Forestry & British Timber articles from March 2004

Forestry & British Timber archives from March 2004

AWAY WITH PESSIMISM - A COUNTERBLAST FROM THE SHARP END.
March 11, 2004... My innate optimism was stretched almost to breaking-point by the first and last pages of text in your February edition (writes Tom Bruce Jones, chairman of James Jones & Sons Ltd). Over many years, we have become accustomed to increasingly...

END OF AN ERA FOR ICF?(Institute of Chartered Foresters)
March 11, 2004... Times are becoming increasingly hard for the 1000 member-strong Institute of Chartered Foresters. In a letter to members just before Christmas, ICF president Martin Gale, announced that the institute's council, having considered all the...

Weevil on the web.(pest information)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Keeping up with the latest information on managing forestry's two most harmful insect pests is now only a click away thanks to a new Forestry Commission website*. Both notorious large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis, and black pine beetle,...

Forest's new board threesome.(National Forest Company)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... On the eve of the March launch of the National Forest Company's (NFC) new strategy, Defra announced three new appointments to the initiative's board: Martin Glynn, Oliver Johnson and Dr Fiona Tilley. `As we enter the next ten years of the...

Beacon's prices buck trend.(Beacon Forestry timber sales)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... The average price of timber sold through Beacon Forestry's electronic auction and tender sales during 2003 was 7.7% up on the average for 2002. The significance of this is highlighted by the fact that since Beacon started operating competitive...

New arb-risk insurer - courtesy Gibraltar!(Bryant Kesek & Partners)
March 11, 2004... A new insurer has appeared on the scene willing to underwrite liability within the UK's arboricultural and forestry sectors. The story begins, somewhat unexpectedly, on the Rock of Gibraltar, home of newly- registered Casualty and General...

Just 'fir' the tigers.(Edinburgh Zoo uses old Christmas trees)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Old Christmas trees are proving to be a roaring success with Edinburgh Zoo's tigers following a recent delivery from Forestry Commission Scotland's Blairadam forest, near Kelty. The trees, which were due for recycling, have gone back to nature...

From advising to directing.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... The Forestry Contracting Association (FCA), as managing agents to the Yorwoods Partnership*, has announced the appointment of Will Richardson as director of the Ripon, North Yorks-based woodland initiative. He succeeds Martin Glynn who recently...

Calls for commitment.(timber marketing plans)
March 11, 2004... Co-operation, information, and commitment is what is required from Scotland's forest owners if they want consolidation in the market and a future for their growing resource. So said Chris Inglis, executive director of Forestry and Timber...

Thumbs up for Lake Vyrnwy.(timber certification)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... `We are delighted with this latest endorsement of the management of the Lake Vyrnwy Estate'. Geoff Nickolds, conservation, access and recreation manager for Severn Trent Water (STW) was speaking on hearing the news that the timber produced in...

Clean, green growing machines.(Plastics recycling)
March 11, 2004... Guild Wood in East Yorkshire has been chosen by the Woodland Trust as a trial site for a treeshelter recycling experiment. During 2003, it reports, it planted at least 300,000 trees nationwide with this added protection bringing the total over...

P. ramorum update.(Plant disease control)
March 11, 2004... Nine trees at three sites in Cornwall have now been found to be infected with Phytophthora ramorum (see FBT Feb p18), according to Defra and the Forestry Commission who are considering, with local partner organisations, what further measures...

Woodland wellbeing.
March 11, 2004... The Forestry Commission Wales' Towy Valley `walking for health scheme' in the forests around Llandovery has won the Countryside Agency's `Three heart award'. In partnership with a local medical centre, it had earned it by promoting `a walk in...

Lightening the load for BSW.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... This truck is one of six 'Jumbo' sideloaders chosen by BSW Timber for handling duties at its Newbridge on Wye sawmill. BSW, who have six sawmills in the UK and one in Latvia, worked closely with manufacturers Valmar Handling Systems, to ensure...

