2017-03-21 |
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MSP Braves Wind and Rain to Witness Planting 1 Million Trees
John Lamont MSP visited Larriston Farm in the Scottish Borders to witness the planting of over 1 million trees as part of a major new productive forest.
Also in attendance was Hamish Macleod of BSW
Timber who explained
the importance of the investment to local industry. He said:
“BSW
Timber is the UK’s leading sawmiller. A Scottish-based family
business, we employ over 1,200 people. We need new forests
like this to ensure a sustainable supply of timber for future
generations.
“As a company, we are working to seek opportunities for better support and understanding for forestry in the wider land use context post Brexit and look forward to a thriving forestry and timber sector.”
Hamish Macleod of BSW; Jason Sinden of Tilhill Forestry; John Lamont MSP; Eddie Addis of Tilhill Forestry and contractor Simon Richardson.
John Lamont MSP added:
“I was delighted to pay a visit to the
Tilhill Forestry managed Larriston
site in Liddesdale. Forestry
is an important contributor to the local economy in the Borders
and parent company BSW Timber, based in the Borders, is a major
employer.
“It was really useful to hear a bit more about the whole process from forest to timber products and to hear a bit about BSW’s plans for the future. I know that many businesses in the Borders, particularly those who either trade overseas or compete with imports, are facing a challenging time in light of Brexit and the possibility of a second independence referendum. Businesses have had to deal with uncertain times recently and politicians of all parties need to do all they can to help the economy return to stability as soon as possible.”
The site is being planted by Tilhill Forestry and Investment and
Property Director Jason
Sinden explained the economics:
“This type of ground was traditionally
used for raising tough breeds of sheep, such as Blackface and Cheviot.
However, in recent years, there has been a shift in production
systems and we are now finding that many sheep farmers are raising
their sheep on the lower ground. Because of this, increasing amounts
of hill ground are becoming available for forestry.”
“We can grow very high yields of timber on this type of ground and supply the timber processing mills throughout the region. When you work out the figures, it is a very attractive investment and, according to independent studies, it creates more jobs than alternative agricultural systems.”
Tilhill District Manager Eddie Addis, who is responsible for implementing
the project, said:
“A huge amount of effort goes into the design
and implementation of new forests such as this. As well as wildlife,
we have taken great care to protect archaeology and the woodland
is designed to help manage the whole water catchment. You can’t
hide a forest of this scale, but it has been carefully designed
to fit-in with the landscape.”
The ground preparation is being carried out by contractor Simon Richardson, who has developed a range of purpose-built machines to cope with different soil conditions and slopes.
Tilhill Forestry Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BSW Timber Group, was established nearly 70 years ago. It is a national company operating from a network of offices throughout the UK. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to the forest owner and forestry investor.
BSW is the most technologically advanced sawmill in the UK employing over 1,200 people. The Company’s roots date back to 1848, and with seven sawmills in the UK and one in Latvia, has a production capacity of more than 1.2 million m3 of sawn timber which is distributed throughout construction, fencing and landscape markets.
Together, BSW and Tilhill Forestry form a strong partnership in the forest industry that will deliver quality from beginning to end - from creating new forests through to producing timber end products.
