Woodlands need to produce high-quality timber

I READ Sue Holden’s article on protecting our woodlands (Yorkshire Post, May 25) and agreed with her comments of increasing and extending the woodlands across the country.

However, there was one word missing from her deliberation on the important aspects of our woodlands – management – for the production of high-quality timber. The combination of the benefits of woodlands for conservation, recreation and enhancing the landscape are essential. Yet, so often, there is the lack of producing high-grade timber from various species.

This is no way detrimental to the other values of woodlands and should be an inbuilt principle of the woodland’s life.

The right species on the right sites and soil type with a continuous plan to ensure that a number of trees from various species are cared for and managed to grow into quality stems – ash, oak, sycamore, beech, lime, sweet chestnut, etc.

These will in the future supply the manufacturing and construction industries and be a valuable asset, both to Woodland Trust, other owners and the country at large.

This will in no way affect the wildlife, other flora and minor species. Understoreys and shrub layers are essential and can still be part of the multi-purpose system of management. So do not let “production” be put on the back burner, rather let it be a primary and integral part of the long-term management.

There has always been, and will be, a demand for high quality timber and as part of the woodland systems mentioned will ensure over time uneven aged and uneven height in woodlands which are an essential part of a continuous woodland development across future generations.