24 | Sector Focus: British Timber


to get trees in the ground, and protect the valuable existing resource of productive forests


Forest Research statistics published in June showed that more than 15,000 hectares of new forests were created in Scotland during the 2023/24 planting period. This included a healthy conifer component of 8,720 hectares, alongside 6,320 hectares of broadleaf planting.


Top: Scotland’s forests and


woodlands have been described as a “sustainable powerhouse


Above: Confor is championing the delivery of the Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap


Opposite: The forestry and wood sector is responsible for 34,000 jobs in Scotland alone


◄ Along with the National Wood Strategy for England published by Confor last year, which sets out strategic goals in planting and upskilling to ensure future timber security, the TiC Roadmap creates a fantastic platform for the UK wood producing and construction industries to deliver the potential of home- grown timber.


GETTING WOOD FROM THE TREES In order to secure the long-term supply of domestic timber that we need, it is vital that UK governments recognise the barriers to productive planting and work with industry


TTJ | September/October 2024 | www.ttjonline.com


Planting in England showed encouraging growth, with 4,550 hectares of new woodland creation over the same time period, up from 3,310 hectares in the previous year. The UK- wide figure is also up but still almost 10,000 hectares short of the independent Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) recommendation that we should be planting 30,000 hectares of trees every year. Crucially, the proportion of new softwood- producing forests planted in England was less than 10% of the total. It is our hope that this figure will increase over the next few years on the back of crucial work being done to streamline the consultation process for new planting applications and the statement from the chair of the Forestry Commission in the National Wood Strategy that he wished to see over 30% of new planting to be productive.


There is still ample room for improvement. It is vital the UK government recognises the importance of long-term timber security and works with industry to tackle the net loss of wood-producing forests.


MONEY DOES GROW ON TREES Investment in our sector represents investment in skilled job creation,


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