May 30, 2022

Future Trees Trust Supporter Day Surprise

Vastern Timber doubled its donation to the Future Trees Trust. The surprise announcement was made by MD Tom Barnes at Future Trees Trust Supporters Day, held at Vastern Timber last week. The increased support was welcomed by FTT head of research Dr Jo Clark.

Dr Jo Clark welcomes the increased funding for the FTT

The Future Trees Trust is the UK’s only charity dedicated to using research to secure the future of broadleaved trees. Supporters including representatives of DEFRA, Woodland Heritage, Confor, Forestry England, Royal Forestry Society and Patsy Wood Trust joined journalists and researchers for updates on the FTT’s recent work.

Dr Jo Clark presented a summary of the Living Ash project, and oak and sycamore progeny trials. Dr Joe Beesley updated on the latest progeny trial results and budburst data. And John Leigh Pemberton, discussing chestnut coppice, revealed it is ‘essentially immortal.’ 

Jez Ralph, of Timber Strategies spoke about the future of forestry and scope for improvement. Vastern Timber MD Tom Barnes talked about timber from a sawmiller’s perspective. There was an introduction to ‘Brimstone,’ British timber that’s thermally modified for stability and durability.

The talks were followed by a surprise announcement of increased funding from Vastern Timber to the FTT, from £5000 to £10,000 this year. This additional support is from Vastern Timber’s “Woodland Tax,” a pledge to donate 1% of revenue to projects that help local woodlands thrive. Tom said the work of the Future Trees Trust was vital to secure the future of British woodlands and all they provide, as well as vital for our timber industry.

Later that day, Future Trees Trust supporters and guests enjoyed a tour of the Brimstone production plant, and Vastern Timber sawmills. They explored the thermal modification plant and test samples of Brimstone, they toured the sawmills, the woodstacks and log piles. Many visitors took selfies with some of our biggest oak butts, and the tour concluded with a visit to the saw doctor.