Sustainable forestry strong in England
According to records, just 0.4 per cent of trees felled in England were done illegally without a felling licence. Conservation habitats, such as heathland, have been restored from commercial plantations whilst keeping a slowly expanding wooded area overall. A thriving timber industry has increased domestic supply as imports have fallen. Simon Hodgson, Forestry Commission England […]
Leading global forest research center taps FAO expert as new Director General
As forest conservation and sustainable development take centre stage in the lead up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (known as Rio+20), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) announced today the appointment of leading forestry, climate change and food security expert Peter Holmgren as its new director general. The CIFOR board announced […]
Freeing forestry and land agents from gangmaster red tape will boost rural economy, says CLA
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced that the GLA is to focus on protecting the most vulnerable temporary workers from exploitation while freeing those in low-risk sectors such as forestry and land agency from gangmaster regulation. CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “We have lobbied on this issue and today’s announcement is a victory for forestry and […]
Bioplastics offer more sustainable solution for tree planting
It is widely recognised that reforestation is a crucial aspect of tackling climate change and addressing CO2 balance, but less is understood about the hidden carbon footprint and environmental impact of planting new trees. Tree planting conventionally requires the use of a wooden stake as a growth support. Not only are mature trees felled to […]
Report reveals how much timber there is in Britain’s forests
Coniferous timber is timber produced by conifer trees such as pine, spruce, larch and fir species, and is also known as ‘softwood’. The ‘Great Britain 2011 Standing Coniferous Timber Volume’ report, which contains important information for planning a range of forest-related developments, reveals that: publicly owned forests managed by the Forestry Commission contain just more […]
Making REDD+ work
The international community needs to help developing countries increase their ability to measure and monitor the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that they save by safeguarding their forests if a UN-backed climate change mechanism known as REDD+ is to attain its objective of cutting emissions, according to a new study that reveals major capacity gaps […]
Between 20% and 50% of the worlds timber is felled illegally
Between 20% and 50% of all timber sold worldwide has been illegally sourced according to Projects Abroad the world’s largest volunteering organisation. “For many years the volume of timber taken from rainforests by far out-strips the rate of planting,” said Dr Peter Slowe – managing director of the UK-based Projects Abroad and a former economic […]
People, nature and business look set to benefit from report to Government
The Independent Panel on Forestry, set-up to advise the Government on the future of England’s forests and woods, has today (8 December) published its progress report. The Panel says it is working towards recommendations that will increase the benefits generated from all forests in England, including to the people that enjoy them, to nature […]
Urban tree disease found in England
A deadly plant disease previously unknown in England has been found in Devon killing Lawson Cypress trees that are commonly found in parks and gardens. Forestry Commission scientists have confirmed that Phytophthora lateralis, a fungus-like pathogen that kills trees’ roots, has infected several trees in a shelter hedge on an industrial estate. The disease is […]
