cm. After the thinning the reverse Jcurve
was much closer to the ideal than before.
The value of this type of monitoring as well as
assessing the number of seedlings (<130 cm tall) and
saplings (>130cm) was debated. Research showed
that there is a tendency to underestimate the number
of seedlings and overestimate those of saplings.
Although this sort of information is a very valuable
management tool, the costs of recording and
collating it are high. Under the previous Woodland
Grant Scheme monies were available to assist with
this monitoring, but are not now available in England
under the new scheme.
Next we passed a stand of 60 year old Scots Pine
growing on poorer soils with the ground flora
predominantly Bilberry and Heather. The lack of
weed competition had allowed impressive quantities
of Sitka Spruce to regenerate naturally. The
discussion centred on what to do next ? The
consensus was that, subject to the soils being
suitable, to thin the Scots, and depending on stability
and light regimes, adopt a group selection system to
allow the stand to develop. This would release the
Sitka and eventually allow a change of species. Some
Pines would be retained for landscape and
biodiversity. In the light of earlier discussions on the
different monetary values of the species and the fact
that they were here for free only went to reinforce
the change of direction.
Larch planted in 1945, with very patchy 15-20 year
old Larch regeneration beneath, was our penultimate
stop. The area had previous windblow damage and
the limited regeneration had probably established on
the extraction routes. The stand was thinned 5 years
ago to try to encourage further regeneration. The
ground flora consists of dense bracken and grasses,
so pigs were introduced to scarify the area. This was
not successful due to too few animals, and
supplementary feeding being carried out close to the
fence, so any ground disturbance was limited to
these feeding areas. If tried again, thinning should
coincide with a good seed year, so that seedlings can
establish prior to being swamped by weed growth.
Pigs could be used again, but with an increase in
numbers and fed across the site, and/or use chemical
control on some of the more aggressive weed
species.
At our final stop Axel Wellpott a PhD student
explained his experiments on measuring wind speeds
and turbulence within two adjacent stand types. He
will then compare these measurements with ones
previously taken in a wind tunnel. Firstly a two
storey stand of 25 metre Larch with an understorey
of 10 metre Larch and Sitka Spruce, and secondly a
similar stand with no understorey.
Two 30 metre masts were erected in each plot with
an array of instruments sited at different levels.
Preliminary results show that low wind speeds within
the stands are faster where there is no understorey,
but as the speed increases they become faster in the
stand with an understorey.
It is planned to publish the results in 2007 as a FC
Information Note.
Thanks to our hosts for a most enjoyable and
informative day and to the participants who shared
a wealth of knowledge from all parts of Britain.
Also thanks to Sharon Rodhouse for the use of
her notes and Doug Earle-Mitchell for his
photographs.
Should crown or low thinning be used ?
Was it already too late for the first intervention?
Was it better, if stability was not compromised, to
combine the first and second thinnings to make the
operation more cost effective by being able to harvest
larger dimension timber? Or was the first intervention,
which is critical to stand development and future
structure, too late at this stage ?
Figure 3
Hylobius can kill or cause serious damage and
reduced vigour to young trees, principally conifers,
by totally or partially ring barking them. However
this is rarely a problem in CCF stands, and increases
with the size of the felling coup. It is generally
accepted that this is because trees that are left
standing act as hosts for the adults, whereas in clear
cut sites the beetle breeds in the cut stumps and then
feeds on the newly planted trees. One way around
this is not to plant for the first year, which may be
acceptable on poor sites, but on the better base rich
soils rapid weed regrowth and colonisation may be a
worse problem.
Most sawmill investment has been, and still is,
aimed at the high volumes of smaller diameter
plantation Spruce established over the last 50–60
years. Therefore the capacity to handle large logs is
limited and is more likely to be carried out by
hardwood mills which have experience of milling
both hardwood and softwood.
Figure 4
Respacing the Hemlock regeneration to 2 metres
had taken place when the average height was 2-2.5
metres, but in hindsight it was felt this was too early
as much of the Hemlock re-coppiced, or continued
to grow because the plant was not cut off below the
first branch whorl. Later experience from adjoining
areas showed the optimum height would be 4-5
metres, or if left until 6 metres the extra costs
may be defrayed by local markets taking some of
the produce.
Figure 5
Timber Grower & Furniture Craftsman
Peter Savill visits Bill Acworth at Little Hidden Farm, Hungerford
Bill Acworth is an extraordinarily talented
furniture designer and maker. When we visited
his farm in late February, he showed us two
chairs and a bed which he had made recently.
