Types of forestry operations

Forestry operations fall into two main categories:

• establishment of a new woodland
• harvesting or felling of trees to be used as timber products or energy production

Within these categories, different types of operations may be undertaken. These help to aid the successful establishment or management of the woodland. 

This is the physical preparation of the ground to allow for trees to be planted.

It could be basic hand planting with a spade, or the commonly used process of mechanical mounding. The latter uses a machine to create a clear planting position to ensure that when the tree is growing, weed competition is reduced.

Works might involve a self-propelled machine, such as an excavator or a towed device. These positions are often called mounds, as they are often raised. A excavator is usually used on restock sites(where trees are being replanted after harvesting). As well as making mounds, they might rake brash(waste material, such as branches). This helps make the site easier to access for planting and if made into rows, protects trees from the wind. This waste material breaks down over time, fertilising the trees as they grow.

Sites might also be adapted to create wetter or drier habitats for different trees. This is usually achieved through the variation of drainage.

The UKFS promotes the avoidance of high impact forestry practices. This includes intensive ground preparation. It instead requires operations to be carried out in a way that minimises soil disturbance. This minimises carbon loss from soils, whilst allowing trees to successfully establish.

As the title suggests, this is the construction of fences around a planted site.

This isn't to keep people out as the site should remain accessible via gates or stiles. Instead it is there to protect the trees from browsing mammals eating the trees.

The fence will either be low to keep farm animals out or high to protect trees from deer. Additional netting might be added to stop rabbits or hares getting to the trees.

The UKFS sets out that fencing should be designed in a way that avoids major impacts on access, wildlife, landscape and archaeology. It also mentions fencing as a manufactured product that should be managed appropriately when it no longer serves a function.

This is the physical planting of trees on a site. 

Trees of different species are grown at a forestry nursery and taken to a site to plant. They might different sizes, depending on what the site needs. For example, tall trees if there are weeds or short if it's prone to strong winds. Stock either comes as bare-root trees, or cell grown - these are trees that come with soil, like you might get in a garden centre.

Trees are planted at different densities, depending on their purpose. Productive trees are usually grown closer together so they grow tall and straight. Native trees are planted further apart to allow for greater biodiversity. Native trees have to be produced from seeds that are sourced locally. Broadleaf trees may be planted in tubes, these are to stop deer or voles damaging trees as the grow.

The use of machines to plant trees is becoming more common, but most planting is manual.

The UKFS requires forest managers to plant species that are appropriate to the climate and soils on site. It encourages a broad mix of species, including locally sourced native trees. The affect blocks of trees have on the landscape and environment should also be planned accordingly.

Trees may need additional help to successfully establish. We always check that any proposal to plant trees in a particular place matches the soils and climate found on site.

Methods might take the form of adding fertiliser to the ground. Cell grown trees might come with fertiliser pellets added, or granular or liquid form might be added when trees are planted.

Competition from weeds can also affect tree growth. Most planting techniques clear an area of ground around the newly planted tree to reduce competition. But over time weeds will encroach on a tree, competing against it for light and nutrients.

To help a tree establish, weeding techniques are used to reduce this competition. This might use manual methods (weeding with tools or machines) or the accurate application of chemicals.

The UKFS identifies that artificial herbicides and fertilisers should only be used as a last resort. There are specific laws governing the use of such substances. They should only be used when absolutely required and under the strictest of controls. This ensures that the use of such substances minimises any risk to persons or the environment.

Different techniques are used to control pests on woodland sites. This includes the construction of fences or addition of tree tubes to control mammal damage. Deer and other wildlife management is also carried out using trained professionals to control numbers.

Trees can also be damaged by insects. Different products can be applied before and after planting to control this.

There are strict controls around the use of pesticides and pest control in UK law. This is further highlighted under UKFS, where pesticides are subject to the same controls as herbicides, with use kept to a minimum.

The management of deer is also considered. Controls may include developing a deer management plan. This would aid in reducing environmental and economic damage. The plan would have to be applied at a landscape scale. Neighbouring landowners and stakeholders need to be engaged to agree on controls.

Access to a forest is important to allow for active management. Forest roads provide access for the creation and management operations required in a forest including:

• machinery
• deliveries such as trees or fencing
• timber lorries to remove felled timber

Tracks may be placed across a site for ongoing access for management. These tracks are usually only accessible for 4x4s or All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Quarries might also be developed within a forest. This allows access to stone on site for road building, avoiding the need to import materials from elsewhere.

Roads and tracks should only be developed where absolutely necessary for forestry purposes. Developments over a certain size or in sensitive areas require environmental assessments. This looks at the effects road and accompanying features, such as drains, have on the environment.

Some roads may require a form of planning permission from the local authority. This would apply to roads built in a forest to serve infrastructure, such as windfarms. But is also needed at points where forest roads meet the public road network.

Public roads suitability for timber lorries are assessed through the timber transport scheme. Access during operations may need to be agreed with the local authority.

As well as forest access for operations, forest roads are often utilised by the public for recreation. Retaining access must be taken into consideration during operations.

The UKFS states that roads and quarries should be designed to reduce adverse effects from visual impact. Consideration should also be taken to minimise risk of erosion and avoid adverse impacts on soils and water.

Many of Scotland's forests are commercial. These are stands of trees that are planted and managed to be harvested as a commercial crop. You can use the website to find out more about what to expect with tree felling and forestry business and industry.

The UKFS expects harvesting to be undertaken in a way that minimises adverse effects to the environment and the safety of forest users. Operations must be planned in a way that mitigates any potential risks. We only approve a felling application when any relevant concerns are suitably addressed.

There are different legal requirements around the use of machines and buffer zones apply. These must be applied around any features that require protection. These include historic sites, areas containing wildlife and habitats or watercourses.
 

There are certain operations within forestry which might reduce or remove trees permanently.

There is a general presumption against tree removal in Scotland. This is covered in the Scottish Governments Control of Woodland Removal Policy. We assess proposals to permanently remove woodland and will only approve plans where environmental benefits are suitably demonstrated.

Such operations might be the restoration of peatland, which involves the removal of trees and deep peat sites restored. Commercial tree species might also be removed from areas to restore native woodland. Examples of this could be ancient woodland sites or within Scotland's rainforest areas.

The UKFS gives more detail into legal and best practice requirements. It is the standard we assess all applications to and ensures we fulfil our commitment to promote sustainable forest management.