Archive: November 2022
The big reveal: we explain the annual gamble of sawing oak logs
November 10, 2022
After a year of accumulating an impressive stack of oak ‘butts’ (no sniggering), the saws are sharp, the weather has cooled and we’re ready to start sawing some absolutely amazing oak logs. This is one of our favourite times of the year, but the sawing season can also be a bit of a lottery. Because, as Forrest Gump said: “y...
Sycamore success stories at Future Trees Trust
November 8, 2022
Since 2019 Vastern Timber has supported the Future Trees Trust in their work to help future forests thrive. The FTT is the only UK charity working to improve broadleaved trees by conventional selective breeding. Their researchers work to ensure that the next generation of broadleaved trees will deliver all the environmental, social and ec...
Is England suffering from deforestation?
October 11, 2022
Despite headline-hitting pledges to oversee a massive expansion of our woodlands to help combat climate change, progress in England has been incremental and there is growing evidence that we are losing trees quicker than they are being replaced. Deforestation? In England? You’d be forgiven for thinking that deforestation can’t be a ...
Paradise Wood mapping project
October 7, 2022
See the 1% Woodland Tax in action at Paradise Wood, Oxfordshire One percent of our turnover is used for projects that help woodland thrive. We call it our 1% Woodland Tax. Recently, our MD Tom visited Paradise Wood in Oxfordshire to see how the Woodland tax is being put into action on a unique project. Paradise Wood is owned by Eart...
Wood Back Stories: Beautiful oak and ash from Longleat Forest
September 13, 2022
Where’s this wood from? These amazing logs are from Longleat Forest, in Wiltshire. Longleat has over 4000 acres of commercial continuous cover forestry. This incredible place is a large, ancient, broadleaved woodland with a high forest structure (including tall, mature trees), which is unique to the South West of Britain. [cap...
Why we need a UK Timber Strategy – our submission to the EAC
September 8, 2022
If we want home-grown timber in 40-years’ time, then we really must plan for it now. There is an urgent need for a National Timber Strategy, and we may have a chance to help shape it. The Environmental Audit Committee called for evidence for their inquiry into the UK timber industry and global deforestation. [UPDATE - In July 20...
Timber innovation: Rooted Landscapes investigates broadleaf glulam construction.
August 11, 2022
We were delighted to donate timber to Connie Beuchamp, a student who is completing her Masters in Architecture at the University of Arts London. Connie’s ‘Rooted Landscapes’ project explores topics that are very close to our own hearts. We asked her to tell us more about the project: I am an architectural designer and material re...
Community forestry film supported by the 1% Woodland Tax
July 28, 2022
Thinking deeper on community forestry: A new film supported by the 1% Woodland Tax A new film on community forestry has received a grant from the '1% Woodland Tax,' a fund from Vastern Timber to help forests thrive. Filmmaker Alice Carfrae has been commissioned by Timber Strategies to make a documentary film that explores what communi...
Wood Back Stories: Larch from Hen’s Wood
July 6, 2022
Beautiful British-grown larch logs from Hen’s Wood Where’s this wood from? These exceptional larch logs are from Hen’s Wood, a privately owned woodland on the North Eastern edge of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire. The woodland is home to mixed broadleaf trees and areas of productive conifers such as Douglas fir and larch....
Apply for funding to help British woodlands
June 22, 2022
Is your organisation striving to protect, improve or expand British Woodlands? If you’re nodding enthusiastically, you could apply for one of our grants. How does it work? We’ve recently created our 1% woodland tax. A pledge to donate 1% of our annual turnover to help keep local woodlands thriving. We’re usin...
