Reimagining Scottish Forestry with Douglas MacMillan

Reimagining Scottish Forestry with Douglas MacMillan

Today I speak to Douglas MacMillan who shares his analysis and criticisms of the current forestry model in Scotland - Douglas worked in the industry in the 1980's before moving into research related to forestry and sustainable land use systems. In this conversation Douglas explains the historical background to afforestation in Scotland, current ownership, species selection, management techniques and ultimately who he says benefits from the status quo. Douglas gives his views on where Government policy and financial support structures are actually compounding the problems he sees. He also questions the wisdom of replanting Sitka Spruce on marginal sites and this leads onto broader ideas about how Scottish forestry could adapt to benefit the wider community and the environment more broadly.  Key Points: * Sitka Spruce dominates Scottish Forestry in terms of planting and processing.  * The benefits of forestry are often concentrated in urban and peri urban areas, leaving little immediate benefit for rural communities (who host the plantations). * Tourism in the Highlands could be enhanced by replacing the clearfell and replant model of forestry with more native woodlands. * There is a need for more diversity in forestry in terms of species selection and supports for small scale sawmills and processors. * A combination of low yield class and high wind throw risk render some highland plantations uneconomical - these sites offer great potential for rewilding. * Moving forestry "down the hill" into the Scottish lowlands offers opportunities for more diverse species, integration of farming and forestry and improved silvicultural techniques. Quotes: "Why are we talking about yield class when we should be talking about meeting societal demand." "I'm not saying you don't need the big mills, I'm saying you don't have anything else only the big mills." "The benefits are shipped out to mills in urban areas." "Forestry was traditionally owned by the laird, not farmers." "Sitka is actually a beautiful tree - if it grows to 120 years, not when it's a spotty teenager at 40!" "The Government needs to take the bull by the horns and say we need a different kind of policy." "We have to take account of inequities and social disconnect between where the benefits are and where the costs are." Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup [https://forestry-now.kit.com/5b61c41771] Scottish Forestry: https://www.forestry.gov.scot/ [https://www.forestry.gov.scot/] Tilhill Forestry: https://www.tilhill.com/ [https://www.tilhill.com/] The Scottish Rewilding Alliance: https://www.rewild.scot/ [https://www.rewild.scot/] Follow the Guest on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-macmillan-440319202/?skipRedirect=true [https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-macmillan-440319202/?skipRedirect=true] Inconvenient truths about Sikta Spruce: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7437119413868445696/ [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7437119413868445696/] A timber processing strategy for the Uplands: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450583561277149185/ [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450583561277149185/] The John Muir Trust: https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/ [https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/] Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ [https://forestrynow.eu/] Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow [https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/] Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Forestry in Scotland 01:33 Historical Context of Afforestation 05:00 Species Selection and Management Techniques 08:09 Current Ownership and Structure of Forestry 10:08 The Role of Small Forest Owners 13:10 Global Context and Economic Challenges 14:21 Profitability and Public Subsidies 18:25 Disadvantages of the Current Forestry Model 22:24 Impact on Tourism and Community Engagement 27:19 The Future of Timber Processing in Scotland 31:15 Challenges in Forestry Grant Systems 36:59 Reassessing Replanting Strategies 45:10 Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Scottish Forestry 49:44 Bringing Forestry Down the Hill

IPlan and Certification for Forest Owners with Kathleen Lucey

Today I speak with Kathleen Lucey who works with the Irish Forest Owners. The IFO support and represent forest owners across Ireland through a vibrant producer group network. In this interview we focus on Kathleen's role as Group Certification Manager at the IFO. We discuss the background to getting a forest certified under FSC and PEFC, the benefits, the costs, the ongoing management requirements, the Irish Governments new IPLAN system and everything in between. Key Points: * The new I-Plan system - a game changer for private forest management in Ireland. * Steps in creating a management plan. * Forest certification standards (FSC and PEFC). * Benefits and costs of group certification for private owners. * Group certification scheme advantages. * Scenarios to consider for forest owners. Quotes: "The I-Plan standardises forest management plans" On the I-Plan Grant for Forest Management Plans: "it will go a long way towards covering the cost of your forester producing that. So that's been a game changer." "Stakeholder engagement is a key part of the process" Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup [https://forestry-now.kit.com/5b61c41771] Follow the Guest on: Kathleen Lucey on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-lucey-015780b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-lucey-015780b/] Website of the Irish Forest Owners https://irishforestowners.com/ [https://irishforestowners.com/] Certification at the IFO: https://irishforestowners.com/resource/certification/ [https://irishforestowners.com/resource/certification/] Details on the IPLAN scheme https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/iplan-scheme/ [https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/iplan-scheme/] FSC - Forest Stewardship Council - https://fsc.org/en [https://fsc.org/en] PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification https://www.pefc.org/ [https://www.pefc.org/] The Pilot Study on Group Certification in Ireland https://www.groupcertification.ie/ [https://www.groupcertification.ie/] Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ [https://forestrynow.eu/] Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow [https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/] Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/] Chapters:

