Forestry Case Studies

East Strone

Tamshiel Rig

Healey Woodland

Operation: Thinnings
Harvesting Contractor: Even Forestry Ltd
Harvesting Manager: Ben Drake, EGGER Forestry Limited
Client / Owner: Tom Warde-Aldam
Volume: 2000m3
Crop Details: Predominately Scots Pine, with some Larch and Sitka Spruce
Products: Sawlogs to Taylormade Timber products, Sherburn Hill. Chipwood to EGGER Hexham


EGGER Forestry has carried out a number of clearfell and thinning operations over the last few years on the estate.

This operation is the third time the stand has been thinned with the aim of each intervention being improvement of the final crop.

As well as optimising the value recovery, EGGER Forestry minimizes its environmental impact on the site through the use of appropriate machines suitable for each operation and work with experienced contractors.

Comment from the client

"I have been able to develop a strong working relationship with EGGER Forestry over the last few years as they have successfully purchased standing timber on the estate. I have always found them to have a professional approach, be trustworthy and have flexibility in their payment terms."

Tom Warde-Aldam, Owner

Kidland Forest Complex

Operation: Two harvesting sites within the Kidland forest which covers a wide range of site conditions, most of which includes very challenging terrain.
Harvesting Contractor: Walton Logging
Harvesting Manager: Ben Drake, EGGER Forestry Limited
Client: FIM / Tilhill
Volume: 30,000 tonnes
Crop Details: Sitka spruce. FSC 100%
Products: Saw logs for local sawmillers; Chipwood for EGGER Hexham.

EGGER Forestry has been operating consistently within the forest at Kidland for over 15 years and over this time has built up strong relationships with local forest managers.

The company has developed a specialism to plan and deliver safe harvesting operations whilst maximising the forest owners investment.

At the first harvesting site a cable based system was employed due to the ground being too steep to operate wheeled or tracked machines safely. At the second site purpose built wheeled machinery was used on the steep topography to harvest and extract the standing timber.

EGGER Forestry works within safe limits to maximise production whilst minimising operational costs.

Whitestones Dipper

The clearfell site of Whitestones Dipper is located in Harwood Forest, Northumberland. EGGER Forestry has worked within Harwood Forest for a number of years and has a very good working relationship with the Forestry commission and the local managers. The forestry commission recognise the high standard of harvesting work we carry out, in conjunction with our contractors.

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Operation: Steep Ground Clearfell 
Equipment: Mounty 4000 skyline with a Woody 60 harvester head
Harvesting Contractor: Dewi Williams 
Forest Owner: Forestry Commision (N England) 
Volume: 2,000m³ per annum (5 years) 
Crop Details: 44 years old Sitka spruce 
Products: Sawlogs, pallet logs and chipwood

"Steep ground operations continues to provide additional challenges to our industry and requires a strong commitment from all parties involved. 

 

EGGER Forestry along with Dewi Williams have shown the type of commitment needed to carry out these operations in a safe and environmentally sensitive way."

 

David Woodhouse, Forest Enterprise (N England)

Allerthorpe Wood

East Ayrshire

Property: Sorn Estate, East Ayrshire
Client / Owner: Sorn Estate
EGGER Forest Manager: Sam Booth/Katherine Evans-Smith
Area: 56 hectares
Woodland details: Woodland creation of productive conifer and non-productive native broadleaves.

Summary of management objectives:

As part of a diverse rural estate seeking to evolve to meet varied objectives, 56 hectares of former grazing land have been planted following assessment that forestry can provide a better economic return than farming.

In order to receive funding to create a multi-purpose productive conifer woodland, EGGER Forestry has undertaken the necessary planning and design work to gain approval from Forestry Commission Scotland. The scheme required consideration of a number of habitat sensitivities, needing expert knowledge to aid the design process. Following approval of the scheme EGGER Forestry has implemented and supervised all works, including vegetation control, ground preparation, fencing and planting, to ensure compliance with the UK Forestry Standard. The completed project has provided the landowner with a net positive cash flow and a woodland designed to create a varied habitat as well as a source of income in the future.

“EGGER Forestry has taken us through the very complicated grant application process and dealt with the environmental and ecological studies involved.” Nick Wright, Owner’s Agent.

Deborah Plantation

• Maximize financial return of investment
• Maintain and improve capital value
• Enhance and increase wildlife habitats through further diversification

Berrybush

• Maximize regular financial return from the commercial crop through the restructuring process whilst demonstrating sound silvicultural practice.
• Satisfy the requirements of the UKFS and UKWAS
• Maintain or improve the long term productivity and capital value of the woodland
• Protect and enhance all archaeological, biodiversity, cultural and landscape features, especially those of significance within the property

The Kilmichael Woodlands (535 ha) comprises of Dunamuck Woodlands (241 ha) and Prince of Wales Woodlands (181 ha). They are located between Lochgilphead and Kilmartin in Argyll.

The woodlands were planted over an extended period between 1959 and 1994 and are at various stages of restructuring with second rotation crops well established.

The woodlands are certified under the EGGER Forestry Resource Manager Scheme.

Dunamuck Woodlands

The mixed conifer clearfell is a complex site which involved harvester and forwarder with high-lead winch work on steep slopes and rocky outcrops.

The dismantling and controlled felling of edge trees within close proximity to residential dwellings was planned and supervised by the Forest Manager in parallel with the harvesting operation.

"I am delighted that EGGER Forestry has helped me realise the potential of my forestry investment through their professional and determined approach to a very complicated site."

Prince of Wales Woodlands