forestry management trees forests environmental economic gain united_kingdom british isles ideal tree growth thanks mild winters plentiful rainfall fertile soil hill sheltered topography growth rates hardwood trees exceed mainland europe growth rates times sweden times finland absence people great_britain covered mature oaks scotland conditions forestry good trees face damage threats arising fungi parasites britain land surface wooded area increasing country supply timber severely depleted second world wars imports difficult forested area britain land surface year established produce strategic reserve timber recovery progress european countries average area woodland square kilometres forest britain publicly owned private sector people work land account britain woodlands rest conifers considering england figures britain native tree flora comprises species britain industry populace uses million tonnes timber year britain forests supply demand fact timber britain home grown paper paper products half wood consumed britain volume october new coalition government suggested sell half forestry commission owned woodland wide variety groups vocal disapproval february government abandoned idea instead set led body published report july suggestions recommended forested portion england rise country land area history british history trend create farmland expense forest furthermore variations climate led significant changes ranges species makes complex estimate likely extent natural forest cover example scotland main areas identified oak dominated forest south highland line scots pine oak pine birch oak north east south west highlands birch outer northern isles far north mainland furthermore effects fire human clearance grazing probably limited forest cover land area scotland maximum stock woodland declined world war forestry added advise policy war better known chairman sir came conclusion order secure double purpose able independent foreign supplies years reasonable insurance timber famine woods great_britain gradually increased million acres quarter millions end war following report formed meet need state forest parks established emergency controls introduced second world wars permanent forestry act landowners given financial incentives devote land forests forestry grant scheme early 1970s annual rate planting exceeded hectares acres planting comprised fast growing conifers later century balance shifted fewer hectares acres planted 1990s planting actually increased exceeding hectares acres year mid-1990s half new planting replaced forestry grant scheme paying nearly twice woodland conifers england woodland grant scheme subsequently replaced english woodland grant scheme operates separate kinds grant forestry projects year introduced replaced 1990s programme resulted establishment celebrated planting seven tree result initiatives british isles places world stock forested land actually increasing rate increase slowed turn millennium current overarching grants scheme includes money forested land ancient woodland ancient woodland defined woodland continuously forested recorded woodland britain profoundly affected human intervention apart certain native scotland predominantly woodland productive terms timber yield rich typically containing number indicator species indigenous wildlife comprises roughly forested area native historic tree species britain relatively impoverished terms native species example thirty species deciduous tree native scotland including birch cherry list tree species existed britain sheer number tree species planted subsequently complete list threats disease threats british woodland involve fungus conifers greatest threat arises related species fungi genus spread acute oak decline cause fungus causes beech bark disease bulgaria ash results trees vulnerable responsible sudden oak death usa killed large numbers japanese trees beetles damage trees majority cause harm notable exceptions include kill young conifers spruce kill eats young tree roots kill dry season rabbits field mice deer farm animals pose significant threat trees air pollution acid rain represent main environmental hazards timber industry produced cubic metres wood cubic metres wood based panels tonnes paper produce timber satisfy domestic demand country net timber paper years country imported wood value million exported million imported million wood based panels exported million imported paper paper based products value million exported million approximately people employed forestry primary wood production country resulting gross value added country million ongoing closure industry likely key driver future growth planting successful forestry requires healthy formed trees resistant diseases parasites best wood straight circular stem spiral grain small evenly spaced branches chances achieving planting good quality seed best possible growing environment commercial seed relatively inexpensive prefer collect seed dry weather seed kept place away damp seeds long term storage apart oak sweet chestnut kept seed tend stored seed best pre treated planting tree breeding programmes ensure best seed hampered trees long life cycles particularly 1950s organisations running programme breeding propagation induced flowering controlled aim producing healthy disease resistant fast growing stock management manages hectares million acres land england scotland making country biggest land manager majority land scotland england activities carried forest estate include maintenance improvement natural environment provision recreation timber harvesting supply domestic industry harvested areas main reason creation commission britain original forest cover left government time wanted create strategic resource timber forest coverage doubled commission expanded include greater focus sustainable forest management public benefits woodland creation continues important role commission works closely government achieve goal forest coverage initiatives woodland carbon code government body responsible regulation private forestry generally illegal obtaining licence commission commission responsible encouraging new private forest growth development role carried providing grants support private forests woodlands contrast sponsored body management natural resources wales formed merger environment assumes roles taken specifically sets forest management standards promotes system provides information service looks environmental social economic impacts timber industry issued certificates encompassing forest plans featuring good forestry practice consider needs nearby communities rural residents living adjacent woodland areas consider tree environmental legislation developing plans plans sustainable harvesting replacement trees indicate road building forest engineering operations required transportation currently vast majority britain timber uses road forests located rural areas heavy timber vehicles severely damaged single lane tracks especially highlands order combat companies forced provide funding repairs alternative transport systems rail coastal shipping despite number forest railways axe rail share timber transport risen opening new lines devon scotland land values price woodland risen proportion productivity reached peak prices acre woodland prices affected favourable tax treatment high value
Forestry in the United Kingdom