Chairman for Plenary Session 2:

Chris Starr, OBE
Consultant Forester and
former Head of the National Forestry School

Biography:

Chris Starr represents the forest industry and land owners and practises as an independent consultant based in the Eden Valley, Cumbria but working throughout the UK and overseas. His career spans over 30 years spent in private and local authority forestry, applied forestry education and training and in consultancy. He has worked with foresters in many countries, most recently from Nigeria and Nepal, and has seen at first hand the effect poor woodland management has on the ability of the resource to provide for the needs of local people. He is the author of a book on practical woodland management aimed at owners new to the sector and recently chaired the Forestry Regulation Task Force for DEFRA. “I believe passionately that well-managed forests and woodlands provide a genuinely sustainable resource, capable of securing multiple benefits for society as a whole. In a small and densely populated country we have a duty to make the most effective and efficient use of our forest resource.” Chris is a trustee of the Forest Industries Benevolent Fund and a community governor of a small village primary school. He was awarded an OBE for ‘Services to British Forestry and Forestry Education’ in 2013 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Speaker:

Graham Taylor
Managing Director
Pryor & Rickett Silviculture
Lugwardine
Hereford
Website: www.silviculture.co.uk

Biography:

Graham has spent over 23 years managing privately owned woodlands in Herefordshire. He joined Pryor & Rickett Silviculture in 1993 as a forester, but since 1998 has been a director of the company. PRS now have over 300 private clients spread across the full range of woodland types in England and Wales. Graham specialises in the sustainable management of Ancient Woodlands and has wide experience of balancing the needs of silvicultural, sporting and ecological interests of private woodland owners. He is currently Marches chairman of CONFOR, a trustee of Woodland Heritage and co-chair of the Future Trees Trust.

Synopsis of Presentation:

Herefordshire’s lowland woodlands present a considerable challenge when practising CCF. The underlying Old Red Sandstone gives rise to hugely fertile deep brown earth soils. These combine with an equitable local climate to provide an excellent medium for tree growth, but also for weed competition. The application of CCF with such strong competition has involved developing longer term understorey management to increase shade to the forest floor.

Seeding cycles for Oak and Sweet chestnut are long. Siboria batschiana infection results in large losses of sessile oak mast in the forest. Masting of many species is infrequent, hence careful seeding canopy development is an ongoing process. Enhanced tree growth and the proximity of grey squirrel nesting / feeding habitat requires a zero tolerance landscape scale control to achieve long term objectives. With rising deer populations, landscape scale deer management has also become pre-requisite for success.

Despite these pressures, CCF has been achieved, working with a pragmatic estate wide small group selection system, utilising a reactive approach to rare pockets of advance natural regeneration and an interventionist approach through planting, with transplants derived from seed gathered from selected estate ‘Plus trees’. Selective crop protection is applied.

Conference Resources:

• Download/View Graham Taylor’s Presentation  [PDF, 4.8 MB]
• Watch Graham Taylor’s Presentation  [Youtube]

Speaker:

Scott McG Wilson
Consultant Forester and Forest Ecologist Aberdeen

Biography:

Following completion of an MSc in Resource Management from the University of Edinburgh (1994) I continued there, undertaking a PhD in Forest Soils and Ecology, working on development of the Forestry Commission’s Ecological Site Classification (ESC). Since 1998 I have practised as an independent consultant forester and forest ecologist, based in Aberdeen (Chartered Forester since 2001). I have worked on a wide range of surveying, consultancy, policy advice and published authorship projects covering native woodland ecology, garden/ landscape history, hardwood tree improvement, alternative conifer species, silvicultural systems and ecosystem services. My professional interests are developing towards integrated rural estate management.

