I don't have to write this week's #positiveforestry, its been done for me. Excellent thread about how woodland management can be so beneficial for a range of outcomes. Good stuff.

"As I start to think about the planting season ahead – with some trepidation, I might add – I can’t help but cast my mind back to last winter." FULL COLUMN: www.forestryjournal.co.uk/opinion/2557...

So a few days ago there was a little set to over what we define as a forest. Apparently a conifer plantation isn't, its just a dead zone. So just to show forestry is nuanced, not black and white, here's three photos of commercial plantations all within about 200yds of each other

#positiveforestry back with a bang this week! Other than just being a stunning autumnal photo, its shows how commercial forestry can be indistinguishable from other woodlands. Its only when you really look closely at the photo you can see what's going...

Agreed and the demand for “white” timber whenever possible. The other big challenge in terms of diversification of both species & silviculture, is that the Govt (due to lobbying from the Agri sector) regulates where we can grow timber, and it is usually on poor soils and often upland areas.

The timber needed to build homes like this ⬇️ comes from conifer plantations 🌲🌲🌲 Domestic availability of this timber is set for long term decline. Area of conifer forestry in Scotland has grown by only 0.5% in the last 25 yrs. Global demand for forest products will increase >100% in next 25 yrs

In UK (usually) timber harvesting companies buy standing timber from forest owners, then engage harvesting contractors and hauliers, and sell to sawmills. People get paid when the timber gets to the mill and is weighed. If timber is harvested & sat at roadside, then people haven’t been paid.

This is extremely important, alot of contractors are struggling - machines parked up or sold, inevitably we are going to lose some. Sawmills unwilling to comment. This needs resolving now. @forestsandwood, a matter of urgency, these mills are your members.

We are in a Nature AND Climate emergency, Rothbury would be a great opportunity to demonstrate a more resilient future for our uplands, and show how we can combine timber production AND regenerative farming AND nature conservation.

Mmm let's think about this.. @woodlandtrust and LINK have a huge PR budget (part of their business plan) and when it suits them the WT sit in the forestry sector... cuckoo, cuckoo. Other land uses dominate by virtue of scale... what do you expect?

See? I'm not the only one saying this

Bit of thoughtful reading, should you want it.....⬇️

I will always try and support the forestry industry on SM. Yes, I make my living from it but it means so much more to me than that. I care deeply about the job I do, the timber I provide and the habitats I manage. So why should I have to put up with this utter tripe that is throw at me?

"Polarisation isn't constructive" The thing about forestry is it is one of the few industries where we can have our cake and eat it. #positiveforestry

Disappointed to hear @craigbennett3.bsky.social scare mongering about the possibility of “intensive conifer plantations” on the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland on the Today Programme. Maybe he should listen to Sir David Attenborough www.youtube.com/watch?app=de... especially at the 4 min mark.

Another great example of the role of sustainable forestry in supporting the transition to a lower carbon circular bioeconomy. Sequester, store & substitute 🌲♻️ www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...

Oh well, we would all be better just giving up then! I dispute the claim but even if it is correct we plant trees for a multitude of positive reasons not just one. #positiveforestry

This is a difficult but worthwhile listen about stress in the job and mental health. 🌳🌲 Well done to @royalforestrysoc.bsky.social for promoting, and to @kilmaha.bsky.social Nick Adams , and Gillian from FISA for speaking so openly @forestryjournal.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/4oI4...

This is a pretty uncomfortable listen, but not as uncomfortable as it was for me to talk about the issues faced by contractors in general and me personally. We know what the issues are and the solutions. We just got to fucking do it.

youtu.be/bwXEj2-8QHE?... And just to drive home the point, here's the link to the video again. It is incredibly disappointing that attempts at rational debate with a balanced opinion so often decend into insults. Not cool. #Checkyourtone @royalforestrysoc.bsky.social @wtscotsocial.bsky.social

Well l was going to have a paddy about WT's idealogy over reality but @aspectforest.bsky.social, @andyheald.bsky.social and @tcoatesmicfor.bsky.social have already done it. Looks like decent timber - I wonder what the revenue from it will be used for?

2/2 The show can listened to through Apple Podcasts, Spotify or the podcast website countryslide.co.uk Part of the podcast covers the @royalforestrysoc.bsky.social mental health in forestry awareness campaign.

#positiveforestry #thebestinthebusiness 🤣🤣

Very good listen... www.patreon.com/posts/139095...

Excellent video on what #positiveforestry is all about. I talk about this alot but thank God we have people like @paulbrannenne.bsky.social and @tcoatesmicfor.bsky.social talking about it too, they're better at it than me!

@timberdoodlydoo.bsky.social We are starting to address the issue of mental health awareness in the industry over here as well. I will be posting more content in the coming weeks. m.youtube.com/watch?v=bwXE...

Quite a few anti-conifer anti- forestry posts doing the rounds at the minute, happens periodically. This is one of the reasons, among many, why we have conifer plantations and why they're a vital part of decarbonisation ⬇️ #positiveforestry

for example. The last thing we want to set out and do is create dead zones. Please follow my account. Myself and other foresters and contractors aim to post information about the diversity of the work we do and the wealth of positives the UK forestry industry can provide. #positiveforestry

Interesting thread here. Nothing particularly new in it but good to see polite discourse without the normal social media anger directed at a contractor. Find #positiveforestry from a bunch of forestry professionals on our feeds here and on twitter.

Well done to @royalforestrysoc.bsky.social for this focus on mental health and understanding pressure in the sector. Please watch the video and please check your tone when speaking with people.

Important message ⬇️ Check your tone. Check your actions too.

Busy week, so just about got this weeks #positiveforestry posted in time😮‍💨 Is worth it though because this one shows that sometimes forestry doesn't have to be labeled as one thing or the other and neither do the people working in it. And the benefits are sometimes not obvious

Timber working as timber does. That's the brilliant thing about growing trees for timber, you get carbon capture and a useable product and the effects last for hundreds of years. #positiveforestry

Assembled in 17 days using panelized mass timber, sourced from Ontario. Shaped around the church to create a courtyard at the back. Twenty-five new homes.

Carbon captured and stored for 600 years

Thank you for your reply @wtscotsocial.bsky.social Please could you provide the case study evidence where this damage has taken place and give the type/types of damage that have occurred please. Many thanks

The future of construction is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed.

The right questions asked in this piece. Questions me and alot of others have been asking for along time. I'd be interested in Scottish government/FLS answers too and they must have some else the ministers, CEO etc wouldn't have all turned up just to cut ribbons and look good for the cameras.

🧵Continuing with #positiveforestry and a post from a couple of days ago, a bit more on plantation maintenance and why we do it and why we use the methods we use. The photo is a site we planted last winter consisting of mixed broadleaves and conifers.

Riffs? Yeah! Can you dig it? Couple of great (and VERY hot!) days writing/working on new tunes. And we also have our Beautiful Days Festival show to look forward to this Sunday, 18:30 main stage…get in!

One of the things I really need to get across is askong people to think before they say or do something and how that may effect somebody else. I don't think its much to ask. All aspects of forestry have their benefits and they all have to work hand in hand else nothing will work at all.

I'll be going for a pie and pint in brecon on the 19th September if anyone's up for it? Nice to have a chat.....no pressure though, up to you... FCA will cover the cost of the ticket for any member who wants to go. Just email, I'll sort you out. @royalforestrysoc.bsky.social

@aspectforest.bsky.social @andyheald.bsky.social Just another example of commercial forestry's callous disregard for wildlife.