Paper to power - new light for Welsh wood.(Biomass energy)
March 11, 2004... Prominent South Wales timber and wood-product supply company The Western Log Group (WLG) of Port Talbot has joined forces with a major blue-chip utilities company in promoting a renewable energy plant. To be built by locally-based Western...

TV man at Batsford.(Tommy Walsh )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Tommy Walsh of 'Ground Force' fame, the mould-breaking television series that launched a thousand decks and probably as many miles of fencing, is to be guest of honour at the Batsford Timber open day on Saturday March 20. Venue is Batsford's...

Three `standard' issues.(Woodland Assurance Standard planning)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Three topics have been identified by the UK Woodland Assurance Standard* steering group as needing to be dealt with `in particular depth' in the current revision process due to be completed by September 30. They are: improving access to...

FSC first for NFC.(Forest Stewardship Council)(National Forest Company )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... A woodland at Heather, Leicestershire has become the first National Forest Company owned site to achieve certification status from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Covering some 11.2ha, it comprises a mix of recently planted and existing...

Clearing up a grey area.(Red squirrels protection plan)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... 'The only way to save the British red squirrel from total extinction is to remove the alien grey squirrel'. Thus Miles Barne, chairman of the recently formed European Squirrel Initiative (ESI), welcomed the decision by the Lake District...

Western Isles take up challenge.(Afforestation)
March 11, 2004... Scotland's wind-tossed Western Isles are following the examples of Shetland and Orkney in promoting new woodland within a challenging environment. Leading the way in the development is Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (WI Council) with the backing of...

Urban techniques.(National Urban Forestry Unit )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Benefiting from wide experience in nature conservation and land restoration, Dr Nick Michael has joined the Wolverhampton-based National Urban Forestry Unit as technical manager. His brief is to `develop technical innovation and good practice...

New controls on seeds and plants.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... A free information note*, which gives guidance in choosing seeds and young trees for planting, has been published by the Forestry Commission to help foresters and land managers understand new statutory labelling. FC inspectors have been...

Bedford's new `breathing spaces'.(Reforestation)
March 11, 2004... `The Forest of Marston Vale (FMV) is an excellent example of how significant environmental benefits can be brought to growing communities'. This is how Jeff Rooker, minister of state for regeneration and regional development, described the...

Small woods - less charge.(woodland auditing)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Streamlined procedures for certifying small woods, approved at a meeting of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) board in November, could result in a significant reduction in the cost of auditing woodlands. They have been welcomed by the UK...

Tourist attraction.(Forestry Commission Wales plans tourism development)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Thanks to a successful bid for a #624,000 Objective 2 European Funding grant, Forestry Commission Wales is to develop a range of forest tourism projects to attract more visitors and generate economic and tourist benefits. 'In collaboration...

Phillip wraps it up.(Waste and Resources Action Programme)(Phillip Ward appointed)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Former senior civil servant Phillip Ward has joined the waste- management organisation WRAP* as its chief operating officer. The post involves leading its team of directors responsible for running its various materials programmes, one of which...

Finnish attack rebuffed.(Finnish forestry industry )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... The Finnish forestry industry has responded to an article in 'The Sunday Telegraph' which accused it of damaging Finland's old growth woodlands. In his Telegraph column, building writer Jeff Howell said that in the UK's rush to use more...

Major push on training.(lumber industry)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... New moves are underway to improve the provision and funding of training in the timber and forest products sectors. Firstly a new collaborative body, made up from the leading timber and related industry associations and called the UK Wood Chain,...

Indonesian figures queried.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Indonesian reports that environmentalist protest had helped cut their plywood sales to the UK by 300,000 cubic metres were questioned by traders in this country. Indonesia's forest development agency BRIK said that a Greenpeace report...

Scott pallet recycling.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Scott Timber Group is building a new pallet repair, reconditioning and recycling operation in Barry. The company said the new facility, which will include a wood chipping facility, represented a major investment and is expected eventually...