Synopsis of Presentation:

A previous review of alternative silvicultural systems (ATC/ CCF) adoption in Britain was by Hart (1995) (FC Bulletin 115). More recently there has been promotion of wider adoption and ramification of proposed advantages and techniques. A fresh review was conducted by the present author in 2012-13, employing desk study, technical consultation and field visits. Illustrated case-studies of successful ATC adoption were developed. While “classical”, “mature” or “well-developed” ATC still applies to only 2-3% of British woodland, larger areas across all ownerships are now subject to less mature / formalised inception of ATC by thinning responding to natural regeneration of crop species. Emerging objectives include reduced restocking outlay, gradual PAWS restoration, species diversification and increased resilience to climatic and pathogenic perturbations. Continued British expansion of ATC is constrained to some extent by fundamental site factors, principally in exposed upland areas. However operational constraints remain centred on shortages of ATC-relevant equipment, skills and expertise in the British forestry sector as compared to the Continental situation and weakly developed / resourced networks of quantified research, demonstration and monitoring sites. Enabling actions required included increased public-sector funding on a strategic level and re-invigorated participation by academic, private-sector and “citizen-science” actors at a tactical level.

Conference Resource:

• Download/View Scott McG Wilson’s Presentation  [PDF, 13.6 MB]

Websites and References:

1. www.scottishforestrytrust.org.uk
2. Wilson, S.McG. (2014, in press) Living with climate change: Mediterranean trees and agroforestry in Britain? Quarterly Journal of Forestry 108(2): xxx-xxx.
3. Wilson, S.McG. (2013) Adoption of alternative silvicultural systems in Great Britain: a review. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 107(4): 279-293.
4. Wilson, S.McG. (2012) Retaining timber potential after PAWS restoration. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 106(2): 105-118.
5. Wilson, S.McG. (2011) Using Alternative Conifer Species for Productive Forestry in Scotland. Edinburgh: Forestry Commission Scotland.
6. Wilson, S.McG. (2010) Minor conifers in Britain – potential for silviculture and timber utilisation. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 104(1): 29-42.

Speaker:

Dr Áine ní Dhubháin
Senior Lecturer,
School of Agriculture and Food Science,
University College Dublin

and

Lucie Vítková,
PhD student
University College, Dublin

Biography:

Dr Áine ní Dhubháin is a Senior Lecturer in Forestry in the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. She commenced her research career in University College Dublin in 1991 and has focused on three main themes: the socio-economic impacts of forestry; farm afforestation and continuous cover forestry. Since 2002 she has been leading nationally funded research projects into aspects of continuous cover forestry including natural regeneration; light in forest canopies, transformation to CCF in mature Sitka even-aged stands of Sitka spruce using underplanting. She is currently leading the LISS (Low Impact Silvicultural System) project, a collaborative research project between the forest industry in Ireland and University College Dublin.

Synopsis of Presentation:

This presentation gives an overview of the current status of CCF in Ireland. It outlines the results of a survey of forest owners/managers conducted in 2012 which revealed the extent to which, and on what site types, CCF was being practiced in Irish forests. It also presents the results of site visits to a random sample of these sites.

For the past decade or so, research into initiating the transformation process to CCF has been conducted. Originally this research focussed on transforming older stands to CCF through underplanting, more recently experiments exploring the transformation process using different approaches to thinning have been conducted. An overview of the key results from this research will be presented focussing on the results of the thinning experiment.

A number of other initiatives in relation to CCF in Ireland will be described. This will include a description of the expansion of the AFI network and a training exercise on crown thinning that was conducted with forest owners, forest owners and a non forestry group.

Conference Resources:

• Download/View Áine ní Dhubháin and Lucie Vítková’s Presentation  [PDF, 1.9 MB]
• Watch Áine ní Dhubháin and Lucie Vítková’s Presentation  [Youtube]

Websites and References:

1. Ní Dhubháin, Á. 2010. An evaluation of continuous cover forestry in Ireland. COFORD, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Dublin. Link to PDF  [PDF, 2.0 MB]
2. Vítková, L., í Dhubháin, Á., O’Tuama, P. and Purser, P. (2013). The practice of Continuous Cover Forestry in Ireland. Irish Forestry Vol 70 No 1-2. pp 141-156.
3. Ní Dhubháin, Á., O’Leary, D., Keane, M., Farrelly, N. and O’Hare, D. 2001. An Assessment and Demonstration of Continuous Cover Forests in Ireland. Final Report to COFORD. 121 pp.

