Developing resilient forests: leading experts say the UK needs to diversify woodland for a sustainable future

The urgent need to establish resilience is the main theme of the annual report – the UK’s most authoritative resource on forestry investment activity. It is produced by Tilhill Forestry – the UK’s leading forest services provider – and specialist forest and land agency firm Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group.

It will be launched at conferences in Edinburgh and London on 19^th and 20^th November.

Providing a detailed analysis of the forestry market performance in 2024, the report – and discussions at the launch events – will also explore how stakeholders can overcome current barriers both within and outside the sector, such as climate change, species availability and public awareness and understanding.

Figures will be revealed in full on the launch dates, but data hints at more commercial forestry properties being listed in 2024 than in 2023, but with a lower value.

Climate change is already significantly impacting forestry as we know it in the UK. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events, such as wind and flooding, and the impact of invasive pests and diseases – which are thriving in warmer conditions – are putting increased stress on our trees.

At the conference, forestry experts will discuss how we can better support our forests and woodlands with alternative silviculture methods to adapt to these climate pressures, and how investors and the industry can work together to make this a reality.

Stuart Pearson, Tilhill Forestry’s Business Development Director and Chartered Forester will speak on methods of silviculture that prioritise resilient woodlands and forests. He will be joined by professionals from Forest Research and Forestry England.

In Edinburgh, Dr David Edwards, Research Impact Coordinator at Forest Research, will discuss a new project, which has been commissioned by Scottish Forestry and is being led by Forest Research, who are drawing up a list of productive alternative species that would help diversify and improve forestry resilience.

Dr Edwards said: “Forest Research is working with Scottish Forestry by providing the underpinning evidence to select a more diverse palette of productive species and build a resilience into future forestry in Scotland. The launch of this year’s Forest Market Report provides a welcome opportunity for us to showcase our research and strengthen our relationships with representatives from across the sector.”

Dr Eleanor Tew, Head of Forest Planning at Forestry England, will be joining the event in London on 20^th November.

Dr Tew led the Forestry England study ‘A horizon scan of issues affecting UK forest management within 50 years’ – warning of the emerging threats to woodlands, including tree disease and extreme weather events.

She will be emphasising the urgent call to action to build on, and dramatically upscale, action to increase forest resilience.

Xander Mahony, Head of Forestry Investment at Tilhill Forestry, said: “This event brings together a number of experts who can help inform the industry of the importance of planning ahead to have the right forests for the future.

“This is a timely topic for investors, who will have likely seen the impact our changing climate is having on forestry in Europe and North America.”

Jon Lambert, Partner at Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group, said: “A healthy forestry landscape needs both timber-producing trees and biodiverse, broadleaved woodlands. The imperative as ever is planting the right tree in the right place.

“I expect the conference to provide and provoke interesting, stimulating and inspiring discussions on the future of forestry and woodlands in the UK.”

Now in its 26^th year, the UK Forest Market Report is the most comprehensive publicly available record of UK forestry transactions, providing details on completed sales. This includes commercial forestry properties over 20 hectares and mixed woodlands over 10 hectares, as well as the opportunities and demand for carbon, planting land and natural capital.

This report is a market commentary based on the deals and listings Tilhill Forestry and Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group have observed over the past twelve months. The two company’s combined experience and market position ensure strong insight into trends, but there are a significant number of off-market transactions not captured in the analysis.

The launch event will be held at the Signet Library in Edinburgh on 19^th November, and at 116 Pall Mall in London on 20^th November, with a livestream also available.