Farm woodlands & forestry

Woodlands can play a key part in a farm business and provide a multitude of benefits, from diversification, succession planning and income to shelter, carbon sequestration and supporting biodiversity.

We understand how new or existing woodlands can enhance your farming operations and grow your business. Our experienced forestry consultants work closely with farmers and our agriculture colleagues to provide independent and impartial advice. 

We can manage your woodlands project, from planting to harvesting, making sure your land is looked after and you can get the best out of your trees.

SAC Consulting’s Forestry Team covers the whole of Scotland. Contact us using the form at the bottom of this page to find out more.

Woodland creation

New woodlands can provide many benefits to your farm and business. Whatever your priorities, from establishing a timber crop to creating new native woodland habitat, we’ll help you decide what kind of woodland is right for your objectives and your land.

We can take you through the whole process, starting with initial ideas and grant applications. We’ll plan and organise the practical work to get the trees established. We charge only for our time, so there are no hidden costs.

To help you create a new woodland we can:

• Advise on suitable woodland types and grant options
• Provide a detailed cashflow, estimating the costs, and income from grant funding
• Select suitable tree species and design a woodland that fits into the landscape
• Prepare and submit grant application documents and maps
• Arrange carbon sales
• Plan and manage fencing, cultivation and planting operations on your behalf, working closely with trusted contractors
• Ensure all work meets the conditions of grant funding and complies with the UK Forestry Standard
• Continue to look after the woodland, organising maintenance work until the trees are established

Harvesting, thinning, and restocking

We’ll advise on when is the right time to harvest your timber. We can also help you decide if and when your woodland – and your cashflow – could benefit from thinning. We can arrange and manage operations on your behalf, from cutting the first tree, to replanting with the next crop.

Our consultants can:

• Assess the crop and estimate timber volume
• Prepare your application for Felling Permission
• Organise the tender process to get the best price for your timber
• Plan and organise road construction and Prior Notification, if required
• Agree and manage contracts for harvesting, and timber sales
• Oversee harvesting work
• Arrange restocking to establish the next rotation of trees

Felling permission

It’s illegal to fell trees without permission, or an exemption. Our experienced team can prepare and submit your felling permission application to make sure you stay on the right side of the law.

Tree surveys

We can assess your trees to help keep them safe. This is particularly important for trees on roadsides, footpaths and near buildings. We can also carry out tree surveys related to planning (BS 5837:2012).