Author Archive

This new book, first published in France in 2010, is now available in English. The book presents the approach to irregular silviculture developed by a group of leading French foresters and the network of research stands they have developed to monitor this type of silviculture. The network was established twenty years ago and has now collected data over fifteen years that detail the biological, economic and environmental development of stands spanning the range of species mixtures and regions across France. The network has expanded further with research stands in England, Belgium, Luxemburg and Ireland. Five new research stands in Ireland will be set up before the next growing season and plans for further espansion in Wales are underway. Download brochure or Place an Order

The Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development with responsibility for forestry in Wales, John Griffiths AM, planted a Welsh oak last Thursday to illustrate the principle of carbon sequestration and the benefit in planting new trees in Wales to capture atmospheric carbon and turn it into useful material for substitution; all this being done simply by photosynthesis using the sun’s energy.

The occasion was one of the three annual meetings of the Woodland Strategy Advisory Panel (WSAP) where our chairman, Phil Morgan, represents the group.

Water, another important ingredient required to oil the wheels of sequestration, was in such overabundance on the day that the photo opportunities pointed to reasons why our new thirst for sequestration in Wales has taken so much urgency.

What we do with our forests when we have planted the 100,000 hectares we plan to establish over the next 20 years is in question. And even more importantly what do we do with the ones we already have? We already have 303,500 hectares of woods and forests or about 14.3% of the land in Wales. Tree planting has very definite limits; additionality cannot be toped when we have reached the point of optimal land-use potential or equilibrium. There is only a very limited amount of land still to be planted with trees in Wales for additional sequestration so there may be more value in concentrating on improving the established resource. This drive for new planting may be a convenient distraction being promoted by a profession struggling to wean itself from a culture of controlling species and production cycles. Very encouragingly there were real signs during the visit to a move towards integrated systems where we gain benefits from using natural processes. There is definitely a desire to explore ways to adopt close to nature forest principles so that we grow better timber more cost effectively and provide the sort of environmental safeguards that will mitigate the effects of the rains that nearly washed the Minister away, while also increasing niche spaces for wildlife to develop greater complexity and increasing our carbon storage capacities.

Convincing a profession such as foresters that change is a good thing is hard enough. It is a different issue when convincing the public because they are the owners of the forest and are not concerned with the technical arguments their managers can argue endlessly about. Conveying the right image is all important, and if that message is wrong, it can undo the best of plans. So, if we want to make an argument for forests being guardians of carbon, we have to be clear about what we are saying and to convey the idea in the best possible way. Somehow “come and see our carbon clearfell” or “come, let me show you how we clearfell the carbon” does not go down too well at all. However, “come walk with me in our forest which is here for ever and see how the trees produce the wood to build and heat your homes and are homes for wildlife and how they keep our rivers clean” is much better but much too long and sounds like a cracked record… “Come to the Carbon Forest” has the right ring to it.

CCFG Conference   
CCFG Timber Harvesting Workshop 2010
Presented by Professor Dr. Hanns Höfle

Stourton Village Hall, Wiltshire
12 & 13 May 2010

Overview:

We were fortunate in having Professor Hanns Höfle to run this 2 day workshop which included indoor presentations, and practical field visits to Fontmell Hill Estate, Stourhead Western Estate and Melbury Estate.

Prof. Hanns Höfle holds an MSc and a PhD in Forestry from the University of Freiburg, and a PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and the University of Göttingen. In addition to his distinguished academic career he has considerable practical experience which includes managing the central machine shop of the State Forest Service of Lower Saxony and serving as a Forest District Officer. He acted as chairman of the Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training from 1998 to 2004.

Sadly, Professor Hanns Höfle died in June 2014 whilst trekking in the mountains of Georgia. He was an internationally respected forester and will be greatly missed.

Copies of the Prof. Hanns Höfle’s presentations at the workshop can be viewed or downloaded as PDF files below.


Thanks:

We would like to thank Canopy Land Use and Selectfor for arranging this seminar. Our thanks also to Sir John Elliot Gardiner and Nicholas and Henry Hoare for allowing us to use their woodlands for the practical work, and to P.J. Cleary (buyers of Hurley Ash) for their generous support.


Downloads:

File:
Size:
Link:
1. Extraction Racks    
 

Download/view whole file:

     or

Download/view in sections by clicking the links below:

7.46 MB
  • The situation in Germany (pp.2-6)

590 KB
  • The role of silvicultural concepts (pp.8-14)
2.83 MB
  • Reasons for extraction racks: objectives, effect on soils, effect on growth and yield, negative effects (pp.15-37)
1.57 MB
  • Planning, marking and documentation of extraction racks: stand stability, dimension and alignment of ER, what to do with old ones, planning and marking, documentation (pp.38-62)
1.41 MB
  • Use at time of harvesting (pp.63-69)
145 KB
  • Contracts between forest enterprise and contractors (p.70)
36 KB
  • Maintenance and rehabilitation (pp.71-74)
1.08 MB
  • Reducing soil damage during harvesting (pp.75-76)
41 KB
  • Summary (pp.77-79)
49 KB
2. Harvesting Systems
  • Objectives and choice of harvesting systems (pp.2-8)
  • Target diameter harvesting (pp.9-11)
  • Thinning (pp.12-13)
  • Potential harvesting systems: overview (p14)
  • Motor-manual systems, flat terrain & steep terrain (pp.15-44)
  • Contracts between forest enterprise and contractors (p70)
  • Motor-manual systems, flat terrain & steep terrain (pp.15-44)
  • Fully mechanized systems (pp.45-65)
  • What to do with underplanting or advance planting (p.66)
  • Directional felling (pp.68-70)
  • Marking trees (pp.71-74)

 

3.43 MB

 

link

3. Costs
  • General remarks (pp.2-6)
  • Fully mechanized harvesting systems (pp.7-11)
  • Motor-manual harvesting systems (pp.12-14)
  • Skidding (pp.15-18)
  • Other costs (pp.19-21)

 

1.42 MB

 

link


*To download the files, right-click on the above links and choose “Save As” to download.



