UK Forestry in serious trouble?

[Timber Man]

This is both sides of the water. Was talking to a contractor that said his kit was paid for but sitting in his yard, no work for crews. 1st time in 30 years and he feels the machines will be parked for half a yr minimum now.

 

All it will take is a pest to come in from abroad on a log; and that might curb imports.

 

I had a stand being thinned a few weeks back, and seeing lovely straight small diameter stakewood going for pulp as there is no stake market is depressing.

 

I remember in 1996 before I went to Newton rigg; working in forests and for a timber mill; and everyone in forestry was making money.

 

Looking at our own 70 acres, all I can do is use as much of our own timber to reduce buying in; and sell adding value to it. Presently thats firewood!

 

It will level itself out, it always does. Sawmills and landowners have done very well over the past 6 or 7 years.

[County 764]

It will level itself out, it always does. Sawmills and landowners have done very well over the past 6 or 7 years.

 

So how much is the landowner making on a percentage bases on a tonne the delivered in?

 

Giving the cost of establishing woodland and the time involved its a rubbish investment. The increasing value of woodland has resulted in very good returns not timber

Edited April 22, 2016 by County 764

[Mark Bolam]

It will level itself out, it always does. Sawmills and landowners have done very well over the past 6 or 7 years.

 

 

Dairy farmers said the same thing mate.

If more money doesn't start coming up the chain the job's knackered.

The money can only filter down from the end user, and everyone wants everything cheap.

[justin cider]

The landowners, machine drivers, hauliers and forest workers get very little in the scheme of things. Forest management however have a finger in everyones pie.

[Timber Man]

So how much is the landowner making on a percentage bases on a tonne the delivered in?

 

Giving the cost of establishing woodland and the time involved its a rubbish investment. The increasing value of woodland has resulted in very good returns not timber

 

At todays costs maybe, but a lot of the timber that has come to market recently would be planted under different grant schemes than are currently available. A lot of it was planted on ground from which there would have been no other return.

Timber growing has never been a get rich quick scheme by its very nature.

[Timber Man]

When currency levels are in favour of homegrown demand standing prices increase, the export market is also favourable for chip exports , it brings a lot of timber to market, you can only sell it once.

Its the marketing companies that are causing the problems with harvesting prices , along with there being too many harvesting contractors.

[Timber Man]

The landowners, machine drivers, hauliers and forest workers get very little in the scheme of things. Forest management however have a finger in everyones pie.

 

Who do you mean by forest management?

[matelot]

Forestry has always seemed cyclical though.

 

I remember about 20 years ago my dad selling standing timber (chip) for 10 pence a tonne...

 

Let's pray for favourable currency movements and some bitterly cold winters.

[carpenter1]

Importing kiln dried firewood must be having a impact too

 

What are road side price at the moment?

[Coolcutter]

Big forestry companies rather see the timber stand whilst the markets flat. British timber is dependant on the global price. And it's dirt cheap. The problem for the harvester lads and lasses is the finance monthly fee and keeping the machine new enough to be cost effective. No good when the big mills have the handbrake on. I suspect the biomass market has put a bottom in the price for chip, but the lack of gov subsidy has slowed the market