Forestry & British Timber articles from March 2003

Forestry & British Timber archives from March 2003

SINGLE DEADLINE - DOUBLE TROUBLE.(Forestry Commission's new applications deadline may drive some forestry advisors out of business)
March 5, 2003... `The decision to impose one deadline at the end of May for applications for new planting can be likened to our old friend the caveman who decided to replace the square wheels on his hand cart with triangular wheels so as "to reduce the number...

`Making Cumbria's woods work'.(Neville Elstone joins Cumbria Woodlands as rural development forester)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Newton Rigg graduate and former staff member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, Neville Elstone has joined Cumbria Woodlands (CW) as its rural development forester. His appointment is part of a #2m package by the Barrow-in-Furness-based,...

Ayrshire and Arran aim higher.(new Scottish Executive grants for woodland establishment)
March 5, 2003... Ayrshire landowners can benefit from new Scottish Executive grants of between #800 and #2000 a hectare - depending on planting type and site - for woodland establishment. Speaking at Kelburn Castle near Largs in late January, when he unveiled...

Woodmark staff boost.(Soil Association hires Richard Johnstone and Tobin Gordon)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... To help meet the growing worldwide demand for FSC certification, the Bristol-based Soil Association has recruited Richard Johnstone and Tobin Gordon as new members of its Woodmark team. Last year, it doubled activity on this front with...

Woods win west #200m pa.(new report outlines value of Southwest England's timber industry)
March 5, 2003... `This is a major step towards recognising the economic benefits the woodland and forestry sector can bring to the region'. Sir Henry Studholme, a board member of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWERDA) was welcoming its...

Boston preserves the environment.(Boston, UK firm Calders and Grandidge wins ISO 14001 accreditation)
March 5, 2003... `The achievement of this award will allow us to develop our resource conservation programmes... and will also lead to new product development especially in the areas of timber preservation'. Mark Bartholomew, environmental manager for Boston,...

Accolade for Haldane.(recognized by UK government as "leader in business improvement")(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Architectural joinery manufacturer Haldane has been given a special mention under the government's Construction Best Practice Programme. The company, which has supplied many prestigious locations with handrailing and specialist beading and...

Putting a label on `recycled'.(United Kingdom decides what qualifies as 'recycled' lumber)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... What is the exact definition of recycled or reclaimed timber? This is a question currently exercising the minds of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Early in the New Year it announced that it was involved in work to draft standards to...

G-day is June 16.(day when grants for forest preservation may be submitted in Scotland)
March 5, 2003... June 16 is a crucial date in the lead-up to the new `Scottish forestry grants scheme' (SFGS): it is when the Forestry Commission `opens shop' for applications to the new Scottish Executive-backed incentive to help with the costs of...

New heart for Nant y Pandy.(Welsh woodlands preservation project)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... `New wood for old' is the motto for the Welsh Cydcoed - Woodlands for Old project for one of Anglesey's most deprived towns. In January, the first phase of a #140 000 scheme at The Dingle - Nant y Pandy - Llangefni - was officially opened by...

Tilhill team leader.(David Edwards named district manager)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Llandovery, Carmarthenshire will be David Edwards' base in his new role as South Wales district manager for forest planting, management and landscaping company Tilhill. David, 43, who has just joined the 50-year- old company, is a Fellow of the...

More stolen gear.(Holly Tree Surgeons Ltd. reports saw theft)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... It would seem that the light-of-finger have struck again, this time in East Grinstead. Holly Tree Surgeons Ltd report a number of saws stolen from locked premises in Charlwoods Road, East Grinstead on Friday/Saturday 10-11 January. Models...

Boost for timber in building.(Napier University establishes Centre for Timber Engineering)
March 5, 2003... The only establishment in Britain offering academic courses specifically aimed at training undergraduate engineers in the uses of wood in the design of buildings and structures was opened mid-January by Scottish minister for enterprise,...

On the road with TRADA online.(new Web site links technical information with suppliers' directory)
March 5, 2003... `The most comprehensive reference source of practical and technical information about timber and wood products available worldwide'. That is TRADA's claim for its new online knowledge resource: www.asktrada.co.uk to be promoted at UK-wide...

APF 2004 at Ragley Hall.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... `In response to demand from both exhibitors and visitors we have chosen a Midlands' location for next year's event'. APF exhibition secretary Ian Millward explains their choice of Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire as venue for APF 2004. ...

