timber production
Sustainable forestry
Timber is a renewable resource with a sustainable yield.
Sustainable forestry takes into consideration the varied roles of woodland: •It is a valuable source of timber (for building sector)
•It provides habitats for wildlife
•Important in sustaining biodiversity
•Important role in recreation and leisure activities
Trees removed for timber may be replaced with young tress so that the woodland is regenerated
The following factors may be considered:
Softwood species (sitka spruce,lodgepole pine and larch) are frequently planted since they have relatively high yields and so generate more timber.
Management of timber production is more considerable and alternative systems to clear-felling (large areas of woodland cut down at the same time) are used.
Coppicing (management based on regeneration by regrowth from the cut stumps) can be used for some hardwood species, such as willow, hazel and ash, and causes least disruption on the forest ecosystem.
set aside’ land schemes’
This scheme is set to encourage land owners / farmers to allow areas of land previously used for food production to return to nature by planting trees.E.g. at field margins or small areas of isolated land.
New plantings create a range of habitats that further encourage diversity and improve the aesthetic appeal of the forested countryside.
Soft wood forests advantages
Soft wood forests eg, larch and spruce grow more quickly.
Able to grow in poor soil conditions (less fertile and more acidic soil)- enables commercial woodland to be sited in areas not particularly suitable for intensive agriculture.
disadvantages
The high density of softwood forest planting decreases diversity.
Hard wood forest
Advantages
Indigenous hardwood forests, eg ash and oak provides greater variety of habitats and increased biodiversity compared to introduced larch and spruce. Decomposition of leaves provide soil with nutrients
disadvantages
Hardwood species are
Timber is a renewable resource with a sustainable yield.
Sustainable forestry takes into consideration the varied roles of woodland: •It is a valuable source of timber (for building sector)
•It provides habitats for wildlife
•Important in sustaining biodiversity
•Important role in recreation and leisure activities
Trees removed for timber may be replaced with young tress so that the woodland is regenerated
The following factors may be considered:
Softwood species (sitka spruce,lodgepole pine and larch) are frequently planted since they have relatively high yields and so generate more timber.
Management of timber production is more considerable and alternative systems to clear-felling (large areas of woodland cut down at the same time) are used.
Coppicing (management based on regeneration by regrowth from the cut stumps) can be used for some hardwood species, such as willow, hazel and ash, and causes least disruption on the forest ecosystem.
set aside’ land schemes’
This scheme is set to encourage land owners / farmers to allow areas of land previously used for food production to return to nature by planting trees.E.g. at field margins or small areas of isolated land.
New plantings create a range of habitats that further encourage diversity and improve the aesthetic appeal of the forested countryside.
Soft wood forests advantages
Soft wood forests eg, larch and spruce grow more quickly.
Able to grow in poor soil conditions (less fertile and more acidic soil)- enables commercial woodland to be sited in areas not particularly suitable for intensive agriculture.
disadvantages
The high density of softwood forest planting decreases diversity.
Hard wood forest
Advantages
Indigenous hardwood forests, eg ash and oak provides greater variety of habitats and increased biodiversity compared to introduced larch and spruce. Decomposition of leaves provide soil with nutrients
disadvantages
Hardwood species are