Pine Marten

Hi Darren, that's an excellent site - thanks very much regards PM

After years of growing them and selling them to crying townies I have to admit I've gone ARTIFICIAL!

James - appreciate it. Probably won't be in the Yorkshire area but appreciate the thought. I'll PM to discuss all the same. Logbaron - I've just got in touch with the local NFU and have been talking to some of the bigger forestry companies who want the work potentially generated by Better Woodlands for Wales plans but not the hassle of the planning itself if that makes sense. FC have me on the approved contractors list but won't show 'favouritism' which is fair enough. CLA? Is that the Countryside land and Business Association? (Did a quick Google!) If it is it certainly looks worth giving a go - thanks for the heads up! Cheers lads - keep 'em coming:biggrin:

Hi all, (Great forum BTW) After being absent from the forest management scene for a couple of years I have recently qualified as a Forestry Commission Better Woodlands for Wales Management Planner as a way to get back into things. I'm currently talking to a number of landowners and farmers to try and get them interested in managing their woods and assisting with the grants process with a view to providing the full range of woodland management services in the future. Just looking for some advice at the moment about how to go about things Does anyone know of anyone who currently needs Management Planning advice or needs a forester to assist with felling licences, landscape issues, replanting etc etc? My main background is in managing large state forests so I feel as if I'm groping around in the dark a bit at present. Been doing quite a bit of cold calling but the question is, is there a better way to approach landowners than simply rucking up at usually the most inapropriate time possible? (I know! I know! Some wag will say, 'go at a more appropriate time' but I think you get the idea!) If anyone lives/works in the Mid/North Wales area / Welsh Marches has any ideas I'm all ears. cheers PM

As an Irishman can I donate Wales! Donation made - great cause!

All good answers, certainly would recommend Oliver Rackham's books - really sets the scene of woodlands of Britain Rackham, Oliver (2001). Trees and woodland in the British landscape : the complete history of Britain's trees, woods & hedgerows. London: Phoenix Press. ISBN 1-84212-469-2. FC Publications are also very good too. Things like 'Restoration of native woodland on ancient woodland sites' are available on the FC website as .pdf downloads. FC Practice Guides are also very useful The Small Woods Assc is also very good SmallWoods.org.uk - Home The main thing I tell any woodland owner is to be very clear of what your management objectives are from the start. Conservation, wood/wood fuel production, sporting etc. or a mixture. I suppose modern management speak would say have a 'mission' statement, but all in all its not a bad idea. From that start point you can then develop a plan for short to medium term management goals (5 years) and a more aspirational plan, medium to long term (up to ten years). Get an outside professional to look at the woodland - you've already spotted that one - he/she will be able to assist with woodland management and spot possible problems and issues you may not have thought about, crop structure, composition, invasive species etc. Good luck - its a brilliant asset you have! PM

All work should be pre-agreed between the owner and the Management Planner. Using the WIG calculator the Planner should be able to give the owner an accurate indication of what he may / may not be entitled to and cost accordingly. Because the WIG calculator is based on average costs per operation (unit costs etc) there may, in some circumstances, be the ability to meet the costs of the operation via the grant. Careful planning of real costs married with what the owner is likely to receive from the scheme is essential. Although its a good point you raised about not having one work operation messing up BWW or vice versa!! PM

Hi sawmonkey Better Woodlands for Wales (BWW) has a suite of grants available to promote forestry. This includes, but is not limited to, fencing, roads, planting, subsidised felling, Rhody clearance etc. Depending on the type of forest and what the owners objectives are grant aid is available at 25%, 50% or 75%. Funding is paid in line with the WIG (Woodland Improvement Grant) calculator which gives an average cost for specific operation - not on receipted actuals. To enter the BWW Scheme you need to engage the services of an FC approved Management Planner (such as myself!)- this cost is covered by the scheme. If you need further information on the scheme or want to have an informal chat about what the scheme can do for you/your client then please do not hesitate to contact me. I cover all of Wales and am available to give forestry management advice on a wide range of aspects throughout the country - and the Welsh/English borders Hope this helps Cheers PM