Netting the smaller fry.(Forestry Commission seeks increase in UKWAS certification of smaller woodland owners)
March 5, 2003... `UKWAS certification has been widely embraced by the owners of large woodlands but we would like to see greater uptake by those with smaller woods in England'. Forestry Commission chairman Lord Clark of Windermere was launching a pilot project...

Cheviot's `ultimate barrier'.(company to launch new protection against weevils for pine trees)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Harry Frew at Cheviot Trees has written to us to point out a case of mistaken identity in February's `Weevil and squirrel control' feature on p30. Stoppers and Snap guards are marketed by Cheviot and not Alba Trees. `However', writes...

Recycling wrapped up.(Waste and Resources Action Programme unveils online map for UK wood recycling industry)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... To `act as a matchmaker between the sector's various players', WRAP* unveils its web-based map for the UK's rapidly growing wood-recycling industry. A `vital new resource', it pinpoints the location of collection, processing and recycling...

Silverman branches out.(S. Silverman and Son opens branch in Coventry)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Wood sheet materials specialist S. Silverman and Son has continued its expansion programme with the addition of a branch in Coventry to its network. The new yard includes 23000ft2 of warehousing and cost the company #500 000 to set up. ...

To certify or not?(Forestry Commission workshops in March 2003)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Updates on woodland certification in England for owners and managers are on offer at four free* Forestry Commission workshops this month: Nottingham (March 11); Scotch Corner (12th); London (25th); and Bristol (26th). Aim is to offer...

New hope for new recruits.(special grants offered for new foresters)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Twenty new industry entrants will be eligible to receive #5645 grants each during 2003-4 under the Forestry Contracting Association's (FCA) training aid project which it piloted last year. Part-funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)...

In the wake of Black Duncan.(forestry management in Scotland)
March 5, 2003... Until May last year, a stand of 75-year-old larch trees was growing on Drummond Hill, overlooking Kenmore and Loch Tay. It is the site of the earliest recorded forestry plantation in Scotland established in the early 1600s by the infamous laird...

Certifying recycled wood.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The Forest Stewardship Council is evaluating how its environmental certification system can be applied to the recycled wood market. The organisation is studying the sector to see if a `chain of custody' can be established which tracks...

Minister's pledge.(Environment minister Michael Meacher intends to plan advisory group for timber policy)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Environment minister Michael Meacher has pledged to look into setting up a new working group, including the Timber Trade Federation, to advise on government timber procurement policy. Mr Meacher made the promise at a meeting with the TTF...

Gee collapses.(Gee Joinery)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... One of the UK's longest established timber businesses Gee Joinery has ceased trading. The Smalley-based company, which had been trading since 1865, went into voluntary liquidation and laid off its 27 staff in January. Agents are now...

Vertex thrown #4m lifeline.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The Vertex chipboard business is re-emerging from administration after securing a #4m investment package. The Shildon-based company got into trouble late last year when plant refurbishment costs proved higher than anticipated. The factory had...

Timberframe ups market share.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... One in seven new build houses in the UK is now timber frame, according to the latest statistics from the UK Timber Frame Association. The UKTFA's new report says that timber frame's UK market share rose in 2001 to 14.1% compared with 12%...

Big call for Egger.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Panel products manufacturer Egger has supplied 470m2 of its heavy- weight HDX chipboard for the new T-Mobile phone test centre in Borehamwood. The 18000 38mm thick panels were used to create a ceiling above the high tech test area that was...

Revamped Garrards.(new owners change lumber company)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The revamped Huddersfield sawmill and timber merchant Garrards was unveiled by new owners James Chambers (Timber Merchants) at a special open weekend in February for customers and suppliers. Chambers has spent #250 000 on the Huddersfield...

Palatial contract.(Hall and Tawse supplies fittings for new development)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Aberdeen joinery specialist Hall & Tawse has supplied the majority of the timber fittings and fixtures for the Queen's Gallery development in Holyrood Palace. Among the items it produced for the project were cornices and skirting, oak...

Preservers group changes.(British Wood Preserving and Damp-Proofing Association sets up new divisions)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA) has set up new divisions to reflect the different business activities of its members. The organisation now includes a Property Care Association for companies involved in...

