Forestry & British Timber articles from June 2002

Forestry & British Timber archives from June 2002

Certification - the customer is king.(demand for products from sustainable sources increases)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Sustainable forest management, certification, chain-of-custody (CoC) and product labelling of both sawn-wood and wood-based sheet materials - particleboard, MDF and OSB - remain highly topical subjects in the industry, writes Hamish Macleod,...

`Work as partners to beat prejudice'.(Forestry and Timber Association meeting)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `This is the start of a whole new approach to forestry industry representation - an historic landmark. I wish the Forestry and Timber Association (FTA) every success'. Roger Venables was speaking at its inaugural agm in his role as interim...

Forestry out of the shadows at Royal.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Forestry has, at last, emerged from its traditional backwater location at the Royal Show and will be in a more prominent position at Stoneleigh this year (July 1-4). An expanded forestry and woodland management area is promised with the...

Julie's top role.(Julie Collins, Forestry Commission in England)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `I plan to show our partners in government - and its rural agencies - how forestry, as the second most important rural land-use after agriculture, can help to deliver their programmes and agendas'. This was Julie Collins' promise on her...

Sunart - the people speak.(Sunart oakwood project, forest restoration)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... More Scottish forests and woodlands are directly benefiting local communities, says a joint report by SNH, the FC, the SE and Highlands and Island Enterprise. This is due, it says, to the `Rural development forestry' concept with people seen to...

Woodfest Wales.
June 6, 2002... Exhibitors singing the praises of all things wood while demonstrating traditional crafts and woodland activities which add value to the local resource are expected to attract over 10000 visitors to a `Festival of Wood' in the beautiful Vale of...

DipArbing in Devon.(Bicton College arboriculture course)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Backing its seven BTEC core units, the new two-year arboriculture course which starts in September at Bicton College* will offer students the choice of 11 specialist units from 21 subject headings. The college, says Geoff Jones, team leader of...

Brushing up on coppice cutting.(free training offered)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... A scheme aimed at those who have a history of active working in the coppice industry, but are at present without a current NPTC certificate of competence in chainsaw use, is offering free training and a training allowance to coppice cutters in...

Where man paints the scenery.(National Urban Forestry Unit studies tree cover-land value relationship)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... The value of trees in our towns and cities could soon be more than just the feeling we get when we go house-hunting in a leafy neighbourhood. In a bid to prove this, the National Urban Forestry Unit (NUFU), reports Don McNicoll, is aiding a...

FSC offers multi-site CoC.(Forest Stewardship Council, Chain of Custody)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)* has announced new guidelines which will help single companies working across multiple sites to gain Chain of Custody (CoC) certification for handling FSC certified timber and timber products. The policy...

FCA: a difficult but successful year.(Forestry Contracting Association)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 6, 2002... `Despite difficult industry trading conditions, exacerbated by the foot and mouth outbreak, the Forestry Contracting Association has achieved or exceeded all of its agreed targets of projects completed, training courses delivered and capital...

Irish mills target UK.(Enterprise Ireland, Irish Timber Council back softwood marketing)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Ireland's leading softwood mills are targeting the UK market with a #50000 promotional campaign. The initiative is backed by Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Timber Council and centres on the country's nine top exporting mills. The aim is...

Yew'd be amazed!(Conservation Foundation creating inventory of Yew trees in Scotland)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Following its `Yews for the millennium' promotion in England and Wales, the Conservation Foundation* (CF) is creating an inventory of Scotland's ancient yews with minimum 3m girth, reports Don Kennedy. From wild highland hillside to urban park,...

Time for a change?(England's forestry programs)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Many things have happened on the political front since the government last looked at forestry grant incentives. Now, post-devolution, the Forestry Commission and the `new' agriculture department DEFRA have jointly decided that the time is ripe...