Biomass, Renewable Heat and Nuffield 2026

Today I speak with Kenny McCauley from McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd who are based near Mohill in Co Leitrim. The business processes around 500 tonnes of wood biomass weekly to create high quality, moisture controlled wood chip. In this conversation Kenny explains how his business works, how biomass forms a vital cog in the Irish forestry supply chain, how wood chip is replacing fossil fuels across Ireland and how Leitrim can be a centre of excellence for balanced forestry. He also details the processing system he uses including the machinery and technology involved. Finally Kenny has recently started on his journey as a Nuffield Scholar for 2026. So we discuss what Nuffield involves and his study topic itself which is: “Mobilising rural biomass: unlocking renewable heat, carbon storage and bioeconomy value from farm forest resources.”  Key Points: * Firewood to biomass - transitioning his business and partnership with Arigna Fuels * Partnerships with suppliers and early customers proved critical in enabling the business to grow. * Quality control of both inward raw materials and finished product remains key. * Biomass is a cost effective source of heating for large users such as poultry, pig, and mushroom farms, as well as hotels. * Leitrim's potential as an economic driver through a balanced forestry model. * The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offer the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat which aids large users transition away from fossil fuels. * Kenny's journey with Nuffield will give him an opportunity to understand best practice worldwide and emerging opportunities. Quotes: Click here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup [https://forestry-now.kit.com/5b61c41771] Follow the Guest on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennymccauley/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennymccauley/] McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd: https://www.facebook.com/McCauleyWoodFuels/ [https://www.facebook.com/McCauleyWoodFuels/] Nuffield Ireland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuffield-ireland/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuffield-ireland/] Kennys profile on Nuffield: https://nuffield.ie/scholar/kenny-mccauley/ [https://nuffield.ie/scholar/kenny-mccauley/] Wood Fuel Quality Assurance: https://www.wfqa.org/ [https://www.wfqa.org/] Irish BioEnergy Association: https://irbea.org/ [https://irbea.org/] Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SEAI): https://www.seai.ie/grants/business-grants/support-scheme-renewable-heat [https://www.seai.ie/grants/business-grants/support-scheme-renewable-heat] Arigna Fuels: https://arignafuels.ie/ [https://arignafuels.ie/] Follow the Forestry Now Podcast on: Website: https://forestrynow.eu/ [https://forestrynow.eu/] Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-forestry-now-podcast/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow [https://www.youtube.com/@ForestryNow] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/forestry_now_podcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/ForestryNowPodcast/] Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Or at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dermot-mcnally-90b06421/] Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:07 - Transitioning from the firewood business to biomass wood chip production. 00:04:02 - Target markets including the agri-sector, poultry, and hotels. 00:07:04 - Managing target moisture content and the shift to mechanical drying. 00:10:09 - The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and comparing fuel costs. 00:12:45 - Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA) certification and sustainability audits. 00:16:53 - Raw material sourcing and mixing different timber species like Sitka spruce. 00:19:44 - Load contamination and the air-drying performance of straight versus crooked wood. 00:23:43 - Yard storage constraints, logistics, and processing material on forest sites. 00:29:18 - Timing the mechanical drying process to match boiler fuel demand. 00:32:35 - Using an internal biomass boiler to reduce mechanical drying energy costs. 00:34:53 - Transport logistics and the delivery radius for dry wood chip versus fresh pulp. 00:36:46 - Capacity bottlenecks, processing speeds, and future business growth. 00:40:02 - Kenny's Nuffield Scholarship on mobilizing forest biomass and the rural economy.

