In the aftermath of the devastating Storm Éowyn, which struck South West Scotland, along with locations across the UK last month, the forestry team from Savills Dumfries has been working tirelessly to mitigate the impact on forests and woodlands.
The team has been instrumental in clearing thousands of tonnes of wind damaged timber, and are in the process of clearing an impressive 10,000 tonnes within The Lincluden Estate alone, including windblown trees from the storm.
The Savills Dumfries forestry team works with local forestry clients, including farmers, landowners as well as public bodies and commercial forestry investors. Their efforts are crucial in regions like Dumfries and Galloway, where forests and woodlands cover about 31% of the area. At over 300 square miles, Galloway Forest Park is the largest Forest Park in Britain and the region's timber resources play a vital role in the local economy, providing jobs in timber harvesting, transport, and processing.
Neil Dyson, Head of Forestry at Savills Dumfries said the region has already seen increasingly frequent and intense storms. He said: “According to current climate science, we are likely to see more intense storms in the UK, which could result in more trees falling due to stronger winds and heavier rainfall. Most climate models predict an increase in the frequency and severity of winter windstorms, particularly in the Scotland, potentially causing more tree damage."
Much of the felled timber is now en route to sawmills, where it will be converted into biomass fuel and timber for the construction sector. Neil explained the significance of their work: "There are significant implications after the storm. Much of our job is about safety, and our arborist specialist has been out assessing damage and consulting on what trees can be saved in the region, and which are now in danger of falling and causing damage and must now come down. The post-storm operation will continue well into the summer.
"The result is likely to be a flood of timber onto the market. In line with the laws of supply and demand, this will be good news for the construction and biomass sectors where we have seen fluctuating prices over the last few years, with slight rises going into 2025. It may take a bit of time, but we should begin to see some price correction in the market after the storm."
The team also emphasises the importance of minimising losses and restoring forests to withstand future storms. They provide valuable advice on how to prioritise at-risk trees, secure buyers, obtain necessary licences, and ensure safe access for timber transport. By designing and restocking forests with storm resistance in mind, they aim to reduce future damage and maintain the resilience of the timber market.
For forestry and woodland enquiries contact Neil Dyson, Savills Dumfries on 01387 263 066.