Wee green plant book.(`Briophytes of native woods' guide* by Carol Crawford)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Mosses and liverworts are the diminutive subjects of the colourful 40pp `Briophytes of native woods' guide* by Carol Crawford, principal of the Ayr-based Natural Resource Consultancy. It was jointly sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)...

FCA opens Welsh office.(Forestry Contracting Association)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... The Forestry Contracting Association, with considerable support from the Forestry Commission, Welsh Development Agency and Welsh European Funding Office, is implementing a major project of training and business development in Wales. This...

Innovate or die!(timber industry must improve its understanding of clients' needs )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `A concerted effort is still required to reverse the mindset away from timber'. This was the call made by Scottish Forest Industries Cluster's* (SFIC) leadership group chairman Stefan Kay at an `Innovation in wood products and processes...

The CC option.(Continuous cover )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Since the formation of the `Continuous cover forestry group', (CCFG) in 1991 over 400 people in forestry and associated professions have attended the two-and-a-half-day training workshops run on its behalf by Mark Yorke*. These include indoor...

Arson at Bedgebury.(Bedgebury Pinetum)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Reports suggesting that fire had destroyed 12 hectares of Kent's Bedgebury Pinetum, site of the world's finest conifer collection, on the night of April 23, fortunately proved to be incorrect. Eight small fires were, however, tackled by firemen...

Wetland idylls.(Midlands National Forest receives Environment Agency grant)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... England's National Forest (NF) in the Midlands is a never-ending source of positive news. Latest involves the creation of two wetland wildlife havens backed by a #55000 Environment Agency grant. The cash will head towards two NF...

Lanyard alert.(importance of inspecting fall-arrest equipment)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Pre-use checks and regular inspections of fall-arrest equipment are vital, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It has just carried out research on lanyard degradation follow two fatalities in recent years - in Ireland and Manchester -...

Rural life brought to book.(Farming Books and Videos)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Offering `the widest possible range of publications aimed at the farmer and country dweller', is the boast of a new mail order firm - Farming Books and Videos. The full range of titles including workshop repair manuals can be viewed on its...

England on top down under.
June 6, 2002... English poleclimbers returned home in ebullient mood after having `dealt a crushing defeat' to the best New Zealand and other competing nations could offer in the world team championship at the Royal Auckland Show. Jeremy Barrell (captain),...

Head men.(Jas P. Wilson will distribute Keto harvesting heads)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Jas P Wilson* has taken over as sole distributors of the Keto range of harvesting heads. The company, which previously shared the dealership, has been supplying new Keto heads for the last 18 months along with its comprehensive range of...

Life-long commitment.(funeral industry's use of timber)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 6, 2002... According to a leading independent UK coffin maker, `people are increasingly aware of the materials used in the funeral process and... consider the environment when arranging it'. Julian Atkinson (of J.C. Atkinson, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and...

Bell Ingram assist in certification.(Bell Ingram Rural seeks Soil Association certification as resource managers)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 6, 2002... Whilst no premium for certified timber is currently evident, there are strong indications to suggest that non-certified timber is losing market-access, is slower to be uplifted from site, and that costs are rising as this timber is moved...

St Gwynno to lead way.(South Wales woodland education and visitor center to upgrade facilities)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... A forest activity centre in the South Wales valley is set to become one of the UK's leading woodland education, training and visitor facilities, thanks to a #200 000 grant from Cydcoed - Woods for All*. Cwm Clydach outdoor activity centre...

Plant for planting.(A-Plant receives Landscape Group Ltd. contract)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... To help it complete its many UK-wide projects - including a #1.5m contract to restore 21-hectare Victorian-era Lister Park in Bradford - the Landscape Group Ltd (LG) is hiring a wide range of groundcare and forestry equipment from Newton Le...

Good hunting!(Forestry Commission iniative, TreeFest)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Is it very old?... is it rare?... is it a giant? But, vitally, is it in Scotland? If the tree fulfils any of the former three virtues, it could be identified as one of the country's 100 great heritage trees in a Forestry Commission initiative...