Ireland's Native Woodlands with Joe Gowran

In this conversation I speak with Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland about our native forests - Joe has a deep understanding of the history, ecology and management of these woodlands and so we touch on all of this. We discuss positive initiatives to expand and protect these woodlands as well as regulatory hurdles and contradictions that are preventing more progress. Lastly Joe gives me an overview of the training initiatives Woodlands of Ireland are involved in to improve forestry education for the future. Key Points: * Ecosystem services provided by native woodlands * Threats to native woodlands: deer, invasive species, land use change * Management practices for biodiversity and carbon storage * Historical land use and deforestation patterns  * Native woodland management and ecosystem services * Policy contradictions and land use conflicts * Training and capacity building in forestry * Native woodland conservation schemes and funding Quotes: "Land use impacts water quality and ecosystem health..." "Land clearance increased during the Cromwellian era..." "Active management is essential for woodland health..." The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup [https://forestry-now.kit.com/5b61c41771] Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie [http://www.forestsales.ie] Links: Woodlands of Ireland: https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/ [https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/] Joe Gowran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gowran-55126a154/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gowran-55126a154/] Native Forest Funding Schemes in Ireland: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-forest-framework/ [https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-forest-framework/] The Native Woodland Conservation Scheme: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-woodland-conservation-scheme-2023-2027/ [https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/native-woodland-conservation-scheme-2023-2027/] A Guide to Native Riparian Woodlands - https://www.woodlandsofireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/No.-4-Riparian-Woodlands.pdf [https://www.woodlandsofireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/No.-4-Riparian-Woodlands.pdf] Irish Forestry Programme Mid Term Review - https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/e8b56d54/Mid-Term_Review_of_the_Forestry_Programme_2023-2027.pdf [https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/e8b56d54/Mid-Term_Review_of_the_Forestry_Programme_2023-2027.pdf] Inland Fisheries Ireland - https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/ [https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/] Sponsorship. A final thanks to Paul at forestSales.ie for his sponsorship of the podcast and for agreeing to be one of my earliest guests. If you're interested in sponsoring the podcast please do get in touch. Forestry Now has listeners in over 50 countries and is available on all the main podcast platforms. It's also promoted using short video clips on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram allowing advertisers to maximise the opportunities for exposure. Single episode, series and guest sponsorship options are available. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:10 - The ecological importance of native woodlands. 00:03:04 - Correlation between woodland age, management and structural diversity. 00:05:04 - A historical deforstation in Ireland. 00:09:38 - Ongoing threats to native woodlands. 00:13:28 - Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. 00:18:33 - Balancing planting setbacks along waterways. 00:20:46 - The scramble for land in Ireland. 00:23:38 - Getting grant aid for restoration planting. 00:26:35 - Pioneer species for nature restoration. 00:28:50 - The Native and Semi-Natural Woodland Operative Skills Training Pilot. 00:33:10 - Future forestry education.

Barriers to Afforestation in Ireland with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu.

"I'd die for this piece of land. It’s ingrained in me so much. My DNA, our fields have all names and stories." Ireland is trying to increase it's forest cover from 12% but Irish farmers are very reluctant to plant their land. To understand why I speak with Dr. Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) from Trinity College Dublin. She shares key findings from her extensive research into why Irish farmers hesitate to commit to afforestation, despite strong financial incentives. Drawing on her surveys and in-depth interviews with farmers, Zhula explains how Irish landowners aren't anti-forestry but that the state must do much more to convince farmers to plant. The discussion reveals insights into farming identity, community influence, loss of trust in the Forestry Service and why many farmers simply choose to “wait” rather than plant now. Zhula also shares grounds for optimism as many farmers express a strong desire to be involved in climate solutions, especially if payment for ecosystem services become available. Key Points: Farmers are making rational decisions within a system that currently rewards flexibility, certainty, and short-term returns over long-term environmental benefits. Forestry is seen as a permanent, restrictive, irreversibly land use. Long timeframes, policy changes, and financial risks add uncertainty. Alternative land uses like leasing offer more flexibility, control and short-term returns. Farmers want to be involved in the solutions and are keenly awaiting how carbon credits and payments for ecosystem services evolve. Quotes from Interviews with Farmers: "Land rental and the income from land rental is income tax exempt.... that’s actually killing forestry in a way." One farmer speaking about a new afforestation application - "They're afraid I'm going to plant at the road..... everyone objects, it's a kind of natural pastime for us here..." "The premium is not index-linked, so inflation reduces its value." Another farmer replied - "What you’re doing to the future generations is dictating to them that the land is in forestry." The ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup [https://forestry-now.kit.com/5b61c41771] Contact Dermot: forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com Sponsor Link: www.forestsales.ie Links: Dr Laqiqige Zhu (Zhula) on Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laqiqige-zhu-281602b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laqiqige-zhu-281602b5/] The Forest Multidisciplinary Project at TCD https://www.tcd.ie/trinityhaus/research-areas/climate-action-and-sustainability/forest/ [https://www.tcd.ie/trinityhaus/research-areas/climate-action-and-sustainability/forest/] Links to some of Zhula's research (co written by Martha O'Hagan-Luff). Valuing the Invaluable, a review of economic valuations of forest biodiversity https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221204162600015X [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221204162600015X] Investigating barriers to afforestation in Ireland: Insights from a choice experiment survey https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934125002667 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389934125002667] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Forestry and Research Context 01:18 Understanding Farmers' Reluctance to Afforestation 03:22 Irreversibility: Farmers' Concerns and Perspectives 11:33 Uncertainty in Afforestation Decisions 20:31 Flexibility and Alternative Land Uses 27:41 Future Opportunities: Ecosystem Payments and Biodiversity 34:43 Policy Implications and Recommendations