Economic Contribution of Small Scale Woodland Related Businesses FPG Paper
Our research into the economic contribution of small-scale woodland related businesses to Scotland’s economy indicates there are some 6,255 people connected with small-scale woodland related activities. And that the income and local spending of these woodland activities amounts to some £69.8 million pounds.
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I am chairman of the Highland Aspen Group which was formed in 2004. I had provided an input to a Forestry Commission conference in Drumnadrochit about the fungi associated with ancient forests, to help restore the Glenmore, Inshriach and similar forests to relict ancient forests. This is based on my research in Boreal Forest in Scandinavia. No plantations have these Mycorrhizal species associated with these Pinus sylvestris; only ancient forests.
After the conference, a research scientist I knew from FC advised me that if we wanted to raise Populus tremula to provide plants to restore this species to these weeded forests in the CNP, we would need to comply with the FRM for Aspen.
She sent a draft of these regs and kept us informed. Being a charity, we happily proceeded adhering to these rules.
Since then we have supplied aver 13000 Aspen trees derived from registered clones in the Highland’s. We advise planting in groups of ramets from the same clone to replicate the appearance of ancient Aspen in natural stands in Northern Scandinavia.
Not only to FC Highland but to other land owners in this area.
Last year the Highland branch of FC reported that they could no longer accept our product since a directive from FC required supply being from a concern at the borders, well south of the Highlands. Their method of propagation does not comply with FRM!
It seems that the communication between departments is in disarray.
We have decided to close our nursery in Badenoch, manned by unpaid volunteers. There are no other suppliers who will replace us.
Please get organised – the commission seems to be disorganised.
Ernest Emmett FLS
Our research into the economic contribution of small-scale woodland related businesses to Scotland’s economy indicates there are some 6,255 people connected with small-scale woodland related activities.