 

Speaker:

Klaus Puettmann
Edmund Hayes Professor in Silviculture Alternatives,
Oregon State University
Website: www.cof.orst.edu/cof/fs/kpuettmann/group.htm

Biography:

Klaus Puettmann is Edmund Hayes Professor in Silviculture Alternatives at Oregon State University. He grew up in Germany and received a degree from Albert-Ludwig University, Freiburg and from Oregon State University. He was a faculty member at the University of Minnesota from 1992 to 2000 and has been working at OSU since 2001. He has published over 75 peer reviewed papers and two books. His research interests include silviculture and stand development of diverse structured forests, spatial dynamics of plant interactions, and density management. His most recent efforts focused on management aspects that increase adaptability and resilience of forest ecosystems.

 

Synopsis of Presentation:

Continuous-cover forestry and similar alternative silviculture approaches are defined by a set of practices, including 1) partial harvests, 2) variability at small spatial scales 3) mixed species, 4) strong preference for natural regeneration, and 5) avoidance of intensive site preparation and weed control practices. This talk addresses the questions: what is limiting the wider, global application of alternative silviculture approaches and what can we learn from our understanding of these limitations? The presentation highlights how assumptions about social and economic settings, logistic and administrative challenges, and ecological conditions relate to the global implementation of alternative silviculture practices. The talk concludes by suggesting to move beyond an emphasis on principles and practices and develop a sound scientific foundation for alternative silviculture approaches. This foundation should specifically address two future challenges: 1) a renewed focus on managing for multiple values and 2) a special emphasis how management affects the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to changing environmental, social, and economic conditions.

 

Conference Resource:

• Download/View Klaus Puettmann’s Presentation  [PDF, 3.2 MB]
• Watch Klaus Puettmann’s Presentation  [Youtube]

 

Websites and References:

1. www.resalliance.org
2. Brang, P., Spathelf, P. Larsen, P.B., Bauhus, J. Boncina, A., Chauvin, C., Drossler, L. Garcia-Guemes, C., Heiri, C. ; Kerr, G. Lexer, M.J., Mason, W. Mohren, F. Muhlethaler, U., Nocentini, S., Svoboda, M. 2014. Forestry doi: 10.1093/forestry/cpu018
3. Gustafsson, L., S. C. Baker, J. Bauhus, W. J. Beese, A. Brodie, J. Kouki, D. B. Lindenmayer, A. Lõhmus, G. M. Pastur, and C. Messier. 2012. Retention forestry to maintain multifunctional forests: a world perspective. BioScience 62:633-645.
4. Messier, C. , Puettmann, K.J. and D. Coates (edts.) 2013. Managing Forests as Complex Adaptive Systems: Building Resilience to the Challenge of Global Change. Earthscan, London. Link
5. Puettmann, K.J. 2014. Restoring the adaptive capacity of forest ecosystems. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 33:sup1, S15-S27.
6. Filotas, E., L. Parrott, P.J. Burton, R.L. Chazdon, K.D. Coates, L. Coll, S. Haeussler, K. Martin, S. Nocentini, K.J. Puettmann, F.E. Putz, S.W. Simard, and C. Messier. 2014. Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science.

 

Speaker:

Bill Mason
CCFG Chairman
And Senior Silviculturist (Emeritus)
Forest Research
NRS, Roslin
Midlothian, EH25 9SY
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/billmason

Biography:

After four years as a forest manager, since 1982 I have been a silvicultural researcher based at the Northern Research Station near Edinburgh. After a period working on nursery production systems, my interests widened to cover many aspects of the silviculture of conifer forests in upland Britain, including transformation to more diverse and irregular structures. Current activity includes analysis of the evidence for the wider use of mixed species stands in British forests. I have been a member of CCFG since the early 1990s and attempt to put CCF into practice in family woodlands in central England.

