Forestry

The establishment and improvement of forests might be undertaken for commercial, amenity and environmental reasons.  Our team has the skills and knowledge to advise in each of these areas.

Commercial soft wood forests have shorter growth periods and are commonly plantations of spruce trees. 

Amenity forests are grown long term and are likely to involve hard wood planting or natural regeneration.  These forests are often designed to form environments for leisure pursuits or to benefit wildlife.

Grants are available for forestry and form part of an integrated funding mechanism via the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for 2007 to 2013.  The programme includes grant support for forests and woodlands through a number of forestry specific options including woodland creation, development of short rotation coppice crops of willow or poplar and the sustainable management of forests and woodland improvement grants. 

In addition to the forestry specific grant packages the SRDP programme may offer  indirect support for forestry initiatives through support for renewable energy or measures designed to enhance the rural environment .

Forestry also offers the opportunity to engage in alternative energy schemes such as growth of bio fuel crops like willows or the supply of woodchip for woodchip boilers.

The future of Scotland’s publically owned forests is likely to be the subject of ongoing review. As part of Scottish Government’s response to the forestry provisions in the Scottish Climate Change Bill consideration was given, but ultimately rejected, to the proposal  that  25% of Scotland's forests be made available for lease.

For more information please contact John Hendry.