Decorative Panels' in second line.(sheet meterial processing company puts in second production line)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Sheet materials processor Decorative Panels has invested #250 000 on a second Hymmen lamination line at its Elland plant. The CTK1300 line can apply paper foil laminates to chipboard, MDF, HDF, hardboard and plywood. The company says...

NE merge.(North East Coast Timber Association may merge with other lumber industry trade associations)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The North East Cost Timber Trade Association is looking at the possibility of merging with neighbouring timber associations because of contraction in membership. At NECTTA's annual dinner, chairman Ian Robinson said the organisation now...

Approved decking.(Timber Decking association starts new training program)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The Timber Decking Association has announced the launch of an accredited training scheme for decking retailers. The organisation says the initiative is aimed at maintaining quality standards in the decking market. Copyright: CMP...

Importer moves.(MDM Timber moves to larger quarters)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... MDM Timber has relocated to bigger premises to cope with rising demand. The company has invested #360 000 in a 4200ft2 office premises in Basildon in order to manage growth in both its softwood and sheet materials import operations. MDM is...

I-joist sales up.(sales by Palgrave Brown)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Copyright: CMP Information Ltd. Engineered wood products group Palgrave Brown says that its sales of I- joists rose by #1m last year. The wood and sheet material products, which are competition for conventional solid timber joists and are...

Responsible trading.(lumber industry)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... A major study has been launched into how standards of `corporate responsibility' can be maintained and raised in the timber sector. The #118 000 initiative is backed by the Department for International Development and is a joint initiative...

WOODWISE: The view from the sharp end.(the possibilities of wood as a heating fuel)(Column)
March 5, 2003... In which our monthly contracting contributor Nick Hilton of Woodwise Forestry* discovers a revolutionary new sustainable source of fuel - wood! Yee haw! By heck lads and lasses I do believe we're on the verge of a major breakthrough. Yes,...

BC - where 63% is under trees.(British )
March 5, 2003... Predictably, forestry in British Columbia is a more important industry than in the UK as so much of the economy depends on it. In his second article (part one, `Go west, young man' Feb p18) young British forester Sam Coggins recounts his...

THE FORESTRY CONTRACTOR - fast becoming endangered.(state of British forestry industry disucssed)(Industry Overview)
March 5, 2003... If you go down to the woods today you'll find a lot of disgruntled people as David Ogg, Independent Forestry*, has... Between the glossy covers of the various trade journals all is well in our industry. National newspapers consider good...

SOURCING VFM HARVESTING SOLUTIONS.
March 5, 2003... Excavator conversions may be on the decline but, for contractors with continuous clearfell work, the benefits offered outweigh their limitations as Eoghan Daly reports. Irish contractor John Spain is obviously a firm believer in the use of...

Getting physical with the WEEVIL.(physical barriers devised to combat pine weevil infestation in British forests)
March 5, 2003... The pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) causes millions of pounds worth of damage to Britain's conifer forests - estimated to be the equivalent of #1 for every cubic metre of harvested timber. Reporting from Kielder, Northumberland, Hilary and Susan...

BEST VALUE ESTATE ON THE MARKET.(Citroen Xsara Estate HDi compared with the Skoda Octavia Estate)
March 5, 2003... Copyright: CMP Information Ltd. Having sung the praises of the Skoda Octavia Estate three years ago, our man behind the As car manufacturers keep leap-frogging each other to maintain sales, it is important to keep an eye on the market...

JUST THE MAN FOR THE JOB.(Column)
March 5, 2003... The continuing saga of a life of stump, grind and ground clearance, courtesy Justin Kingwell of Kingwell Holdings*. Is it that time again? The phone rings and it's FBT. `Can you put together something for the stump grinding issue?' ...

CHIPPING AND NOW STUMPING.(equipment from Wilkie Recycling Systems Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Latest addition to the the equipment range of Wilkie Recycling Systems Ltd* - long-known for its Schliesing-made Premier woodchippers - are Fermex stumpcutters for which it has been appointed sole UK and Ireland distributor. Although new to the...

Narrow access grinding.(DANequip introduces self propelled stump grinder)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... This self-propelled pedestrian stump grinder from DANequip*, has two engine options - 20 or 25hp Kohler V twin Command, fitted as standard, with electric start, low oil pressure shutdown and industrial air filter, thus extending engine life....