Synopsis of Presentation:

The conference included site visits to 2 local forests: Thirlmere Forest which is owned by United Utilities plc, and Wythop Wood, managed by the Forestry Commission. At each location delegates followed a circuit which included 4 stops where presentations were given (see programme).

In the final plenary session Bill Mason presented a summary of the key points raised at each stop.

Conference Resource:

• Download/View Bill Mason’s Presentation  [PDF, 800 KB]

Appendix:

1. The AFI Network and Protocol: developing an International Framework to monitor CCF in Great Britain and Ireland. Notes from the presentation given by Phil Morgan (President, Pro Silva) and Mark and Sharon Rodhouse (Sylvatic Ltd) at Stop 3, Thirlmere Forest. Link to PDF  [PDF, 5.1 MB]
   
     
   
   
2. Thirlmere Forest – Continuous Cover Demonstration Site Guide. Link to PDF  [PDF, 3.3 MB]
3. Wythop Forest – Continuous Cover Demonstration Site Guide. Link to PDF  [PDF, 3.8 MB]

Speaker:

Phil Morgan
President of Pro Silva
Plas y Wenalt
Llanafan
Aberystwyth, SY23 4AX
Website: www.selectfor.com

Biography:

Philippe Morgan is President of Pro Silva and Vice-president of the Association Futaie Irrégulière. He has a wide range of work and travelling experience from South East Asia to Europe and North America. He manages forests in Wales for a living and also works as a consultant in France and in Ireland. He is a Director of SelectFor, specialists in continuous cover forest management, developing an international network of CCF research stands and training plots across Britain and Ireland.

Conference Resource:

• Download/View Phil Morgan’s Closing Remarks  [PDF, 550 KB]

Dr. Scott McG Wilson’s recent report ‘An Independent Review of Adpotion of Alternative Silvicultural Systems (ATC) in Britain’ can be viewed on the CCFG website. The report was funded by the Scottish Forest Trust and the Forestry Commission, but it is an independent study and the views expressed are those of the author. This comprehensive report includes a register of examples of CCF (called ATC in the report) throughout Britain, 30 of which have been worked up into case studies. It also investigates the challenges and issues which are hampering the wider adoption of CCF/ATC in British forests. It concludes with recommendations which cover: 1. More vigorous promotoion of CCF by FC, universities, voluntary groups and professional advisers so that forest managers are more aware of the benefits, and are encouraged to adopt CCF. 2. A need for more demonstration sites and from a wide range of contexts (location, forest composition, ownership), and the development and use of more consistent inventory and monitoring methods. 3. Grant schemes which enable and encourage the adoption of CCF. 4. Continued R & D support at both the national and regional scale with a greater emphasis on the operational and economic aspects. 5. Support and encouragement for providers of more suitable, lighter machinery, e.g. machinery rings. Also, a concerted effort to develop markets and processes which make use of timber of mixed sizes and species. 6. More CPD and in-service training courses that are relevant to CCF.

Wales-on-Line have published an article on CCFG’s recent site visit to Cwm Berwyn, where stands of upland conifer have been managed under CCF for the past 18 years. We are pleased to see that they have used this as an opportunity to make a strong case for the benefits of continuous cover forestry systems. Go to article

We are pleased to announce that Bill Mason was elected Chairman of the Continuous Cover Forestry Group at the AGM on 2nd May, 2012. He takes over from Phil Morgan who resigned to take up the prestigious position of President of ProSilva Europe.

Bill has been the chair of the Scottish committee of CCFG for the last four years and has extensive experience of continuous cover silviculture through his work as a silvicultural researcher with the Forestry Commission. In addition, he has gained practical experience of implementing continuous cover forestry over several decades of managing the family woodlands in Nottinghamshire.