The first chair, made at Mike Abbott’s woodland
in Herefordshire, has cleft Ash legs and rungs that
have been shaped with a drawknife on a shaving
horse. The ladderback rungs are made of cleft
Oak, and show off the medullary rays to great
effect.
Most fascinating and attractive was the seat that was made of the inner bark of Wych Elm. This had been removed from the tree in spring, when the sap was rising. The bark was then cut in to strips before weaving it into a seat – an idea gleaned from traditional North American chair making where Hickory bark is used for similar purposes.
The seat of the second chair is made from a thick piece of Elm from Anglesey, and the other parts from his own farm-grown Ash. Steam bending was necessary in making some parts for both chairs.
 The structural parts are made of Ash, with attractive spokes of Hazel. |
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As reported in our 2002 Journal – Issue No. 7, p26: |
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In 1993 Bill
converted an 11
acre arable field
to a silvo-arable
agroforestry
system. Single
lines of trees were
planted at an
average of 1.5
metres (5’) between trees in the rows and cropping
alleys 12 m (36’) wide were created to suit his
harvesting machinery. The tree lines run north/south
to minimise shading of the arable crops.
Five main tree species were included for longterm
timber production:Wild Cherry, Oak,
Sycamore, Ash and Black Walnut.These were
separated by 6 m (19’) intervals in the rows. First to
crop will be the Ash and Cherry.
Adding Value to Lancashire's Woodlands
Lancashire’s woodland landscape is characterised by small, broadleaved woods, many without a history of recent management. Many are difficult to access and they are often grazed by livestock. Much of the woodland is in the Bowland and Arnside/Silverdale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and contributes greatly to the quality of the landscape. Species include oak, ash and alder, the ubiquitous sycamore and a range of conifers.
Although it is possible to market good quality stems it is extremely difficult to find a reliable economically viable market for much of the timber.
With relatively high felling and extraction costs due to the terrain, much of the timber needs to be converted to a higher value product as close to the woodland as possible if the owners are to make woodland management work pay its way.
The Bowland Initiative Added Value Project (AVP) which completed its work last year looked at adding value to timber to increase income and thus promote the much needed management of these valuable woods.
Before discussing the details of the AVP is worth checking our understanding of the Added Value concept. Although widely used the term can easily become misunderstood. Put simply, timber increases in value as it moves along the timber chain - from a standing tree, through harvesting, processing and finally manufacturing into wooden products.
There are frequently quoted figures that suggest all woodland owners should be adding value. For example a reasonable quality hardwood log may be worth £40 per m3 at roadside whilst the same timber converted into solid floorboards can retail at the equivalent of £2000 per m3. Obviously the processing costs money and the added value does not always translate in to added profits of the same magnitude ! However if the woodland owner can do part or all of the processing, some added profit can be kept in house.
The AVP carried out harvesting trials to demonstrate the process. Timber was felled, extracted and sawn either on mobile sawmills in the wood or at a central depot. The resulting sawn timber was then air and kiln dried and wood products such as flooring, decking and green oak beams produced and sold.
The conclusions, published in the AVP final report, show that while some timber can be taken down the Added Value route it is important to be selective and realistic about what can be achieved. The benefits of the approach are much wider than just the increased profits to the woodland owner. In environmental terms the reduction in transport reduces the pollution from road transport. Local businesses are used to carry out the felling, extraction and processing thus stimulating the local economy.
The Lancashire Woodlands Project will focus on the development of the AV concept by helping to build a viable local woodland economy. The main objectives of the project are to:
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The AVP’s first hardwood floor (Ash) being installed in a property in the Ribble Valley, near Preston. |
- Encourage the management of Lancashire’s woodlands
- Help develop local timber markets
- Refine and develop the Added Value Model
- Investigate the creation of a Woodland Industries Group
The Lancashire Woodlands Project works in partnership with woodland owners, local businesses and the community.
The project is funded by:
- Lancashire County Council
- Forestry Commission
- Countryside Agency
- North West Development Agency (Rural Development Programme)
The project is also supported by:
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust
- Forestry and Timber Association
- H.J. Berry and Sons Ltd.