TTF asks the members.(Timber Trade Federation)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... The UK Timber Trade Federation is putting out a questionnaire to members to find out how they want the organisation to develop. The move follows the TTF's decision late last year to axe the post of director general, which was held by Paul...

Dale in trouble.(Dale Joinery)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Dale Joinery, one of the leading independents in the UK general joinery market, has gone into administrative receivership. According to local newspaper reports, the business owes millions of pounds. Ernst & Young were called in to take over...

Cowley in administration.(Cowley Structural Timberwork )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Cowley Structural Timberwork has gone into administration following cash flow problems. The business is one of the best known names in timber engineering, particularly renowned for tackling complex architectural structures. It recently worked...

End of 'hard' era.(Sydney Priday & Snewin and M&J Reuben Ltd close down)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Two of London's longest-established hardwood traders are closing down. Sydney Priday & Snewin, which was founded in 1880, is being wound up due to trading losses. The 12-strong workforce are being laid off and the Stamford Hill site converted...

Jewson certificated.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... The Jewson builder and timber merchant chain aims to have a large part of its nationwide chain of outlets certified under Europe's two leading auditing schemes. The company, now part of the international St Gobain group, is going for...

Bill boosts frame.(timber frame market)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... A private members bill could boost the UK timber frame market. Labour MP Andrew Stunnel has tabled a his 'Sustainable and Secure Buildings' bill to improve the environmental performance of the UK construction sector and the country's housing...

WoodWISE: The view from the sharp end.(Column)
March 11, 2004... In which our monthly contracting contributor Nick Hilton of Woodwise Forestry* laments the unnecessary passing of an old friend - Weald WoodFair - through bureaucratic bungling... For all the months I write stuff for you that is totally...

Just what is the Forestry Commission doing for us?
March 11, 2004... The role and future of the Forestry Commission is continually being questioned in these pages and elsewhere. In last month's leader Barry Gamble of fountains said '...the FC's remit is no longer appropriate for today's world', while an article...

Ancient woodland rekindled.(biomass)
March 11, 2004... `We are delighted that our investment in converting from burning coal to a renewable resource for generating power offers a good, sustainable market for hitherto unsaleable, uneconomic biomass. It will enable foresters to maintain our woodlands...

A marriage made in heaven heaven.(Silvatec)(forestry machines)
March 11, 2004... Silvatec have taken excavator conversion to a new level as Eoghan Daly reports. Contractors working in the West of Ireland have found low-cost excavator conversions particularly appealing. Given the poor timber and difficult ground they...

Focused on sustainability and diversity.(forest management )
March 11, 2004... Cumbrian-based Clark Mactavish Limited have always been active in Europe but, in 2002, they moved onto a 'higher plain of European co- operation' with Ireland's `Sylviron Limited' which has culminated in the EURIS* (Europeans Using Roundwood...

ON THE ROAD: Amazing Audi!(transportation industry, product enhancement )
March 11, 2004... The latest Audi A6 comes equipped with some advanced technology. Woodland consultant Eamonn Wall decided to put its Vorsprung Durch Technik to the test! Over the years Audi has brought many innovations to the market place including quattro...

APF DIARY 2004.(Calendar)
March 11, 2004... Ian Millward* bring's us up-to-date on preparations for this year's demo at Ragley Hall in September. In my December article I put out a call-to-arms for any volunteers who might help out with guiding school parties at the Demo. Only half a...

Arborplant makes it a trio.(forest machinery enhancement)
March 11, 2004... Speaker is Patrick Watts, managing director of Arborplant*, based at Henley-on-Thames. The company, established in 1999, specialises in the manufacture, sales, service and hire of a range of equipment for the arboricultural industry and is...

Harnessed in comfort.
March 11, 2004... A notable addition to the latest two clearing saws and two brushcutters from Husqvarna* is a new `user-friendly' Trio-Balance harness. It serves two main functions: to distribute the weight of the machine evenly and make it easier for the...

