Forest Research publishes a range of research and guidance aimed at forestry practitioners, policymakers, and an interested public. Many of our guidance publications support the UK Forestry Standard, and aim to provide detailed guidance on specific areas of forestry practice.

Our research publications focus on specific areas of forestry-related research and are divided into three series: Research Reports, Research Notes, and In Briefs. Research Reports are long form reports, while Research Notes are shorter reports. In Briefs offer key information on a specific topic in a short format, making them more accessible to a wider range of audiences. In Briefs are often produced to support Research Reports and summarise key findings from the research.

In 2024-2025, we published eight research and two guidance publications, as summarised below:

Timber prices and elasticities for emerging species and different product categories: An evidence review

Research Report – published 4 September 2024

This report reviewed existing studies estimating future timber prices and price elasticities of demand for emerging species and different product categories, focusing on studies most relevant to UK timber markets. The emerging species considered were those tree species predicted to have a more prominent role in UK forestry in the future. Undertaken as part of Forest Research’s Research Programme on Markets for forest products and services, the review aimed to provide information to support the transition to a low carbon economy in the context of a changing climate and to help inform decisions on planting alternative emerging species.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 212 downloads and 316 page views.

Rapid review of biodiversity in Great Britain’s commercial forests

Research Report – published 10 October 2024

This literature review aimed to explore whether there is sufficient evidence to understand the relationships between commercial high forests and their associated biodiversity, identifying gaps in understanding.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 464 downloads and 618 page views.

Timber properties of species with potential for wider planting in Great Britain

Research Note – published 2 December 2024

This publication summarised a study that was conducted on the main physical and mechanical properties of eight lesser-planted forestry species in the UK: European silver fir, Pacific silver fir, grand fir, Caucasian fir, Serbian spruce, Japanese red cedar, sycamore, and silver birch. These species were all identified as potentially of interest for the diversification of British forests, but there is limited information available on their wood properties when grown in the UK, especially the properties most relevant to use as construction timber. This Research Note provided both an initial step towards characterising the UK properties of wood from these species, and indications of how suitable they might be for diversified productive timber forests.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 95 downloads and 151 page views.

Increasing tree cover on cereal farms in England: The role of farmers’ values

Research Report – published 11 December 2024

This publication formed part of a wider project on farmers’ values, and sought to explore the issues that matter to cereal farmers in England in relation to trees and tree cover on their farms. Looking beyond financial considerations alone, this report explored the factors that guide and shape farmer attitudes towards and behaviours around trees and tree cover, with the understanding that learning what farmers value in relation to trees can lead to a better understanding of how, when, and where farmers may embrace having trees on their land. This means that those working to design policies, incentives, tools, advice, or other communications in this area can do so in ways which are more likely to succeed in delivering tree cover expansion on farms.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 26 downloads and 49 page views.

Increasing tree cover on cereal farms in England

In Brief – published 11 December

This In Brief accompanied and summarised the longer Research Report on farmers’ values in relation to trees and tree cover on cereal farms. It outlined the general findings of the research and explained the opportunities for and barriers to cereal farmers increasing tree cover on their farms.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 19 downloads and 27 page views.

Timber prices and elasticities for emerging species and different product categories

In Brief – published 15 January 2025

Published to accompany the longer Research Report on this subject, this In Brief summarised the report’s key findings, provided estimates of own-price and income elasticities of demand for different wood products in the UK, as well as discussing the different timber price forecasting models.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 15 downloads and 20 page views.

The management and creation of woodland for biodiversity and wider environmental benefits

Research Note – published 30 January 2025

This Research Note summarised current evidence on how the management, creation, and configuration of woodlands within a landscape affect biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and key environmental benefits.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 600 downloads and 916 page views.

Further paths to embracing trees on farms: The role of social and cultural values

Research Note – published 5 February 2025

This Research Note presented accounts from four farms that have substantially increased tree cover, foregrounding the farmers’ stories to focus on the role social and cultural values play in changing farmers’ practices. It explored how values might change over time, and when and how farmers are able to farm in line with their values.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 43 downloads and 85 page views.

Creating and managing riparian woodland

Practice Guide – published 31 July 2024

This new Practice Guide was published to support the UK Forestry Standard (5^th edition). It provides advice to forest and woodland owners, managers, and planners on creating, designing, and managing riparian woodland to protect and enhance riparian and aquatic habitats.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 467 downloads and 820 page views.

Managing forest operations to protect the water environment (2nd edition)

Practice Guide – published 22 January 2025

In January this year, we published the 2^nd Edition of this Practice Guide, which updated the guidance to align it with the 5^th edition of the UK Forestry Standard. The guide provides advice to forest managers, practitioners, planners, and supervisors on how forest operations should be planned and managed to protect the water environment.

In the first 30 days from publication, this title received 367 downloads and 665 page views.