The commission’s latest performance indicators report shows its aim was to spend £72.10/ha on managing the public forest estate in 2013/14, but the forecast is now for a spend of £63.30/ha.
Meanwhile, the report also shows the average annual coniferous increment of wood volume in England’s forests over the next 20 years is forecast to reduce to 2.8 million m3 in 2032-36. This contrasts with a shorter-term forecast for 2012-16, which predicts a figure of 3.3 million m3.
“This is largely due to uneven annual areas of planting since the second world war and the relatively low levels of conifer planting in the last 25 years,” said the report.
“Many of the older woodlands coming up to maturity are being harvested and replaced with younger crops that initially will have lower annual increment.”
An increasing trend is predicted to start after 2035.
The expected increase in gross value added (GVA) from domestic forestry to £227m by 2015 has already been exceeded because of a buoyant domestic forestry sector.
“Future years should see an improving GVA contribution as programmes such as Grown in Britain drive demand and supply of home-grown timber and wood products,” said the report.
The number of tree pests and diseases established in England in the last 10 years has seen little or no overall change, according to the report.
Five tree pests and diseases have been established between 2003 and March 31, 2013, including chalara ash dieback. An Asian longhorn beetle infestation was discovered early enough for eradication action to be taken during the year.
