A REVIEW OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND TIMBER MARKET
PHILIP BLACKSTOCK
1997
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We interviewed 92 respondents, each of whom had an intimate knowledge of aspects of
the Northern Ireland timber market. Each interviewee was questioned about their
knowledge and involvement in timber marketing and was asked to comment on the
perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the production and
marketing of home grown timber.
We found a continued reduction in the size of the hardwood sector, with an annual
throughput of about 6,000 tonnes. This was blamed on a shortage of suitable raw
materials. About half the local hardwood timber used in Northern Ireland is salvaged by
tree surgeons and does not, necessarily, benefit the grower. Lack of effective
management and pressure from environmentalists were given as reasons for the
decline in hardwood timber production.
Local hardwood timber was utilised by chair frame makers, in the craft sector and by
fine furniture makers, with low grade timber going to one large industrial user. The main
users of hardwood timber in Northern Ireland, the Joinery manufacturers, did not,
normally, use locally grown hardwood timber although they were not antagonistic
towards it.
The commercial relationship between the sawmills and the frame makers was
functioning well, with largely acceptable quality standards and price structures in place.
The fine furniture makers were much less satisfied with the timber they got from the
sawmills, criticising in particular lack of drying and continuity of supply. A number of the
furniture makers had overcome these problems by installing kilns and hiring a mobile
sawmill to convert sawlogs that they purchased directly from growers or tree surgeons.
Some timber growers had also hired the mobile sawmill to convert their own timber,
although they usually lacked the knowledge to dry, grade or market the resulting planks.
The involvement of the craft sector and the fine furniture makers in utilising native
hardwoods has helped to create an exclusive or high quality image for this timber.
Recent sales from local sawmills to timber merchants may help to develop an additional
market of local hardwood timber in the relatively large Joinery manufactory sector.
The recent expansion of the softwood sector to about 500,000 tonnes per annum (Pieda
1994) seems to suggest that this sector is thriving. We found that the commercial
relationship between the Northern Ireland Forest Service and the large estates, as
softwood producers, and the sawmills was functioning well. The personal and
professional integrity of the personnel involved in marketing state produced timber was
an important aspect of this market. Farmer growers, who did not, normally produce an
acceptable crop, had problems marketing their timber.
Most of the softwood produced locally was utilised in low value, low value added
products, destined for the agricultural or local authority markets or for pallets and
packaging. We consider that these sectors are vulnerable to changes in local
government spending and agricultural subsidies and to competition from third world
suppliers. The established softwood market in Northern Ireland (timber merchants and
the construction industry) were strongly antagonistic towards locally produced softwood.
They cited problems with quality control, lack of drying and technical limitations as
reasons for not utilising this material. Local sawmills have responded to this antagonism
by developing niche markets and by vertical integration. Unfortunately, this has tended
to reinforce the image of locally grown softwoods being a low value product which is not
suitable for prestigious uses.
This analysis of the Northern Ireland timber market found it to be complex, with a
number of separate, non competing sectors. A number of these sectors, and the
marketing mechanisms that connected them to their suppliers and customers, were
working satisfactorily. These included;
The production of state and estate softwood sawlogs
The marketing of these sawlogs to local sawmills
The supply of sawn timber from local sawmills to their established customers
The marketing and utilisation of imported timber.
However, we identified three fundamental problems in the Northern Ireland timber
market. These were;
The production and sale of quality hardwood sawlogs
The production and sale of farmer grown softwood sawlogs
The sale of locally grown softwood timber into the established softwood markets.
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We make the following recommendations for action to address the market weaknesses
outlined above.
The production and sale of quality hardwood sawlogs
a) Survey Private woodlands
b) Develop realistic blueprints for growing quality hardwoods in Northern Ireland.
c) Revise woodland grant structure to adequately support timely thinning and pruning of
existing woodlands.
d) Alter the systems for financial appraisal of planting proposals to account for amenity
and value added in Northern Ireland.
e) Support directed research or development in the following key areas.
A technology transfer visit by sawmillers to review utilisation of small diameter
hardwood sawlogs.
