On:
In: news, policy

A filmed interview for a BBC TV Newsnight programme – part of a featured debate on the Government’s plans to dispose of the public forest estate in England. Listen to my full interview.Continue Reading

On:
In: comment, policy

Does private ownership equate to private forests? Would an increase in the number of forests in private ownership, as a result of the public forest estate disposal, necessarily lead to less public access and loss of other public benefits? I examine some interesting evidence.Continue Reading

message on an Ash coppice stool

On:
In: ash, comment, policy

It was an ancient Ash coppice stool; carpeted in green moss, fantastically gnarled and partly hollow. ” This was one our best loved trees. We are sad that you have cut it down?” Bad management or poor communication?Continue Reading

On:
In: comment

The recent Inquiry on Forestry contains multiple references to the proposed sell-off the the public forest estate in England but has gone largely unnoticed. It also contains interesting insights as to the future direction of forestry policy under the coalition Government.Continue Reading

On:
In: science

What are the top ten most important priorities facing trees in the 21st Century? Policy is traditionally led by civil servants with the agenda of delivering Government policies.  However, these may not always reflect the views and the vision of the experts and practitioners amongst an industry.  They may alsoContinue Reading

On:
In: comment

Forestry is in the news this week; a rare-enough event in the British media.   An apparent Government leak suggests that the Forestry Commission will be forced to sell off much of the private estate in England (probably not Wales and definately not Scotland).  There could be benefits and of courseContinue Reading