The new Forestry Commission reports “50-Year Forecast of Softwood Availability” and “50-Year Forecast of Hardwood Availability” show for the first time timber availability in Great Britain over a 50-year period.
Timber volume potentially available in Forestry Commission/Natural Resources Wales forests is forecast to fall from a potential 6.9 million m3 a year in the first period (2013–16) to 4.3 million m3 in the final period (2057–61), averaging 5.2 million m3 per annum over the forecast period, of which around 70% is produced from spruce.
The private forest sector is forecast to see a significant increase, followed by a decrease. Timber volumes potentially available rise from 9.6 million m3 in the first period (2013–16) to a peak of 12.7 million m3 in the fourth period (2027–31), before declining to 7.0 million m3 in 2047-51, then recovering marginally to 7.9 million m3 in the final period (2057–61).
Around 61% of timber production from the private sector is from spruce. “These are potential availability reports – not production forecasts – but I am confident that with industry-wide co-operation and innovation, the sector in Scotland will be able to optimise the available resource and ensure that over the next 50 years, current record production levels are sustained,” said environment minister Paul Wheelhouse.