- Lancashire Rural Futures
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Detail from a Lancashire Craftsman’s chair - from local Elm and Ash (planked, seasoned and kiln-dried by the AVP). |
The cost and expenditure information gathered as part of the AVP has been brought together into a computer model to assist woodland owners and managers to make decisions. The model will help to identify which woodlands are likely to be the most suitable to take down the Added Value route. The model is currently being tested to evaluate its performance in a variety of circumstances and will then be made available to woodland managers. It will not be a magic wand to wave but will be another tool to assist the decision making process.
Another key element of the project work is to investigate the possibility of bringing woodland owners and others in the wood supply-and-use chain together to form a Woodland Industries Group. Initial interest in the idea has been high and a meeting is planned for the near future to see whether there is a viable way forward. The advantage of landowners and business forming a group are many but it is important that the potential members themselves drive it forward for it to be sustainable in the long term.
The task facing the LWP is not an easy one and success will depend on showing local business and the public the advantages that can accrue from using local timber. However with the enthusiasm and support shown by a wide range of people and organisations, the prospects are very good for positive results.
For more information about the LWP or if you would like to receive a copy of the AVP report please contact:
Paul Bullimore |
Crann and ITGA Seminar
at Charleville, Ireland
at Charleville, Ireland
Given the fall in the market value of land after planting, should farmers be compensated for the full cost of acting as custodians of our national forestry asset?
This was just one of the questions raised at a truly unique meeting which took place recently at Charleville Castle in Tullamore It was the first occasion ever that the Irish timber growers have sat down in the same room with the environmental lobby and seriously discussed the future for broadleaf plantations in Ireland.
The meeting was organised jointly by Crann, who as our largest environmental NGO, have always promoted the planting of broadleaves, and the Irish Timber Growers Association who represent the interests of commercial timber growers. The objective was to start engaging in positive discussion and to try and remove misunderstandings about each other’s viewpoints.
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Jan Alexander (President Crann) meets Trevor Sargent TD (Greens). |
Speaking after the meeting, Joe Murray of the Irish Forest Industry Chain said that he was delighted at the outcome and had never thought that he would see the day when people of such diverse opinions could sit in the same room and sensibly discuss forestry issues.
Donal Whelan of the ITGA felt that not only was the meeting long overdue but that it had helped greatly to dispel the many harmful misconceptions that are commonly held about forestry. He was glad to see the practicalities and problems of woodland management outlined so that all sides could see the difficulties that timber growers often encounter.
Ash can hold its own commercially with Sitka Spruce according to Crann vice chairman John Brosnan, but if we are to encourage more planting of the longer maturing broadleaves such as Beech and Oak, then some form of extra payment must be devised. This could be in the form of 30/40 year premiums and this idea is gaining in popularity. The long term nature of growing broadleaves must be recognised. Happily, the timber from Irish grown broadleaves now has an increasing commercial market and sawmiller Clarke Cunningham stated that he now employs six people in furniture manufacture and timber sales. Quality is the key he said, and Irish broadleaves must be produced with this in mind. Customers such as architects have to be shown the kind of top quality product that Irish sawmills can provide and it is a learning process for producer and customer alike.
Grey Squirrel damage - by Jack Tenison |
Some dire warnings came from timber grower Jack Tenison who stated that grey squirrels are the single biggest threat to our hardwoods. We have planted thousands of acres of broadleaves over the past 15 years under the various forestry schemes, at huge expense to both the taxpayer and landowner. These trees can be wiped out in just a few years unless the grey squirrel is either destroyed or neutralised. Deer, which are expanding rapidly almost everywhere are a similar threat. While squirrels attack the tops of trees, deer work from the bottom up and destroy young trees by both grazing and rubbing.
The Hard Facts |
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Declan Little addresses members and guests in the Charleville Woods, together with the host David Hutton-Bury. |
This is largely due to the fall in capital value of land after planting. A hectare of bare agricultural land is worth €10/20000 and more with development value. A hectare of bare land forest, excluding the timber value might be worth €2,500.
While the premiums for hardwoods are attractive over the first 20 years of the life of a plantation, the picture changes when you move forward.
After 40 years, a hectare of Sitka will be worth €15/20000 at today’s prices while a forty year old hectare of Oak will be worth nothing.
For all sorts of visual and environmental reasons, planting broadleaves is a public benefit and because of this, the public should be prepared to reward the farmer for caring for them. The farmer in turn should then perhaps be prepared to provide access to these trees in some circumstances and especially near towns, but cannot be expected to do this without adequate recompense.
