Demonstration Site Project - Great Tre-rhew

Viability of Small Farm Conifer Blocks

 

Project aims:

  • Demonstrate the efficient felling and extraction of established conifer blocks and timber production on farm.
  • Explore the viability of managing small conifer blocks considering logistics of felling and extraction, taking into account topography and size of woodland area.

Strategic objectives:

  • Demonstrate best practice and efficient cost effective methods to fell and extract timber from farm woodland blocks.
  • Investigate opportunities to add value and explore the available markets for timber produce of varying quality.

Project in practice:

  • 0.65 hectares of Sitka Spruce, which was planted in the 1960’s will be felled and extracted using alternative methodologies, namely a harvester and forwarder rather than manual felling and winching techniques, taking into account topography and size of woodland area. 
  • The volume of timber produced will be recorded and the varying quality of timber available identified e.g. sawlogs, bars, fencing material and woodchip.
  • The cost of felling and extraction using alternative harvesting methods was also recorded.

Project update:

  • A block of Sitka Spruce will be felled and extracted at an open day on December 6th 11am - 4pm.

Open event report:

The open day provided a practicle demonstration of felling and extracting a typical farm woodland block of Sitka Spruce which had been unmanaged since planting.

The economics of the operation depends on the value of the timber and end use, this was shown to be the case on the day. Adding value demonstration was given by milling timber and processing fencing posts.

Iwan Parry – Senior Forest Manager for Tilhill Forestry covering South Wales gave an overview of the process involved in effectively marketing a parcel of timber and managing the process.

Farmers took the opportunity to visit the site and see the harvester at work first hand and the logistics of felling and extracting out to roadside. Good discussion was had on site which followed back in the yard whilst viewing the mill and post processor at work.

Presentations were given in the afternoon by Tilhill, Coed Cymru and Woodland trust.

 

Key messages:                              

It is important that landowners have a full understanding of the process before an attempt to either sell a block of timber standing or consider doing it themselves. There are 3 fundamental parts to the process: Method of sale; planning and management

This will cover the Tender Evaluation, Planning & Management of a Harvesting Site/Sale.

Seek to get good advice regarding management of your woodland. Effective planning and appropriate management techniques will contribute to a successful project.

Appropriate and timely management intervention was the message from Coed Cymru with an overview of what should be thought about when planting e.g. the right tree in the right place.

Woodland trust promoted the concept of PAWS management and the fact that Commercial forestry and PAWS management could work together for sound business outcomes.

The financial viability of small farm woodland blocks such as Skirrid can be questionable and dependant on species present, logistical difficulty regarding topography etc, timber quality and end use.

Adding value of on farm timber and processing a sustainable resource into material and end products that can be used on the farm can contribute to considerable cost saving when implementing specific projects such as renovation of old farm buildings or fencing.