Howie board appointments.(Howie Forest Products Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Following the financial restructure of Robert Howie and Sons, its timber division, which traded as Howie Forest Products, has become a limited company. Appointed to the board of the new company, Howie Forest Products Ltd, are Robin Howie as...

Scots woods under scrutiny.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Assessing forests and woods for Scotland's `Finest Woodlands Awards' has taken the judging panel all over the country from Ross-shire to Castle Douglas casting their professional eye over the 2002 entries. A short-list of 15, in three...

WOODWISE: The view from the sharp end.(lumber workers' personal narrative)
June 6, 2002... In which our monthly contracting contributor Nick Hilton of Woodwise Forestry* finds a little learning at last for his apprentice, shoes everything in sight and sees water, water everywhere but not the kitchen sink! You may remember back...

Down by the riverside.(construction of new watermill in Oxfordshire, England)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... It took a team of specialists less than a week to set in place the skeleton of an oak-framed watermill constructed on a tributary of the River Thames in Oxfordshire. All based in the Bristol and Bath area, the group members operate either...

`Page one of the history of England'.(construction of Sutton Hoo exhibition complex)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... The net was cast wide to harvest the timber - way beyond its final East Anglian resting place - to create the new shrine marking the arrival of Anglo-Saxon civilisation onto Britain's shores. Erected near the site of a seventh-century ship...

Virtually Vertical.(harvesting steep sites)
June 6, 2002... Utilisation of a skyline and road-side processor are the normal approach to harvesting a steep site. However, a combination of low financial returns and laborious manual work involved has meant stretching the capabilities of Irish harvesters...

McKenzie's make it a trio.(advertisement)
June 6, 2002... Scotland's first Liebherr* L524Z wheeled loading shovel now works for the family-owned waste recycling and sawmilling business of M. McKenzie of Old Pentland, Loanhead, Midlothian. It features several specialist optional extras and a Z-bar...

Good vibes.(Farm and Garden Machinery Ltd. introduces brushcutter)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... With tackling rougher areas in mind, Farm & Garden Machinery Ltd* introduces its latest Tanaka brushcutter for local authorities and professionals - the TBC 4200LV which features a `special low-vib' handle system. `A significant reduction'...

APF 2002 Diary.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Under four months away and only one site meeting to go... the UK's greatest ever forestry event draws ever closer. Exhibition secretary Ian Millward* continues his countdown to this show of shows. My office, as I write this at the beginning...

Premier crew.(Landmark Tree Surgery's tree service work, equipment)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `The harder the job to do, the better. We like to test ourselves. Everyone is just as capable as the other, we work as a real team.': Mark Knight, Landmark Tree Surgery.* Having worked for years as a groundsman and done his share of arb...

Better chipping on NHS.(Neils Husted and Sons offers rear feed chipper)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Neils Husted and Sons, the chipper manufacturer from Silkeborg, Denmark - better known as NHS - have now produced a rear feed chipper with a 175mm capacity and a 55ph diesel engine which takes up less space and `can make fast meal of a total...

Junior triplets.(Calderdale MBC purchases SCH Waste Whacker Junior shredders)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Calderdale MBC in Halifax will be reducing its green waste problems this year having taken delivery of three SCH* `Waste Whacker Junior' shredders pictured here with members of the local leisure department. The council was looking for a small,...

`A woodchipper is for life'.(Kendall Machinery UK Ltd. offers diesel woodchippers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `There is more to buying a woodchipper than filling out an order form and signing the cheque or finance document. Yes these are part of it, but before you sign that order form think - a woodchipper like a puppy needs care and attention such as...

From on-site to depot.(Eurogreen offers professional shredders and woodchippers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... From its 4000 compact, low-noise range for on-site work to the larger 7000 machines for multi-depot use, Eurogreen* offers a wide line-up of professional shredders - complementing its woodchippers. The former `take all types of green waste from...

