British Softwood Market; seems wierd...

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Been walking in Soussons Wood on the moor this afternoon; some time since I cut in there but thinning / felling goes on.

 

My wondering is this; I know the UK softwood market is crap atm but in this and other woods s/logs, bars and rails have been stacked up for 3 years now; being sitka it's going manky. Now there's a load of clearfell of bigger stuff going on, not a forwarder in sight (I'm sure there will be) and I'm assuming it's going to sit there like the rest of it.

 

Point is, I thought there was a national biomass shortage? If no-one wants this stuff for ag timber etc, is the biofuel market not interested?

 

Pardon the ignorance, just wondering about the two markets and where they're headed.

 

[Mr Ed]

stuff flies out the woods here. good markets for logs, bars, and fencing.

[jojam]

Things moving well up here too.Are you sure it wasn't a half load lying about that wasn't worth coming back for.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Yep; I noted the appearance of some of the logs back in 07 and they aint budged. I walk in there regularly. Fernworthy, next plantation along is better but there's no cutting work there this winter yet. Used to enjoy winter softwood felling / buttressing - covered a quieter Xmas season. Will take some photos on monday - I'm going up there to ask for work! Always worked in front of Harvester (Mid Cornwall Forestry) so don't know this gang but worth a try. Breaks my heart to see timber rotting... I mean what happens - FC pay for it anyway?

 

That said, I think westcountry Sitka is probably the poorest around - ultra fast growing - crap quality...

Edited November 21, 2009 by TimberCutterDartmoor

[skyhuck]

The guy who delivers my firewood out (by the arctic load) is flat out for one of the sawmills, he struggles to find a spare day to run out a couple of loads for me.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Things moving well up here too.Are you sure it wasn't a half load lying about that wasn't worth coming back for.

 

Half a load! How about 100 loads plus!

[porky]

Could it just be down to logistics. Fernworthy has no good road links. It all has to go through Chagford on small lorries. What with the cost of diesel etc it may be uneconomic to shift it to a suitable market?

Better going as firewood locally!

[Mr Ed]

That said, I think westcountry Sitka is probably the poorest around - ultra fast growing - crap quality...

 

Fast growing = Very long fibres = very good pulp. Finland buys a lot of our sitka pulp, as theirs is slow growing with short fibres. Great strength, but makes poor pulp.

[Johny Walker]

Fast growing = Very long fibres = very good pulp. Finland buys a lot of our sitka pulp, as theirs is slow growing with short fibres. Great strength, but makes poor pulp.

 

WHAT !!!!!! we actuly export somthing out of the uk ed your winding us up exports

[Highland Forestry]

If you've 100 loads sitting at roadside and they've been sitting there for three years then I would say the FC have made a big cock up somewhere allong the line...

If I were you, I would contact the fc and ask if you can buy it off them.... offer them a stupid price per ton to clear it, and punt it out as local firewood.