WHILE AN increasing number of farmers recognise what woodlands and timber can add to their business, not everyone presently has the confidence or knowledge to manage their trees to best effect.

Advice on how to make the best of those farm woodlands was put centre stage at a free event held last week on Meadows Farm, Cornhill, close to the Aberdeenshire/Moray border. Bringing together local farm foresters, staff from Forestry Commission Scotland and a timber harvesting company, the meeting was organised under the Scottish Government’s Farm Advisory Service programme, and delivered by specialists from SAC Consulting.

“Not all farmers have experience of forestry and woodland management,” explained senior woodlands consultant Simon Jacyna. "Some will have planted woodlands in the late 1990s under the Grampian Forest Challenge which are ready for thinning. If it is done properly now they will make more from their long term investment.

“Sawmillers and timber buyers want logs that are straight and free from defects,” said Mr Jacyna. “A good quality crop from a well thinned wood commands a premium price. In its lifetime a wood may be thinned up to four times but this first thinning is all important and if the opportunity is missed the crop could be ruined."

Meadows Farm forest owners Ivan and Louise Owen were on hand to explain why they planted trees on their farm and how they go about thinning and other management operations. Farm forester Mike Davies explained how a farm tractor can be adapted for forestry use and demonstrated a small timber trailer, the purchase of which was partially funded by the Forestry Grant Scheme.