NEW FOREST TODAY MAGAZINE

Harvesting oak for a better future

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the Forestry Commission's foresters thin, fell and re-plant

The Forestry Commission's foresters thin, fell and re-plant

The New Forest is home to many different hardwood tree species, ranging from the common English oak, ash and beech to more exotic species such as sweet chestnut.

These trees are an integral part of the forest, providing a variety of habitats for animals, insects and plant species. To ensure a continued supply of sustainably sourced timber, the trees are harvested and replanted in cycles and that is where the Forestry Commission’s expertise comes into play.
All year round, the Forestry Commission’s foresters maintain programmes of thinning, felling and re-planting. In the autumn and winter months, work starts on the oak trees.

At the start of the 20th century, oak timber was traditionally used for shipbuilding but we now have wider uses for it, such as house building. The selling and buying of this desirable hardwood typically takes place in the winter months, so the harvesting process will begin in the early autumn.

Selling timber remains a large part of the Forestry Commission’s business, with some of the income that is generated ploughed back into land management; protecting wildlife, providing healthy recreation and producing more renewable materials. Often the New Forest timber is also bought locally.