        


CCFG Cymru held a very successful field meeting at Coed Bryn Arau Duon in Wales attended by over 20 people from all over Britain. Phil Morgan and Huw Denman have managed the forest for 10 years and have gradually changed the even-aged plantation into a stable forest with developing irregular stands. By concentrating their efforts on continuous quality improvement to the infrastructure and to the growing stock they have shown that transformation is an economically viable option which will lead to increasing benefits as the forest matures. Very useful and constructive discussion took place; some devil’s advocates provided a contrast between toilet-paper plantations, to satisfy large scale markets, and quality woodlands managed for integrated multiple benefits. The rationale for cost effective support for transformation from public funds was demonstrated through the work to the forest during the course of the visit. The meeting was attended by woodland owners, managers, timber buyers, students, The Woodland Trust, The Forestry Commission in Wales and Forest Research.

  
Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire
29 September 2009

Understanding Daylight in the Context of Continuous Cover Forestry

Overview:

Understanding daylight and the manner in which it affects the growth of trees is not a simple matter. The way in which people perceive the subject is often somewhat vague, and knowledge of the basics can be rather patchy. A better understanding of daylight should put us in a better position to understand what is happening in the forest and how our actions might affect this, particularly when aiming for a low impact, CCF regime. Light is one of the basic tools in the manager’s portfolio, and it is perhaps comforting to know that there will always be a need for experienced practitioners, who can interpret what they see on the ground.

This one day seminar was designed to give practitioners a better understanding of daylight and its role in regeneration and the growth of healthy forests, and included an exploration of technologies which are used to measure daylight

In the morning there was a plenary session and in the afternoon there were field demonstrations using equipment provided by Skye Instruments and Delta-T Services.


Transcripts:

File: File Type: Size: Link:
Daylight Conference Programme PDF [93 KB] link
Chairman’s Welcome
PDF
[74 KB] link
Review of the Seminar PDF [365 KB] link

What are the main factors in determining the effectiveness of daylight in woodlands?
Rodney Helliwell (Consultant)

PDF [288 KB] link

Variation in light intensity at different latitudes and seasons, effects of cloud cover, and the amounts of direct and diffuse light
Paul Burgess (Cranfield University)

PDF [901 KB] link

Amounts of light required for photosynthesis, and interaction with other abiotic and biotic factors
Maurizio Mencuccini (Edinburgh University)

PDF [2.5 MB] link

Field assessment and estimation of light under various canopy conditions and in gaps
Mathias Disney (University College, London)

PDF [2.3 MB] link

Results of Field Demonstrations

PDF [68 KB] link

Open Discussion
Chaired by Andy Poore (Consultant)

PDF [146 KB] link

Summing up: review of need for further studies, publications and training
Graham Gill (Forest Enterprise, Kielder)

PDF [97 KB] link

*To download the files, right-click on the above links and choose “Save As” to download.


Sponsors:

We are grateful for the generous support of:



White Fir, Sierra Nevada. Figure from Jupp et al. (2009) Estimating forest LAI profiles and structural parameters using a ground-based laser called Echidna, Tree Physiology 29(2) 171-181 (as shown in Mathias Disney’s talk)
CCFG Conference   
Llanidloes, Wales
Wednesday, 1 October 2008

Silvicultural Systems for Tomorrow!

 

Overview:

This study day focused on silvicultural systems that have application in Wales, and more generally in woodlands of the UK. Policy and social dimensions of new technical developments in silviculture were also highlighted.

 

Background:

  • The Wales Woodland Strategy Review, taking place in 2008, will raise opportunities to further progress the principles of multi-functional and ‘close to nature’ forests.
  • The emphasis for forestry in Wales is to provide woodlands that sustain economic, environmental and social values for current and future generations.
  • New forestry practices must be developed and tested to create a strong, self-sustaining natural resources sector in Wales.
  • The general public in Wales need to be assured that their forests can fulfil their stated wishes and are “fit for purpose”.
  • Technical and scientific information needs to be highlighted to aid practitioners.

 

Objectives of The Workshop:

  1. To review the major silvicultural systems that have potential application in Wales, and those likely to meet the requirements of the Wales Woodland Strategy.
  2. To highlight operational best practice for taking forward alternative silvicultural systems to clear-felling and systems that transform forest stands from an even-aged to irregular structure.
  3. To review policy and social dimensions that influence silvicultural practice and the choice of silvicultural systems.
  4. To discuss opportunities and constraints for wider adoption of CCF silvicultural systems, with an emphasis on conditions in Wales.

The programme included presentations by leading experts in silviculture, forest policy and social science.

 

Downloads:

File:

File Type:

Size:

Link:

Workshop Flyer

PDF

269 KB

link

Workshop Programme

PDF

56 KB

link

Gary Kerr (Forest Research)
Silvicultural Systems

MS PowerPoint

3.7 MB

link

Arne Pommerening (Bangor University)
Best Practice

PDF

5 MB

link

Anna Lawrence (Forest Research)
Social Dimensions

 

 

 

Please note that these downloads are provided for CCFG members. This material is not to be distributed without permission of the authors/contributors. Please seek advice if you are uncertain about appropriate usage.

CCFG would like to acknowledge Jim Ralph for organising this event. Thanks, Jim!

If you would like any further information, please contact the CCFG Administrator: administrator@ccfg.org.uk