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A time of transition

A message from the Chief Executive

As some of you will know, this year has been difficult for The National Forest, because we have not been able to run the Tender Scheme. For the last 12 years, the Scheme has been the main way by which landowners have helped create the Forest. We have recently been helping to plant about 1,000 acres a year - a remarkable achievement. Changes in the Rural Development Programme for England mean that we will not be able to operate the Tender Scheme in the future in the way we have till now. We therefore closed the Scheme in winter 2006. We are now busy developing a new and alternative scheme and our proposal, for the Changing Landscape Scheme, is being assessed in Europe. Subject to approval, we hope to launch the new scheme in early 2008, in time for planting later in the year. Like the Tender Scheme, it will make it possible for a wide range of landowners to create wooded and non wooded habitats on a large scale. We wish of course that we were still able to run the Tender Scheme, but we must now focus on setting up something that will work into the future. Meanwhile, you can still plant trees with us this year, through the schemes listed overleaf. I hope you will take these opportunities. Woodland creation is always worthwhile, enjoyable and a long term benefit for both current and future generations. I would also like to take this oppportunity to tell you that Hugh Williams is taking a new job with Forest Research. It’s a well deserved promotion to a national role - we all wish him well. We will be looking to recruit a successor soon. Thank you for being part of The National Forest. We will let you have any news as soon as we have it and if you want to follow up on anything in this edition of Landfile please contact us.

Creating the forest in 2007

Get ahead, get a hedge

Do you have a hedge that needs gapping up, a field boundary that needs a new hedge? Would you like to plant a small orchard or create a parkland? If you do then the NFC can provide up to half of the cost of the scheme. Contact us for further information.

Making woods work

New to the National Forest website is ‘Making Woods Work’ a comprehensive interactive listing of who can do what in the Forest. So, if you are looking for someone to put up some fencing, manage your woods, fell and sell your trees, or from whom you can buy firewood, wooden posts, planked timber, fine furniture or willow baskets, this is the place to look.

For more information log on to www.nationalforest.org/about_us/woodland

The 500-2000 tree scheme

Have you ever wanted a small woodland but do not have the time to plan or plant it? If so, the National Forest Company (NFC) can help you. We can visit you and help design your woodland. You choose the woodland that you want, the types of trees and where they are to be planted. We will then organise the rest. We will arrange to have it planted and maintained for eighteen months. All you have to do is contact us. The tree planting season starts in mid November (weather permitting!) so contact us soon.

To be eligible, a few simple requirements must be met:

The land must be in The National Forest
The planting mustbe completed by 31 March 2008
The planting should involve the planting of between 500-2000 trees
The planting must be voluntary (not a condition of planning, etc)

One acre woods

Due to the continued success of the ‘One Acre Woods’ scheme, it has been extended for a further year. The NFC provides up to 420 broadleaved trees (with canes and guards) absolutely free. The trees are then planted and maintained by the landowner.

To be eligible, a few simple requirements must be met:

The land must be in The National Forest
The planting must be started by 31 March 2008
The total area should be around 1 acre (0.40 hectare)

The new National Forest Youth Hostel

Located in the heart of the Forest, this exciting building uses timber extensively in its construction and is heated by a wood chip fuelled boiler. The Youth Hostel will be an important contribution to the development of tourism and Forest based businesses, adding to the existing network of over 200 locations providing high quality accommodation in the Forest. The 85kW wood heat facility, sufficient to heat 25 bedrooms, an office, kitchen, dining area and games room, will be supplied from local woodlands by a local Forest based firm.

Wanted: Land for sale

The NFC owns very little land in the Forest. However the NFC does purchase land. The NFC can offer potential sellers a market price for their land, full confidentiality and an ability to buy land over an agreed timescale and with due regard to existing crops, tenancy agreements, etc. If you are thinking about what to do with some land or have land for sale, please contact the NFC in full confidence and without obligation.