Managing woodland

Woodlink aims to bring woodland owners and managers together with suitable contractors and buyers of woodland products. No matter how small or big your woodland, it could be a source of woodfuel or other woodland products. Although difficult to manage, many woodlands will become more viable as demand for woodfuel increases.

Many small woodlands in Dorset are currently under-managed. The Woodlink Project aims to support the management of these woodlands through promotion of local products and encouraging the woodfuel market by creating an economic value for wood produced from these woodlands and trees. We can also put you in touch with people able to carry out woodland work.

In early 2009, Woodlink commissioned research into the potential supply of woodfuel from Dorset alongside an analysis of future woodfuel demand. This was to answer two common questions:"If I install a woodfuel boiler - how much wood is out there, & how long will it last" and "Is there a realistic business opportunity in supplying woodfuel?".

This report is useful for policy-makers and planners as well as potential producers and consumers. Key findings include: There is a plentiful supply of woodfuel in the county. We should be exploring planting new woodland specifically for woodfuel now, to be on-stream in 17-20 years. Projected woodfuel installations will create a large demand.There is a strong business case for entering the supply chain.

Download the executive summary (76.23Kb) and the full report (2.11 Mb).