Forestry & Woodland Management Flashcards
What is a deciduous tree?
A tree that drops its leaves
What is a coniferous tree?
A cone bearing tree with pines as a pose to leaves.
How would you identify an Oak tree?
The leaf would have 5 or 6 rounded lobes
ACORNS
What tree species bears conkers?
Horse Chestnut
Name some broadleaves native to the UK.
- Oak
- Birch
- Ash
- Hazel
What are the main conifers planted in Scotland?
- Sitka Spruce
- Scots Pine
Main uses of Scots Pine?
- Building
- Furniture
- Chipboard
it is one of the strongest softwoods available!!!!!!!
What is the life cycle of an Oak?
900 - 1,000 years
300 growing
300 living
300 dying
Generic life cycle of a tree?
- Preparation
- Planting
- Felling
- Thinning
Lifecylce assessment of a Sitka Spruce.
Year 0 = site prep
Year 1 - 15 = site maintenance
Year 20 - 35 = first and subsequent thinning
Year 39 - 41 = Final clear-fell
What is a retention tree?
Trees left to live in a clear-fell site, biodiversity being the main reason for leaving.
You say you are familiar with the Scottish Governments tree planting goals. What are these?
From 2024/25 onward the SG want to plant 18,000ha/year
Have they being beating their goals to date?
No
2023/24: 16,500ha (15,000ha actual)
2022/23: 15,000ha (8,190ha actual)
2021/22: 13,500ha (10,480ha actual)
What is the Forestry Grant Scheme?
A scheme offering financial support for the creation of new woodland and the careful and sustainable management of existing woodland.
Why do you think the SG has not been reaching their woodland creation goals?
- Over ambitious
- Lack of participation
- Not enough incentive through schemes such as FGS
- Budget cuts - Scottish Forestry’s budget has been cut by some £30m for 2024/25
What was the application process for the native woodland creation at Floors?
- Submit an application to FGS detailing the proposed planting scheme (native broadleaves in this case) and the suitability of the site.
What payments do you receive for the site?
Two trances of payment:
- Capital - covering cost of creation
- Annual maintenance - payment made for the first 5-years of the scheme to help cover maintenance costs
Can you tell me what the payment rates were?
Yes:
£1,840/ha: creation
£272/ha: maintenance
What was the size of the site?
The size was split over 12 different compartments, in total they equated to 16.2ha.
How do you receive the payments?
A capital claim is submitted for the capital items
The maintenance is paid with your SAF.
Where might you receive a higher £/ha payment rate?
If the area to be planted sits within a ‘target zone’
Give an example of a target zone?
A Riparian site, due to its ability to deliver multiple benefits, such as:
- water quality
- water temperature
- help flood management
What were the suitable species you planted?
Predominantly a mix of Alder & Birch
Why do you mound prior to planting?
- drier climate
- warmer root temperature
- Lower competition
- disease resistance