Double-time shredding.(Doppstadt UK Ltd. introduces DZ 750 Kombi two-in-one shredder)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Having proved its popularity on mainland Europe, especially in Scandinavia, the DZ 750 Kombi two-in-one shredder makes its debut in this country via Doppstadt (UK) Ltd*. Capable of handling a wide range of wood wastes and residues, the 610hp...

Rugged reliability and innovative features.(advertisement)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Latest addition to the Vermeer Equipment brush chipper range is the totally redesigned BC150 machine which replaces the BC625. Features include a larger (150mm) feed opening, streamlined canopy and a more powerful engine. The BC150 and the...

On the right track.(A528 tracked 6in-capacity machine from Wessex Machinery Sales Co.)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `Over 100 years' experience in woodchipper design and construction' have gone into the design of the new German-built Jensen range from Wessex Machinery Sales Co*. Latest development is the launch of the A528 tracked 6in-capacity machine onto...

Keep it under 750kg!(KwikChip woodchipper model 160M)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `Today's transport laws are so stringent that you simply must have one model weighing in under the magical 750kg weight limit'. With these words, Tom Nixon of Fletcher Stewart (Stockport) Ltd* unveils the company's latest - KwikChip woodchipper...

Check your blades!(Jim Wilkie describes importance of sharp woodchipper blades)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... `Would anyone use a chainsaw with a blunt chain or one sharpened to the wrong angle? Very unlikely', says Jim Wilkie of Wilkie Recycling*, answering his own question. `It won't cut very well and will vibrate badly making it difficult and unsafe...

Making tracks for efficiency.(GreenMech Ltd. woodchipper features track-extension system)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... In 1999, at the request of several customers, GreenMech Ltd* produced the `UK's first tracked woodchipper.' At the time, said the company's Hazel Honeybourne, `we thought that the market would be small but we were wrong with significant UK and...

Two years' R&D.(Landforce offers shredding machine and stand-alone chippers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Complementing its three `Duo' two-man-feed combined chipping and shredding machines, Landforce* also manufactures two stand-alone chippers and a single-purpose shredding machine at its Grantham, Lincs factory. Here, on a 65-acre site -...

Tracking the right machine.(Danish range of TP woodchippers )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... A.T. Osborne* have been offering the Danish range of TP woodchippers for over 12 years. Model numbers have changed over the past year and new machines are now available. Capacities range from the 4in 100 model for the domestic or smaller...

Chips, Austrian-style.(Jas P. Wilson)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Woodchippers - along with log-splitters, post peeler pointers and firewood processors - figure among the successful initial product sales recorded for Posch equipment notched up by Jas P. Wilson* after it became sole UK suppliers for the...

Bearcat invasion.(Saxon Industries introduces more of the new two-model American-made Bearcat 5in chipper/shredder/blowers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Prompted by a `surge of interest last year', Saxon Industries* is shipping into the UK more of the new two-model American-made Bearcat 5in chipper/shredder/blowers. The company's Richard Horn reported `a 100% sales success in over 40...

Exceeding all expectations.(Timberwolf)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Timberwolf* used the Fourth Arborist Trade Fair this month to launch its latest woodchipper - a 9in model designated the TW 75/230. `This totally new machine has been designed from the wheels up and had to fulfil some exacting criteria', MD...

Into the Attack.(Arbor Eater Brushwood Chippers Ltd)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... Two latest additions to the Arbor Eater Brushwood Chippers Ltd* range are the `Attack 5' 110mm-capacity and `Attack `6' 150mm machines. The former, the smallest in the line-up, features twin hydraulic rollers, 13hp Honda petrol engine and...

A true six-incher.(DANequip)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2002... The Blue Chip Chippa from DANequip* has been in production for almost three years, and is `proving to be a very robust machine withstanding most of the abuse the operators throw at it', according to Kim Dan. The chipper is powered by a...