UK FORESTRY Minister David Rutley visited Hexham and Haltwhistle last week, to see how tree planting can be made simpler in England – and learn the difference between getting schemes through in Scotland versus England. Mr Rutley visited Northumberland with forestry industry body CONFOR and wood processing giant EGGER, then went on to see tree planting schemes in action at Iain Kyle’s farm in Haltwhistle. As forestry manager for Davidson and Robertson, Mr Kyle was able to give a good overview of the practical issues facing farmers and landowners accessing tree planting schemes – and highlighted how the process in Scotland is much simpler.