Forestry in Angus

 
Forestry within Angus and throughout Scotland makes a significant contribution to Scotland's economy through jobs in the wood processing industry, forest management, wood haulage and associated industries.

Useful websites for Forestry information; The Forest Industries Development Council (www.fidc.org.uk). FIDC is an umbrella body for the industries. The Forestry Commission (www.forestry.gov.uk). For general and statistical information. The Forestry Contracting Association (www.fcauk.com) represents the interests of forestry contractors. The Forestry and Timber Association (www.forestryandtimber.org) represents the interests of forest owners and managers. The Institute of Chartered Foresters (www.charteredforesters.org) is the professional body for foresters and arborists in the UK. The Royal Scottish Forestry Society Institute of Chartered Foresters (www.rsfs.org) is Scotland's oldest forestry organisation. The Timber Trade Federation (www.ttf.co.uk) represents timber importers, sawmillers, timber merchants, timber agents, builders'merchants and others who supply timber and wood products within Scotland. The Scottish Timber Trade Association.(www.stta.org.uk) is its Scottish arm. The United Kingdom Forest Products Association (www.ukfpa.co.uk) represents the technical and commercial interests of the UK forest products industry.

The forest industries are networks of interdependent businesses. They include the forest owners and managers who produce wood, while creating wildlife habitats and providing recreation facilities in their forests. They also include the forest nurseries, where young trees are grown from seed, the contractors who harvest the wood, and the hauliers who transport it.

In addition, there are the businesses that process the wood that is grown in Angus, producing timber and wood panels for sale to builders, joiners and DIY enthusiasts.

There are the companies that import wood or wood products such as pulp, to make items such as paper or furniture. See our Business Directory for local company listings.

 

History

The development of Scotland's wood-processing industries really took off in the 1980s. This was when the Scottish forests created during the middle part of the 20th century began producing significant volumes of softwood. This production increase stimulated massive investment, averaging £60 million per year, to create today's modern industries. As newer forests mature, the wood harvest will continue to grow, approaching 10 million m3 per year by 2020.

The environmental assets and resources of Angus have long been recognised as important in both local and national terms. The area is essentially rural in nature from diverse landscape ranges to the remote upland areas of the Glens.

Angus has a rich and varied biodiversity that is reflected in the concentration of forestry throughout the area; a resource for the development of hardwood timber. 
 

Angus Millennium Forest

In the years leading up to the millennium, Angus Millennium Forest was pioneered to restore native woodland cover in and around the Burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Monifieth, Montrose and Carnoustie along with the village of Newtyle.

Not only is the forest an attractive addition to these areas, it is providing an invaluable resource for nature conservation, recreation and education. The 54 new woodlands, covering 92 hectares, are a mixture of existing and newly planted / restored woodland. Most of the trees were planted in the years 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Around 189,000 trees including oak, hazel, willow, birch, rowan, aspen, ash and gean have been planted, and the restructuring and management of existing woodland will provide a better selection of wildlife habitats.

The woodlands are complemented by existing and recently created semi-natural habitats such as hedges, wildflower meadows, riverbanks, burns and disused railway lines, creating valuable wildlife corridors into urban area. 

The Angus and Dundee Structure Plan aims for the sustainable management of the areas environmental resources are to: protect and enhance the natural environment in Angus in ways which respect landscape character, promote biodiversity conservation, and enable public enjoyment and understanding; conserve the heritage value of the built and historic environment and enhance environmental quality in and around the main settlements of the area; encourage the sustainable use of the area's natural resources and provide a framework for managing the impact of development that supports the economic viability of rural areas; and provide a framework for renewable energy development and waste management.

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