The long and the short of it.(Andreas Stihl Ltd introduces two versions of its clearing saws)
March 5, 2003... This year, two of Andreas Stihl Ltd's* clearing saws are available as both standard- and short-shaft versions, the FS400 (40cc) and FS450 (44cc). Aimed at the professional forestry, arboricultural and contracting market, they combine `low...

Ascot races ahead.(Ascot Tree Services introduces new site clearance machinery)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Describing themselves `as the country's leading non-burning site- clearance specialists and the first operator of tracked, self-propelled mulchers (SPM) in the UK', Ascot Tree Services* has again modernised its equipment fleet. Its RT350 has...

From chippers to grinders.(GreenMech Ltd introduces line of stumpgrinders )(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Best known for its range of British-built woodchippers and shredders, GreenMech Ltd* also produce stumpgrinders. The STM25-18, according to the company, `is the ideal machine to remove any type of tree stump without having to bring in a...

Vermeer paints smaller canvas.(Vermeer introduces new stumpcutters)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... `These new, competitively priced models will expand the Vermeer stumpcutter range into a totally new area of the market - small plant and tool hirers', said B-Trac Equipment Ltd* MD Martin Wright launching two new versions: the 9hp SC90 and the...

Meeting market needs.(Arboplant markets tracked stump grinders)
March 5, 2003... Arborplant* is one of the few companies in the UK to manufacture a range of tracked stump grinders. The current range consists of the Predator 26 and 50hp models, with 80, 100 and 150hp versions under development for introduction later this...

Jungle-busters.(new brushcutter introduced)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Latest arrival in the Makita (UK) Ltd* stable is the EM430L four-stroke brushcutter. Its `powerful, easy-start engine pumps out an impressive 1.43hp with a clever throttle control to set and fix engine revs for a smooth finish'. Also...

From 20hp to `big daddy's 600.(wood mulchers)
March 5, 2003... Backed by 30 years' experience in the specialised field of forestry machinery, Lamberhurst Engineering* looks to `world-leading' Seppi for its range of mulchers, both fixed-knife and swinging-hammer. Machines come with power-input options...

Sound performance.(Countax introduces new brush cutters)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The latest Echo heavy duty brushcutters from Countax* are proving their worth in tough and demanding conditions. The SRM4000 (43cc) and the SRM5000 (52cc) offer two-stroke durability and high performance. The high torque Echo engines are...

`Cuts weekly costs by 78%'.(Kendall Machinery's stump grinder is suitable for small jobs)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... Richard Brown of Sherwood Contracts contacted Kendall Machinery Ltd* with a problem: he needed a flexible stump grinder solution to offer his customers. When he initially decided to enter this treework sector, he either hired a machine at #300...

MULCHER MAGNIFICO.(AHWI (UK) Ltd introduces new mulcher)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... `The most powerful self-propelled mulcher available in Europe'. That is AHWI (UK) Ltd's* proud claim for its 550hp RT550, top-of-the range German-built machine. It is just one of its line-up of equipment designed for heavy-duty weed control,...

Designed for destruction.(Spearhead Machinery introduces shrub cutter)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... An `extreme-duty' scrub cutter is how Spearhead Machinery Ltd* describes its latest development aimed at matching a new generation of big - 120-hp+ - tractors with reverse drive. Its advantage is that it can be pulled through lighter growth or...

Don't be stumped for a new life.(stump clearing franchisee StumpBusters profiled)(Company Profile)
March 5, 2003... In January 1994, Mike Cook and Martin Chignall established StumpBusters*, based in the Thames Valley, after deciding that the UK market functioning in this tree-work sector was in its infancy. They had found that, while there were some machines...

Brush and stump cutting.(equipment from Husqvarna)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... The 70cm wide, Honda engine-powered SG13 stumpgrinder from Husqvarna* is designed for working in confined areas. The eight tungsten carbide tipped teeth can cut to a depth of 30cm. Price is #3859. 99 (inc VAT). The company's...

Friendlier Attila.(Etesia UK Ltd introduces new brushcutter)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2003... With the increasing problem of global warming, the need to protect the environment and cut air pollution grows ever stronger. In this context, Etesia UK Ltd's* recent launch of its Attila AV95 ride-on brushcutter has extra relevance: it is...