So is this going to persuade you to plant land with trees?

[holwellcourtfarm]

I am sure I have read, that it only stores Carbon if the wood produced is stored and not burn or allowed to rot down, and even then, it only sequests the same as permanent pasture anyway, and if it is on peat, less.

That's a very big "If" in my view. Using it in buildings might lock it up for 50 years but not much more and, even then, some is burnt or composted (all the waste on site including, often, whole lengths of virgin timber left over on the job). Few modern houses will be unmodified after 50 years. It's not like the old 12" square oak beams in traditional houses that often last 300 years or more.

And, as you say, if it's used to burn for fuel it then becomes just cycling short to medum term with no net sequestration at all.

Smoke and mirrors IMHO.

 

[steveR]

To my way of thinking, the question is more will EWCO attract and appeal to the NT, Charities and the Burrells of this World?

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

To my way of thinking, the question is more will EWCO attract and appeal to the NT, Charities and the Burrells of this World?

But can they, on their own, deliver the target areas?

 

[Hilly]

Same down here. 50 year cycle from planting to clear felling. How does it store carbon? Stumps and brash cart deep. Hell of a fire risk.

Tis about half that with the latest sitca spruce, we are all told to add value produce best you can , only manufacturing that’s survived in the U.K. is quality manufacturing , bespoke , then they cover the countryside in lowest quality commodity tree they can find , sad to see this happening.

 

[Henarar]

A summary of the new England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) from S&P

To answer the question in the title, no as it would seem you are not alowed to let the cows eat them.

Not that I would have to do much planting, has anyone else noticed the ammout of little oak trees around the fields this year ?
perhaps I should pot them up in readyness for the hudge demand this scheme is going to create ?

 

[steveR]

But can they, on their own, deliver the target areas?

...Good Point.

 

[egbert]

I'd rather just plant what I want, where I want, with my own funds, in my own time.
As an aside, squirrels trashed my last batch of oak saplings. Little bastewards.🐿

I've planted oaks for 30 years plus, and don't have a site which isn't being destroyed by squirrels.
Breaks your heart.
Resolved not to put any more in until there's a resolution.

This scheme can go hang.

 

[Henarar]

Tis about half that with the latest sitca spruce, we are all told to add value produce best you can , only manufacturing that’s survived in the U.K. is quality manufacturing , bespoke , then they cover the countryside in lowest quality commodity tree they can find , sad to see this happening.

30 years for sitca is what the manager of the forestry next to us told me, shame as what they took out was mainly ash that was killed by imported dieback

 

[Hilly]

30 years for sitca is what the manager of the forestry next to us told me, shame as what they took out was mainly ash that was killed by imported dieback

They grow like stink these days , the faster they grow the worse the quality , good timber is grown slowly ..

 

[steveR]

They grow like stink these days , the faster they grow the worse the quality , good timber is grown slowly ..

Might as well use poplar or willow!!

 

[Henarar]

They grow like stink these days , the faster they grow the worse the quality , good timber is grown slowly ..

and what good is it for wildlife, tis dark as a dungeon under that stuff once it gets going

 

[Hilly]

and what good is it for wildlife, tis dark as a dungeon under that stuff once it gets going

Yup life less , I’ve no proof but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not affecting water as well needles turning everything acidic.

 

[David.]

Poll needs another box: I would never trust any assurance given by any politician, or quango official, ever.

 

[Banana Bar]

I’ve said it before and it needs saying again. To plant anything other than trees for your own enjoyment needs compensating at very close to the freehold value of that land, this also needs to be paid very soon after planting. Why anyone would devalue their asset by at least 60% baffles me. I suspect anyone with a decent loan secured on land will run a mile!

BB

 

[egbert]

They grow like stink these days , the faster they grow the worse the quality , good timber is grown slowly ..

It's not quite as simple as that, but yes...the quest for 'yield' has led to a collapse in the intrinsic quality of a lot of timber grown in the UK.

The sitka plantation mentality - grow the fastest shite with zero ongoing management, to prematurely clearfell, supplying the lowest common denominator outlets - fills me with disgust.
The trade is dominated by the most successful corporates in the race to the bottom.
such is life.

On the other side i suppose....
I was on an estate yesterday, and casually valued a felled oak log at £1000 plus for the first 16' (it had already been sold for £1700 i'm now told)
It was good, but not outstanding, and big but not monstrous. (£375/tonne)
I was in fact there to price another hardwood log, for which i'm about to bid a grand or so.

I note i never see a squirrel on that estate. Ever.

and softwoods?
high pruned western red cedar, managed for slower growth than fast yield.... well i'm paying £120/tonne for lesser wrc, so £200/t?

 

[steveR]

Poll needs another box: I would never trust any assurance given by any politician, or quango official, ever.

Ahhh, but that is a given surely, @david ...?

It is a sad indictment of our Leaders and (some) Civil Servants though...

 

[Henarar]

I was on an estate yesterday, and casually valued a felled oak log at £1000 plus for the first 16' (it had already been sold for £1700 i'm now told)
It was good, but not outstanding, and big but not monstrous. (£375/tonne)

What diameter was it ?

 

[egbert]

What diameter was it ?

circa 3' mid dia, 16' long. nice cleanish butt off good red soil.

 

[Abi Kay]

I'm interviewing Henry Dimbleby tomorrow. Any of you got a burning question you'd like me to ask him?

 

[Abi Kay]

I'm interviewing Henry Dimbleby tomorrow. Any of you got a burning question you'd like me to ask him?

Sorry, wrong thread. Doh.