The effect of specification on selling prices of conifer sawlogs in South West England

The selling price of conifer logs sold in the period 1979–84has been related in diminishing order of importance to: thediameter at breast height of trees from which the logs werederived, species, location, log grade and log minimum top diameter.Cash values are assigned to these aspects of valuation. The relationship between price and diameter at breast heightis linear. A generalised regression equation is given; thisis then linked to the Forestry Commission index of softwoodsawlog prices, and to conventional price-size curves used ineconomic appraisals.     

Forest and Woodland in Devon

Based on the 1980 Census, the distribution, composition andownership of woodland in Devon is described. A large proportionof privately-owned woodland is not under formal management andmuch of this is of coppice origin. Although of indifferent timberquality, these woods are considered important features of thelandscape particularly in relation to the Dartmoor NationalPark. Assessment of small woods and park trees suggests a deficiencyof young oak and an increase in colonising broadleaved species. Over much of the county the physical conditions are suited tothe growth of exotic conifers and plantations of these are capableof the economic production of high quality saw timber to satisfylocal and other markets. The scope for expansion is limitedhowever and the future of much of the broadleaved woodland dependson the attitudes adopted by their owners and the local authoritiestogether with the grant aid available.     

Cold-storage of Forest Nursery Plants An Account of Experiments and Trials; 1958-63: (With 2 Plates)

Seedlings of many species commonly planted in the forest maysafely be kept in cold-stores at +2? C. Storage at –5?generally reduces the rate of survival after transplanting.The period in store may last from February until late May ifseedlings are required for late transplanting, or it may beextended until August if surplus seedlings are being held over.Plants must be fully dormant when lifted; they must be healthyand must not be put into store until any rain or dew has driedoff them. Plants should be stored in polythene bags.     

CONTROL OF CUTWORM IN FOREST NURSERIES

Larvae of Agrotis segetum Schiff (cutworms) damaged seedlingson a light loam soil at Ken nington Nursery, Oxford. Experimentscarried out in 1955–7 investigated the effect of BHC,DDT, aldrin, and dieldrin on cutworms and their phytotoxicityto Sitka spruce (Picea sitcbensis) seedlings. A spray containing 3 lb. aldrin per acre (as a 30 per cent,miscible oil) or 1? lb. dieldrin per acre (as a 15 per cent,miscible oil) gave excellent control of Agrotis segetum larvaeand did no damage to the seedling crop. Both insecticides wereapplied in 100 gallons water per acre. Immediate control ofcutworm was obtained with applications at time of expected larvalemergence (mid-June) or at time of first visible crop damage(mid-July); applications one month later gave good control after3 days. Stock beds containing seedlings of all the conifers commonlyused in Britain have been sprayed in mid-July with aldrin anddieldrin at half the rate used in the experiments. No specieswas damaged and control of cutworm was good.     

EXPERIMENTS IN HAND-WEEDING OF CONIFER SEEDBEDS IN FOREST NURSERIES

Summary. In 3 years and in three nurseries, experimental plots sown with conifer seed were weeded by hand at intervals from 1½ to 12 weeks. Assessments of the seedlings at the end of each year showed a reduction in numbers and height only on plots left for 12 weeks between successive weedings. The total time taken to weed plots during the growing season was least for plots weeded at intervals of 3-4 weeks and greatest for plots weeded at the longest intervals. Data on the total weight of weeds, the total number of weeds, the species composition and the stage of weed growth at weeding are also given and discussed.
Essais de désherbage dans les pépinières     

Beech in Wessex - a Perspective on Present Health and Silviculture

The condition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L) growing in thirtywoods in the south of England is described. In older woods,up to 20 per cent of trees were killed or seriously damagedby the summer drought of 1976. Most surviving trees have recoveredfully. Beech snap disease, associated with the fungus Nectria coccineais widespread in younger stands, especially those also affectedby lime-induced chlorosis, beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga)or severe competition. Nevertheless, sufficient trees surviveto provide a choice of final crop. In the long term, beech doesnot seem likely to die out through drought or disease. Trees of almost all ages and conditions exhibit a tendency tomultiple forking. The principle remedy is to keep trees in closedcanopy until a 6 to 8 m clean bole has been obtained. Beechresponds well to heavy thinning at this stage. The long term future of beech woodlands depends on timber valuesand on support for their ecological and amenity value. Silviculturally,beech is the best adapted species for the shallowest calcareoussoils, especially on the Jurassic limestone.     

Timber Prices in South West England and their Implications for Plantation Management

Forestry Commission timber sales in the period 1979–82in Southwest England provide consistent data on the relationshipbetween timber prices and the diameter at breast height of treesfrom which logs are taken. The relationship indicates a greater premium for size than iscurrently assumed in generalised price: size curves. It impliesthat, firstly, rotations should be extended by between 5 and15 years beyond the rotation of optimum discounted revenue basedon the generalised curves, and secondly, heavier thinning regimesshould where feasible be followed in order to accelerate thediameter growth of main-crop trees.     

British forestry: 70 years of achievement

After a brief review of changes in major demands for wood before1900, data for the woodland area in Great Britain at intervalsthrough the present century are tabulated. Tables show how thetargets for productive woodland area set in 1915 and renewedin 1943 have been achieved. The main increase in gross woodlandarea occurred after 1945. The state forest service for Great Britain, the Forestry Commission,wasformed in 1919; as a result of its vigorous land acquisitionand afforestation policy, at 31.3.96, it owned or leased 35per cent of the British woodland area. Government support for private forestry has been through grantsboth for rehabilitating felled woodland and extending areasplanted; grants have been paid mostly through the Forestry Commission. The most recent Government policy statements on forestry lookto further substantial increases in the woodland of Britain,reflecting the influence both of membership of the EuropeanCommunity and cognisance of global environmental and resourceneeds.