Scottish Forestry

Guidance for woodland owners after storms

New practical and easy to understand guidance for owners of small woodlands has been published to help them clear storm damaged trees.

The guidance is aimed at woodland owners who may not have experienced windblow of this scale before and are not sure of the key steps needed to manage the recovery of timber.

A Top Ten checklist, supported by a more detailed information note, is now available online.

It has been produced by Scottish Forestry and Confor, in consultation with the NFUS and Scottish Land and Estates.

Welcoming the guidance, Environment Minister Màiri, McAllan said:

“Storm Arwen was the first storm to hit this winter. Very quickly after, the forest industries pulled together and started strategic work to plan out the recovery of fallen and damaged trees.

“There are many smaller woodland owners who have not dealt with such a clear up operation before. This new guidance is aimed at them so that they have clear advice on dealing with the aftermath of Storm Arwen and the subsequent storms.”

Storm Arwen, the most ferocious storm, was the first of the storms to hit Scotland this winter. It was followed by storms Malik, Corrie, Dudley and Eunice, which affected the already weakened and vulnerable trees.

The forestry sector is working well through the extra volumes of timber that is now available and continues to co-ordinate the recovery of timber.

Scottish Forestry has been deploying its staff to the areas most affected and is fast tracking necessary paperwork that is needed. Felling Permissions, which are needed for windblow, are being dealt with in around 16 days, instead of the usual six weeks.

The Forest Research agency has been supplying satellite based data to help the industry quantify how much timber has been affected.

Guidance has also been issued previously to help woodland owners make best use of quality hardwoods that have been brought down by the storms. it correctly. It can also be fitted with the optional FG45 felling grapple to make it an all-round harvesting solution. Tilhill, the UK’s leading forestry, timber harvesting and landscaping company is celebrating after winning the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Sector RoSPA Award 2022, an internationally recognised award from RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) for demonstrating high health and safety standards.

This is the second year running that Tilhill has received the Award in recognition of the Company’s hard work and diligence in ensuring its staff and contractors get home safely to their families at the end of every working day.

Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running Health & Safety industry awards.

Another RoSPA Award Win for Tilhill

On winning the award Gavin Adkins, Tilhill’s Managing Directorsaid: “I am delighted that Tilhill has been judged as Winners of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector once again. This is a proud achievement, and my thanks go to all our staff and contractors for embedding our rigorous safety and assurance culture into everything they do.

“It is wonderful that our Health and Safety culture and system has been judged by others to be of the highest quality in our sector. Whilst we are very proud of our achievement, we cannot stop or even pause in our drive to make the forest industry safer.”

Chris Pike, Tilhill’s Head of Safety & Assurance, said: “Tilhill launched its ‘Insist On Safety’ initiative back in 2009 and is now very much integral to our culture. Our staff and contractors have all played their part in sustaining our drive to improve health and safety over such a long period. This award is fantastic recognition for them of their continuing contribution to upholding the Company’s very high safety and assurance standards.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “This is a fantastic and welldeserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this recognition, the winners join like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to Health and Safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive-up Health and Safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”