Tom Coates

Thanks for your constructive comment. I agree that non-native conifer forests support less biodiversity compared to native forests. I disagree with your opinion that they decimate habitats. They actually provide habitat to many species.

Having spent the day in forests of the Scottish Borders that provide habitat for Red squirrels, badgers, pine marten, goshawks, cross bills, buzzards, various different fungi and other biodiversity, I would wholeheartedly disagree.

Bookings are now open for our Wales Member Network Centenary Conference: Forestry at 100 – A Century of Growth, A Future of Possibility.

🗓️ 6 Nov 📍Bangor University

View the programme and secure a ticket - places are limited ⬇️

charteredforesters.org/event/wales-...

New campaign aims to champion British-grown C16 timber Traditionally, assumptions have been that imported C24 timber is always the stronger or more suitable choice.

Good to see this new campaign that champions British-grown C16 timber. Too often people are unnecessarily choosing to buy C24 which is almost certainly will have been imported.
www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/2551362...

YouTube video by Forester Asks Questions How do foresters manage estate woodlands? | Forester Asks Questions

Estate #woodlands are full of challenges. Traditional #landuse with contemporary demands.

@theicf.bsky.social Chartered Foresters are well equipped to deal with these challenges. @lwhemmings.bsky.social

How do foresters manage estate woodlands? | Forester Asks Questions
youtu.be/w5tHag2r67Y

Wild bird populations in the UK and England, 1970 to 2024

I’ve said on multiple occasions that some of the marketing that Woodland Trust put out portrays forestry terribly. @wtscotsocial.bsky.social - check out this DEFRA report: www.gov.uk/government/s...

Always an important day in the UK forestry calendar.
Strongly recommend downloading or getting a paper copy - then you’ll be much better informed than the majority of people who debate U.K. forestry policy.

Timber stuck rotting in remote Northumberland forest Uswayford is only accessible via forest tracks and a public road, but has £5m of timber waiting.

I think the article understates the value of the #timber, but I hope the value to the rural economy and North England GVA comes across. It’s all part of sustainable forest management.

Timber worth £5m stuck in roadless remote forest www.bbc.com/news/article...

YouTube video by Forester Asks Questions What is a Chartered Forester | Forester Asks Questions

Ever wondered what it means to be a Chartered Forester? Give this a watch 👇

@theicf.bsky.social has been a constant throughout my career. It has given me a fantastic network of forestry connections, some who I class as close friends.

What is a Chartered Forester?
youtu.be/kk5wzFF7eGE

ICF staff away day highlights 👇

The team met in Carlisle for a member strategy workshop and escape room, plus a special visit to a James Jones & Sons' woodland and tour of their Lockerbie sawmill.

Thanks to Tom Coates MICFor, Neil Cowan MICFor & Tommy Milburn for hosting us.

YouTube video by Forester Asks Questions How can timber help tackle climate change? | Forester Asks Questions

Excellent interview with @paulbrannenne.bsky.social for ‘Forester Asks Questions’ about #timber, #climatechange and productive #forests.

How can timber help tackle climate change? | Forester Asks Questions
youtu.be/IfG6VkPrwTg

Forester Asks Questions Trees, timber and wood processing by a Chartered Forester in the UK. Subscribe if you’re interested in forestry topics, challenges and careers 🌲🪵

For insights on #forestry #challenges, #careers and the future of #timberharvesting in the UK, subscribe to Forester Asks Questions on YouTube:

youtube.com/@charteredfo...

Site visit with @tcoatesmicfor.bsky.social , James Jones & Sons for a client of mine last week.

Forestry & Timber News spotlights research on overreliance on imported wood

Major new study published in Confor’s June/July issue of Nature Communications — led by researchers at Bangor Uni and Uni Galway and in collaboration with Woodknowledge Wales: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Looks like plantations on both sides of the track - Beech and possibly Western Hemlock.
If the conifers were thinned and the "hairy" trees brashed along the trackside, there would probably be bluebells there too.

If we want more lower carbon homes built this way, then we need more well managed forests to grow the timber & fibre. 🌲

Not the best application for quality #homegrown C16 graded #spruce, but commendable to the café for sticking by its #values and sourcing locally!

More UK #timber in the #built #environment please!

If you go down to the #woods today… no surprises here: #sustainable #timber #harvesting of #homegrown #conifer #trees 🌲🪵

Recently the Forestry Commission asked me to write a blog as part of their Trees to Timber campaign. I was happy to do so and it has now been posted and can be read here: forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2025/05/20/t...