The role of the fuelwood market in managing the hardwood resource.
The integration of locally grown hardwoods into the established hardwood market
Quality control and product presentation in Northern Ireland's hardwood sawmills
Harvesting techniques for the removal of thinnings from hardwood plantations
Promotion of locally grown timber.
The production and sale of farm grown timber
a) Support farm forestry co-operatives
The sale of locally grown softwood into the established softwood markets
a) Improve the drying of locally produced timber
b) Introduce new quality control standards into the sawmill sector
c) Support high value or quality product development
d) Promote the use of local softwoods in the construction sector
e) Increase the production of quality sawlogs
f) Diversify state planting where possible
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1. INTRODUCTION
The timber industry is one of the few industries where the production process has a
higher market profile than the final product. Everyone in Northern Ireland is aware of the
Forest Service plantations and the effect that these have on the visual amenity of our
countryside. In general trees and woodland are seen as positive attributes to our
environment and the public support that this encourages should produce a positive
attitude towards locally produced timber.
In Northern Ireland timber production is now dominated by public sector production.
Private planting decisions are also largely influenced by advice and financial support
administered by the Northern Ireland Forest Service. Patterns of timber production in
Scotland and in the Republic of Ireland (who supply some sawlogs to the local sawmill
industry) are similar to those pertaining in Northern Ireland. The dominant position of
public sector suppliers will have an influence on the market mechanisms that develop
within the local timber industry.
The aim of this market review (which has been supported by the EC under their
INTERREG 2 programme) was to analysis and evaluate the market mechanisms that
exist in the Northern Ireland timber industries. The procedure adopted was to evaluate
the strengths and weaknesses of, and opportunities and threats to local timber
production, as perceived by a large number of individuals involved in the timber
industry. Conclusions from these analysis were combined with historical data to identify
key areas of concern within the Northern Irish timber using industries with these
conclusions being used to form the basis of recommendations for action to improve the
functioning of the Northern Ireland timber market.
2. METHODOLOGY
The information used in this review of the Northern Ireland timber market was collected
from five separate but integrated sources. These were
2.1. Desk Research
A review of published data on the historical development of the Northern Ireland timber
market was carried out using material at the University of Ulster, Coleraine and at the
Department of Agriculture Forest Service library at Dondunald house, Belfast. Other
historical sources held in private collections were also reviewed. A brief resume of the
recommendations from recent relevant reports on the Northern Irish timber market was
compiled.
2.2. Key Informant Interviews.
Twelve influential and informed commentators on the northern Ireland timber industry
were interviewed. These individuals, who were chosen using a combination of personal
knowledge and recommendations, included foresters from the Northern Ireland Forest
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Service, other timber growers or their agents, sawmillers, endusers and academics.
The interviews were structured around questionnaires (copies of which are included in
Appendix 1). Some indication was sought of their background in the Northern Ireland
timber industry and their experience of timber markets in other countries. They were
asked to express an opinion on the differences between the Northern Irish timber
market and other markets they were familiar with. They were also asked about recent
private sector sales and the prices achieved in these sales.
Timber production in Northern Ireland was categorised into four sectors; state
hardwood and softwood, and private hardwood and softwood production. The twelve
key informants were asked to carry out a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats) analysis on each of these timber producing sectors in turn. Finally, their
replies were precised and combined. (A copy of these and subsequent summaries is
included in appendix 2. To preserve anonymity, the names of the participants have
been separated from their answers).
2.3. Timber growers interviews
In pursuance of our aim to gain information on the private and local authority woodland,
as opposed to those woods under the direct control of the Northern Ireland Forest
Service, no interviews with foresters employed by the Forest Service were included in
this stage of the research. Nine timber growers or woodland managers were interviewed
from a range of organisations including farmers, estate owners, local authority and
government departments. The interviewees were asked about the woodland they
managed, what its main purpose was and what management operations were regularly
carried out in that woodland.
