Calendar

Ballytrim Sawmills and Estate. Hosted by the Cunningham family, we will visit the sawmill and discuss afforestation and Estate management. Visit to include Divisional AGM.

Led by John Sweeny (Sawmills Coordinator, Woodknowledge Wales), this tour will provide an opportunity to see homegrown timber used in all aspects of timber construction.

The tour will look at various timber related businesses in Southern and Central Scotland.
•    James Jones and Sons Sawmill, Lockerbie
•    Alexander’s Timber Design, Irvine
•    Scottish Wood, Dunfermline
•    Caledonia Timber, Melrose
•    Abbey Timber, Duns
•    Realwood Studio, Jedburgh
•    Tim Stead Trust, Blainslie (TBC)

The tour is aimed at smaller scale sawmills, timber framers, architects and foresters, though anyone is welcome.

Trevague and Trebartha - Patrick Latham (Lewannick). AM: 12 ha of 25-year-old farm woodland at Trevague. PM: Woodland gardens and Champion Trees at Trebartha.

Pembrey Sands.Hosted by Natural Resources Wales, we will look at the management of sand dune woodland and associated pests and pathogens.

Dr Alexandra Ash, Behavioural Ecologist at Forest Research, will be giving an overview of her CFP-funded PhD research into the drivers of bark-stripping behaviour in invasive grey squirrels. Her work explored how a better understanding of this behaviour can inform targeted, effective, and efficient management of grey squirrels in British woodlands.

Alex is also the lead author on ‘Understanding Why Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) Bark Strip in British Woodlands: A Systematic Map’, which was published in peer-reviewed journal Mammal Review in March 2026.

Dr Cally Ham, Senior Mammal Ecologist at Forest Research, will also provide a short update on the ongoing CFP project ‘Understanding grey squirrel bark stripping’. There will be time for a short Q&A.

Lake District National Park Authority, Haverthwaite Heights. We will look at temperate rainforest and ASNW assessment, invasive non-native species and access issues. To include Divisional AGM.

Fritha West, Research Fellow at Defra, will be giving an overview of her CFP-funded PhD research which focuses on the ecological and cultural restoration of elm in Britain. There will be time for a short Q&A.

Fritha is also the lead author on ‘Social and cultural considerations for the restoration of ‘lost’ tree species: The fall and rise of elm’, which was published in peer-reviewed journal People and Nature in December 2025.

Timber 101 from Woodknowledge Wales with Filros Timber Consultancy is for built environment and forestry professionals, procurement teams, housing developers, designers, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of timber as a construction material.

This first session sets the scene for the rest of the series and is recommended for all attendees.

We will focus on what needs to be considered to accurately specify timber and explains why this is vital for balancing performance, cost, and sustainability. Attendees will be taught how to identify appropriate species, implement grading standards, and comprehend the concept of ‘quality’ as it applies to timber.

We will cover:
• How to specify timber for different applications
• Species selection and nomenclature
• Types of grading and when to grade
• Use classes and movement
• Durability and protection
• Clarifying quality terminology and avoiding confusion

Hardcastle Crags and Gibson Mill, Hebden Bridge. Hosted by The National Trust, with its mixed woodlands and watercourses reflecting West Yorkshire’s industrial past, we'll see woodland restructuring, debris dams and the heritage of Calderdale.

Ragley Estate, Alcester. We will enjoy a guided tour of this historic Estate and current home of the Association of Professional Foresters (APF).

Haldon Forest - Forestry England. Managing recreation around ecology and forestry operations and CCF versus clear fell. To include Divisional AGM.

Timber 101 is a free CPD-friendly series from Woodknowledge Wales, tailored for professionals across the built environment, procurement teams, housing developers, designers, and anyone aiming to expand their knowledge of timber as a contemporary construction material.

This session focuses on the biological foundation of timber and how the growth processes of trees impact its structure and characteristics.

We will explore:
• The difference between softwoods and hardwoods
• How tree growth habits affect timber characteristics
• The naming of trees and timber – and the confusion this can cause
• Common commercial species used in the UK and Europe
• Opportunities and limitations of home-grown timber

This session will help attendees understand the link between forest and final product – and the importance of choosing the right species for the right job.

Brook Farm and Bryn Arw.A joint visit with Herefordshire Division. The morning visit to Brook Farm will look at commercial woodland creation. In the afternoon, we will visit Bryn Arw to compare this with community-led projects.