Summary

This research aims to draw together and analyse existing datasets on timber production, trade and use in the UK, in order to enhance our understanding of current wood‑fibre flows and to produce more robust forecasts of future availability.

The project aims to deliver critical evidence to support long‐term forest planning, policy interventions and investment decisions across the wood supply chain by:

  • Developing new methods for monitoring timber use in different markets
  • Incorporating alternative scenarios into availability models
  • Piloting the collection of detailed harvester‑head data

This project has been funded by the UK Government through Defra’s Forestry Research and Development programme.

Research Objectives

  1. What are the main markets for key wood fibre products in the UK?
  2. What are the key factors affecting timber availability forecasts and how can changes to these be accounted for?
  3. How can simulation techniques be used to model uncertainty within timber availability forecasts?
  4. How can data collected by harvester heads add value to the timber evidence base?

Funding & Partners

  • Defra logo DEFRA