New practical guidance for owners of small woodlands has been published to help them clear storm damaged trees.

The advice is aimed at woodland owners who may not have experienced windblow of this scale before and are not sure of the key steps needed to manage the recovery of timber.

A Top Ten checklist, supported by more detailed information, has been produced by Scottish Forestry and Confor, in consultation with the NFUS and Scottish Land and Estates, and is now available online.

Environment Minister Màiri, McAllan said: “Storm Arwen was the first storm to hit this winter. Very quickly after, the forest industries pulled together and started strategic work to plan out the recovery of fallen and damaged trees.

“A number of meetings have since taken place and it is very impressive how the industry is collaborating so well and managing this process across the supply chain.

“There are many smaller woodland owners who have not dealt with such a clear up operation before," noted Ms McAllan. "This new guidance is aimed at them so that they have clear advice on dealing with the aftermath of Storm Arwen and the subsequent storms.”

Storm Arwen was the most ferocious storm to hit Scotland this winter, but it was followed in quick succession by storms Malik, Corrie, Dudley and Eunice, which affected already weakened and vulnerable trees. The forestry sector is now working through the extra volume of timber that is available.

Deputy Chief Executive of forestry and wood industry body Confor, Andy Leitch, said: "We welcome the very practical guidance note to support woodland owners to manage the recovery of timber from storm-damaged woodlands. This is new territory for many of those affected and it is important to provide them with clear, pragmatic advice – as part of a coordinated approach to the wider impact of the winter storms.

"As part of this package of support, Confor has published a list of member companies who are able to offer that advice."

Scottish Forestry has been deploying its staff to the areas most affected and is fast tracking necessary paperwork that is needed. Felling Permissions, which are still needed for windblow, are being dealt with in around 14 days, instead of the usual six weeks.

The Forest Research agency has been supplying satellite based data to help the industry quantify how much timber has been affected. Guidance has also been issued to help woodland owners make best use of quality hardwoods that have been brought down by the storms (see Page 52).

NFU Scotland rural business policy advisor Rhianna Montgomery said: “Scotland’s farmers and crofters have been battered by a succession of storms this winter that have wreaked significant damage and disruption across many parts.

“Recent storms have simply compounded much of the damage to woodlands started by Storm Arwen. Forestry Scotland estimate that Arwen alone brought down around 4000 hectares of forestry, an estimated eight million trees. Working with Forestry Scotland and other stakeholders, we have prepared this important guide for small woodland owners, many of whom will be farmers and crofters, on how to safely and successfully clear fallen timber.”

Access the free advice at https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/1394-top-10-tips-for-storms