Future Forester, Patsy Wood Scholarship Year 2

Patsy Wood Scholarship – Year 2 spring update  

A post by Peter Borrowman, Assistant Forest Manager and Patsy Wood Scholar supported by the Patsy Wood Trust, Future Trees Trust and The Royal Forestry Society RFS, in partnership with Forestry Consultant William Hamer.

Having entered my 2nd year of the Patsy Wood Scholarship, I find myself ever-more grateful for my previous years’ experience in helping to undertake an increasing range of tasks. Indeed, we find ourselves as busy as ever, including rushing to complete the last of the planting (of which there has been plenty!), annual programme meetings, overseeing felling operations and a new cycle of Countryside Stewardship applications.  

One of my primary focus points during this last winter and current spring has been to organise and oversee a range of planting schemes, including restocking after group fells, underplanting, beat ups and two woodland creation schemes funded by the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). Whilst there remain a few sites to finish off, we are almost there! I have found this to be a difficult yet rewarding task, with William Hamer stating that this is by far the most he has ever planted in a season over the past 30 years! Fortunately, the weather has been far kinder this year in comparison to the spring droughts experienced in 2022, with plenty of rain to keep the ground moist. Moreover, we have made every effort to obtain improved seed material where possible, including those from a local select oak seed stand, as mentioned in my previous blog. As well as providing greater long-term timber, such seed material from a local provenance is also more adaptable and resilient in the face of changing climatic conditions.  

Tree Planting and Skills Shortage 

William and I also did some planting ourselves in a small group fell area. After all, if you can’t do it yourself, then you shouldn’t be telling others how to!  

One of the barriers I have come up against most in planting, and similar to other facets of the industry, is a shortage of available contractors. With one of William’s planting stalwarts having retired, a decision was taken in some scenarios to employ those with lesser experience, but in a younger age bracket. We accepted that we may be required to provide additional time and resources into shaping the layout of planting sites, but with a hope that additional early training would result in an increase in contractors, with age on their side, being present within the industry in the years to come. Perhaps this is something that others in the industry may be willing to commit to as one solution to combat the well noted skills shortage within the forestry sector.  

Forestry Management Plans 

We have also been having several meetings with clients with regards to implementing a forestry programme for the year ahead. These generally relate to following the objectives set by the management plan, discussing which areas are due for operations including felling, thinning, coppicing and ride management to name but a few. Once decided, we will then mark the chosen area, putting paint spots on the trees to be felled. Some would state that this isn’t a necessity. However, I believe marking to be invaluable, allowing a chance to really see the woodland, visualising and constructing its future trajectory. Moreover, it allows us as woodland managers to remove the poorer trees, those which are forked or crooked in order to provide additional light and resources to those of better quality and form, thus enhancing the future timber crop. I do, however accept that in larger areas sample marking may be more feasible. Having undertaken such pre-operational tasks including marking and risk assessments, we will then have a meeting with the chosen contractor to discuss through the requirements in terms of timber specs, access and stacking areas.  

We now find ourselves again in the midst of another series of Countryside Stewardship applications for 2024. These can be rather taxing with several excel sheets to complete alongside a series of maps! Nonetheless, funding towards several of the ‘uneconomic’ yet invaluable operations mentioned such as coppicing, ride management and deer and squirrel control remains invaluable to improving the short and long-term health of our woodlands. To this end, I have also been communicating with those undertaking the deer and squirrel control, discussing management plans, cull records and targets and high seat requirements.  

Training and Events 

I have again been blessed with the opportunity to take part in further training opportunities over the past few months. One such opportunity was to shadow a tree risk survey at a local primary school. It was really useful in understanding the potential risks of trees to public safety and how to identify, monitor and deal with such threats accordingly. I have also had further training on identifying and assessing the extent of deer and squirrel pressure within woodland, whilst also attending a presentation on the importance of health and safety in the forestry workplace.  

I was also recently kindly invited to attend a young professional’s network meeting for the South-East of England. This was organised by the Forestry Commission and involved both the public and private sector. It was a great afternoon, involving initial introductions, and a tour from the well renown Julian Evans around his 30-acre wood in Hampshire. It was fantastic to form connections with other young professionals in the industry and discuss share our own ideas of what further steps can be taken to spread the word of forestry as a worthwhile career option through the younger age groups.  

Future Forester 

Looking ahead for this coming year, I am hugely excited by what’s ahead. It’s promises to be a busy, but fulfilling time. I plan to utilise and build upon my previous years’ experience to help in achieving my long-term goal of becoming a fully-fledged forest manager. Alongside all of the day-to-day forestry tasks, I am also looking forward to lots of Royal Forestry Society, Institute of Chartered Foresters and other training events to cement my practical knowledge. After all, we are always learning in the forestry sector!