In this issue we have a focus on tree nurseries with three guest articles. One from each of two well established nurseries supplying a wide range of trees and shrubs for hedging, native and productive woodland creation and the often overlooked huge numbers required for replanting.  

In addition, a relative newcomer to the sector in Elsoms Trees but backed by a wealth of knowledge and experience in Rodney Shearer and his team.  Tree planting and woodland creation, however they are impacted by the weather and whether for productive conifer woodland to UKFS standards, or woodlands with a focus on biodiversity and carbon, all are so important to the rural economy and their contribution to mitigating climate change.  As well as the interesting guest articles on nurseries we have a number of other guest contributions and my colleagues highlight wider matters including biodiversity and carbon associated with woodland and connected habitats.  Many thanks to all who have contributed.

Whilst the headlines have been grabbed by the significant reduction to the overall funding for new woodland creation in Scotland, grant rates per hectare have not been reduced and in fact there have been elements of increase.  There is still a very good case to be considering well-designed new woodland creation in Scotland. Equally in England we have seen grant rates for woodland creation substantially increase in recent years, certainly well worth looking at alongside existing farm and estate enterprises in England.  As well as woodland creation grants England benefits from very strong backing for woodland management - read on to find out more about the support that is available.

Many of our clients have a strong timber production element to their rural business, from meeting in house demand for biomass to the supply of large volumes of roundwood to the wider market.  Colleagues in Inverness report on a smaller scale newish mill to the market and day to day we liaise closely with a number of timber merchants and the main sawmills and roundwood markets to ensure that where we are harvesting on behalf of clients they are maximising the return from their valuable crops.  Whilst mill gate prices may be down on the headlines of 20/21, looking over a five-year period they remain good.  We have significant harvesting programs ahead through 2024 so let us hope the weather is kind to the harvesting contractors and merchants we work with.

Our forestry team across Scotland and the north of England would be very pleased to discuss woodland projects from creation, associated biodiversity and carbon to woodland management plans and timber harvesting.  We can manage most aspects of woodlands but sadly, as yet, we cannot control the weather but at least planting some more trees may help!