Public Access |
The subject of public access arose again during the afternoon session where we took a walk in the Charleville woods. While naturally the public request access to plantations and complain when it is denied, private owners cannot be expected to foot the high insurance bills needed.
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Large oak in Charleville Woods (photo: Janice Fuller) |
If widespread public access to woodlands is to be achieved, then some changes in legislation are required. The present system is ludicrous in that people can bring claims for negligence against property owners at little or no cost to themselves. Some solicitors provide their services on a no foal/no fee basis and many people feel that this practice should be discouraged. Also, people who bring false and/or malicious claims to court and are proven to have done so should surely then face punishment themselves rather than walking away free as currently happens.
Sections of Charleville woods are special areas of conservation and this creates its own problems. Woodland owner David Hutton-Bury is working on an area under the new Native Woodland Scheme and pointed out that if he were to comply fully with the management plan required, he would actually finish up out of pocket despite the grants. Deer are also a huge problem here and because of their grazing, little or no natural regeneration can occur. Deer fencing is probably the only secure way to preserve the area but the cost is prohibitive and currently the Forest Service are not prepared to foot the bill.
Declan Little of Woodlands of Ireland and Kevin Collins of the Forest Service spoke on the management objectives of the scheme and how it is currently evolving. Naturally there are teething problems but these are being dealt with as they occur and the scheme is now attracting an increasing number of participants.
The day long exchange of ideas can only bring benefits and produce a better understanding of commercial forestry and environmental problems alike. As Jack Tenison said, the only way to be certain of failure is to do nothing. Crann and the ITGA have certainly achieved something worthwhile by holding this seminar and field day. Hopefully it will be the first of many.
Joe Barry
The Castle Howard Arboretum
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A typical spring view on Bracken Hill. |
In addition to the attractive "cruck" shelter presented by Woodland Heritage in 2002 - see story page 3 - the Arboretum has seen some exciting improvements in the past year. A second lake has been dug out and the foundations for a surrounding walk and a new bridge are already laid. It will cross the stream below the outlet from the big lake.
A Rootery has been cleverly designed and blends perfectly into the landscape surrounding the Arboretum lake.
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The new Rootery. |
The Arboretum opens to non-members from 1st March to end October (10am - 4pm) on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends - £3.50 per person. It is perfect for dog walkers who love trees! |
During the 2003 season, there will be two band concerts, given by the York Railway Institute Band (5th July and 13th September), and Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, performed by The Odd Socks Theatre Company on 29th June. All these events will take place in a natural amphitheatre in the Arboretum, to which an earthen stage has been added, and are to raise funds to enable the Arboretum to build an environmentally friendly Visitor Centre, based on the experience gained with the Cruck House and the Bird Feeding Station, mentioned above.
More details of these events (and tickets) can be obtained on 01653 648598 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Arboretum Lake with its attractive plantings.
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
The company is the 83rd Livery of the City of London out of 103, but only the sixth to be formed since the reign of Queen Anne. All of its 300 Liverymen and 60 Freemen are involved in the Furniture Industry in some way.
The primary aim of the Company is to promote the design, manufacture, and retail of British Furniture. In order to do so it offers awards, bursaries and prizes (up to £50,000 per year), and arranges courses and conferences to promote craftsmanship and training, advance technical knowledge and enhance standards of design and quality of furniture.
Since 1958 it has run the Guild Mark Scheme to offer prestigious recognition of outstanding furniture, whether from large-scale manufacturers with the Company Guild Mark, or one-off and small batch pieces with the Craft Guild Mark. This page contains some outstanding examples of the latter which are judged to be of outstanding quality in design, craftsmanship, materials and function.
As their Millennium Project the Company decided to create a Furniture Makers’ Walk in the Arboretum at Castle Howard in Yorkshire. It is run by the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust and is managed by The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
The Furniture Makers’ Walk was opened in July 2000, and includes some 29 species of trees used in English furniture making. These tell the beginning of the story of trees to furniture. Each tree is clearly labelled and story boards indicate the uses to which they were put - from structural timber to turnings and veneers, and many features in the life, propagation, growth, management, felling and processing of timber trees. |
Currently the entrance to the Arboretum is a modest portakabin which, unfortunately, is able to display very little educational material. Visitor numbers had increased last year from an almost standing start to 5,000 and are expected to multiply quickly from now on. A larger and improved visitor centre is planned. The role of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers in this will be to develop the themes which relate furniture to the living tree through pictures, touch screen technology and a substantial amount of educational material, particularly appropriate to 10-15 school age groups, but also of great interest to mature visitors.
