This event has sold out, no tickets are currently available. Please directly with any queries.

Continuous Cover Forestry - Dumfries and Galloway (SOLD OUT)

Name: Continuous Cover Forestry - Dumfries and Galloway
Start: 2026-09-16T09:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-09-16T09:00:00+01:00
Location: Barwhillanty Estate

About

Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is an increasingly vital silvicultural approach designed to build climate resilience, enhance forest biodiversity, protect soils, and sustain carbon storage while securing regular timber cash flow without the site disruption of clear-felling.

Despite these recognised benefits, South West Scotland has long experienced a widespread regional hesitation toward CCF. This stems from concerns surrounding severe wind hazard exposure, wet peaty soils, and the predominance of unthinned Sitka spruce plantations across upland landscapes.

Delivered by Professor Edward Wilson (Silviculture Academy) in partnership with McNabb Laurie (DG Woodlands), this practical 2-day course provides a realistic, evidence-based roadmap for CCF in Dumfries & Galloway. It directly addresses regional misgivings by establishing clear, site-specific boundaries:

Defining the Limits: Examining high-risk, non-candidate stands (such as unthinned upland Sitka spruce on shallow peats) where CCF transformation is unviable and clear-felling remains appropriate.

Unlocking Regional Potential: Focussing on candidate stands where CCF excels in D&G—specifically broadleaf woodlands and low-elevation conifer plantations on deeper mineral soils (brown earths and deep podzols).