The full picture.(forest machinery )
March 11, 2004... New features in the latest machine available from the long-established Vermeer stable - the diesel-powered SC352 stump cutter - are aimed at increasing productivity and reducing maintenance and it also has an additional 9hp over the popular...

The cutter to bank on.(vegetation cutting machinery)
March 11, 2004... In launching the new-for-2004 entrant in its brushcutter range for both forestry and other commercial end-users involved in bank work - the Attila 180 heavy-duty ride-on - Etesia UK Ltd* addressed important health and safety issues. ...

Just the job.(forest machinery )(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Riko UK* are expanding their range of forestry and amenity equipment with a range of pedestrian and machine-driven stump-grinders. First to be introduced have been specifically designed for mounting on tractors, skid-steers, tracked or wheeled...

Happy addition.(DANequip)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Woking, Surrey-based Advanced Tree Services Ltd is the first customer to adopt DANequip's* latest arrival - a big brother to join its growing family of narrow-access stump grinders, known as model number 27HD. They will use it on street tree...

On active duty.(Charterhouse Turf Maintenance Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... `The breadth of the line-up means that all users' needs can be met', said Philip Threadgold managing director of Charterhouse Turf Maintenance Ltd* (CTF) when he unveiled the company's ten new 'Active' brushcutter models. Added to its...

From 13 to 275hp.(Westcon Equipment (UK) Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... No fewer than 20 models are offered by UK and European dealers Westcon Equipment (UK) Ltd's* (WE) in its Rayco stump-cutter line-up, ranging from 13 to 275hp. The smallest of the self-propelled machines - the RG 1625A which offers even more...

GreenMech grows bigger.(GreenMech Ltd.)
March 11, 2004... Complementing its existing STM25 stump-grinder range, GreenMech Ltd* has launched its StumpMasters STM27 line-up: models 18, 18H and 500P/D. The company, also well-known in the industry for its British-built woodchippers and shredders,...

Extensive and versatile range.(FAE Co.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... FAE produce the largest range of forestry mulchers with swinging hammer or fixed tooth versions, according to John Stevens of distributor JPS & Sons*. 'The range is huge with standard models FML, FMM plus UML, UMM and UHM', he said. 'Add...

Excavator - based Ahwi.(AHWI (UK) Ltd)
March 11, 2004... 2004 has started off a busy year for Ahwi UK* with numerous enquiries for mulching machines and stone crushers. The company has now commissioned and built an excavator-mounted unit for working on steep slopes and wet ground conditions. It...

From Makita.(EM430L four-stroke brushcutter)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... From the Makita* stable comes the EM430L four-stroke brushcutter with its 'powerful easy-start engine pumping out 1.43hp with a clever throttle control to set and fix engine revs for a smooth finish'. Also incorporated are a line head and...

Miller joins Carlton.(Kendall Machinery UK Ltd becomes distributor for the Miller range of stump grinder)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Feeling that the time was 'right to expand into the pto market to satisfy customer needs', Kendall Machinery UK Ltd* has now become this country's distributor for the Miller range in this category of stump grinder. It already enjoys a...

Bobs along against all odds.(Woodland Field & Garden Maintenance Ltd.)
March 11, 2004... 'Since we started the business during the winter of 2002, the ability of the tracked machine to work in all conditions has meant that we have not stopped'. Andrew Nash, MD of Tring, Herts-based Woodland Field & Garden Maintenance Ltd (WFG) was...

The 'Big Daddy'.(Forest machinery)
March 11, 2004... 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...

The LONG and SHORT of it.(forest machinery, saws)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... With over 20 machines in its brushcutter and clearing saw ranges, Andreas Stihl Ltd* is able to offer a choice of engines, cutting tools, attachments and standard, backpack and split-shaft models to suit an appropriately wide variety of users....