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Dining Chair in Steamed Pear and Ebony Stringing designed by Jane Cleal and made by Justin Williams | Pair of Side Tables in Rippled Sycamore designed by Richard Williams and made by Bo Korting |
THE ABBOTTS OF ESSEX
This year’s winner of the Association of Polelathe Turners Woodland Heritage Trophy was Katie Abbott with her stunning Yew and Burr elm chair. Wade Muggleton went along to discover how Katie made the journey from School Teacher to Champion chair maker.
To visit Katie and Nick Abbott in the Essex
countryside is to come across two people who clearly
love what they do, their house is full of beautiful
furniture, their kitchen brims with treen and they
even served me scones and jam on wooden plates.
The story of how they came to make Windsor chairs
is in many ways a story of modern life, a story of
families, the rat race, ill health and career changes
that all in turn, lead to owning a wood, working
wood and in the end finding contentment
Living in a town house with a small garden and
four children was the motivation for Nick and Katie
to buy Slough House wood. In 1980 they purchased
the 25 acres of mixed beech, chestnut oak and
conifer, largely as a family resource and an extended
garden, albeit one 20 miles down the road. It was a
place to go and let off steam for family camping
weekends, for tree climbing and sourcing firewood.
The idea had developed three years previously but it
took the coming and going of three summers to find
the right wood.
Having enjoyed dabbling in the woods, it was in
1985 that they both attended Mike Abbott’s (no
relation) first ever Greenwood course. Having had
their eyes opened to the possibility of wood craft they
then made an annual pilgrimage to Mike and his
courses, making a chair and on one course, a pole
lathe to take home.
Katie Abbott with the Woodland Heritage Trophy
Katie a school teacher with a specialism in dyslexia training took to woodwork, in particularly the pole lathe, like the proverbial duck to water and soon began turning out a range of treadle driven quality turning. This period of enthusiastic hobby woodworking, coincided with other life changing circumstances, Nick a partner in a law firm was suffering ill health that culminated in a heart bypass op and a decision to get out of the rat race while he could. So in ’93 he took early retirement, unsure of where the pennies were going to come from.
He and Katie decided to take the dangerous
plunge of turning a hobby into a business and
try making chairs for a living. Now 12 years
later they are firmly established as one of the
country’s leading makers of beautiful Windsor’s.
Working mostly in local English Ash which they source from firewood merchants, along with Oak and Chestnut from their own wood, some Beech, a little Sycamore, some Lacewood, often used as an Elm substitute and the odd bit of Fruitwood, they embody the use of quality home grown timber.
Their clients range from well-to-do professionals to other crafts folk and their chairs have travelled as far as New Zealand and Australia. A specialist line of Nick and Katie’s is children’s chairs, often with names carved in the back, one client has been a repeat customer purchasing one each for her five grandchildren. They now virtually do no advertising, attracting many clients as a result of word of mouth recommendations.
They are part of a self help group called Cambridge
open studios who promote crafts people to open
their workshops and galleries on certain days of the
year. Quality, not quantity and targeting the right
clients are the key, for as Nick says, “whilst an open
day may yield only 30 visitors those thirty can often
result in 15 orders.” In addition they are members of
the Essex Crafts Guild, a network of local artisans
working in a range of mediums.
Equally interesting is the way they work so harmoniously as a team. Katie does all the turning on a pole lathe and most of the marking out, whilst Nick tends to do the seats and the steam bending. They then come together to jointly assemble the chairs/stools. “We enjoy working together, that is one of the attractions of doing it” they say.
Interestingly when quizzed on why Windsor chairs and why green woodwork, Katie confesses“it was only when we owned the wood that I realised timber was the medium I wanted to work in.” As if owning your own wood and turning a woodworking hobby into a business was not enough, Nick and Katie completed the circle by building their own green oak barn with timber from their wood. It took eight years of spare time to complete, but is now a stunning construction the size of three garages. It all came about somewhat by accident for as Nick said, “Whilst walking around the road with a forestry advisor he was so appalled at the low value put on his standing trees that he thought that it was barely worth cutting them down, and so he surmised there must be something better to do with them.”
Wade Muggleton
| In so many ways what Nick and Katie have done embodies the aims of Woodland Heritage, looking after their own woodland, working in quality local timber and looking for alternative uses and added value for timber that the market tells us has little or no value. |
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