The timber growers were asked about recent timber and fuel log sales and the
financial significance of the woodland to their organisation. They were also asked to
describe their present and preferred marketing system. Finally the growers were
asked to carry out a SWOT analysis on the Northern Ireland timber market. Replies
were precised and combined and are included in appendix 2.
2.4. Sawmill interviews.
To obtain a representative sample of the sawmill sector, the sawmills were stratified
by size and a representative sample from each size category was chosen for
interview. The addition of all sawmillers who regularly convert hardwood timber
meant that a total of eleven sawmillers were interviewed.
They were asked about their annual throughput of hardwood and softwood logs,
their product range and main customers. They were also asked to list their preferred
species and the size range that they normally use. Some indication of the amount of
value they added to their sawlogs was sought as was their opinion on the true cost
difference between local and imported logs. Finally the sawmillers were asked to
carry out a SWOT analysis on locally produced sawlogs and to comment on
5
improvements they would like to see in the market place. Replies to these interviews
were precised and combined and are included in appendix 2.
2.5. Enduser interviews
Representatives from sixty companies that regularly use timber in their production
process were interviewed. As well as asking for information on the amount,
providence, form and type of timber they used in their business, an indication of the
significance of timber to their production and the value they added to their raw
material was sought. They were asked to indicate the true cost difference (taking
into account wastage and workability) between locally produced and imported
timber. They were then asked to carry out a SWOT analysis on locally produced
timber.
The sixty timber users were then categorised into eight sectors as follows;
1) Fine furniture makers and woodcarvers
2) Joinery manufacturers
3) Frame makers and upholsters
4) Timber merchants
5) Builders and Joiners
6) Farm building erectors
7) Manufacturers of roof trusses and timber frame houses
8) Manufacturers of fencing materials and pallets
Replies to the interviews were precised and collated for each of the timber users
sectors listed above and are included in appendix 2.
2.6. ANALYSIS OF DATA
The collated results of the interviews were analysed and the most frequent replies
were highlighted. Where appropriate an estimate of the size, structure and potential
timber consumption of separate sectors was calculated, as was the average
percentage amount of value added to their raw materials. The results of the SWOT
analysis were compared to identify recurrent themes. Finally, significant problems
were isolated, solutions were suggested and canvassed to relevant experts.
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3. RESULTS
3.1. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The history of timber marketing in Ireland is reviewed by McCracken (1972). She
suggests that saw mills were slow to be adopted in eighteenth century Ireland; the
preferred method of processing timber at that time was pit sawing using piece work
rates to control productivity. The cost of transporting sawn timber more than twenty
miles often equalled the cost of buying and processing the timber. These high transport
costs resulted in the price achieved for timber sales varying considerably throughout
Ireland. The 1841 census of Ireland showed that 1280 people were employed in the
timber industry in Ulster (mainly 'sawyers, wood rangers and timber merchants') and
that this industry helped to support a further 14,600 people in wood manufacturing
trades.
Land reform at the end of the nineteenth century resulted in a dramatic increase in
timber sales as large estate owners (who were the only significant owners of trees)
felled woods. The trees were sold to English merchants and converted by travelling saw
mills from the mainland. These merchants were able to compete with the small local
sawmills that had relied mainly on wind blown timber by buying large areas of woods at
a time (Fitzpatrick 1965). The sale of woodland and the additional requirements for
timber during the first world was such that, by 1920, only one third of the Irish woodland
that existed in 1880 still remained.
In the twentieth century the key development in the locally grown timber market was the
shift from privately owned forestry produce (with a relatively high hardwood content) to a
reliance on state grown softwoods from forests in Northern Ireland and Eire. Small, local
sawmills (supplemented by sawmills owned by the large estates, the Forest Service and
by large linen manufacturers) appear to have survived through to the 1960's. Originally
they used mainly private sector timber and produced a variety of products from both
hard and soft woods. Exports of timber products from Northern Ireland were dominated
by low value products like pulpwood, pitwood and wood pulp (Fitzpatrick 1965). As late
as 1962 over half the standing volume of timber in Northern Ireland was still
Hardwoods, indicating the residual influence of privately owned woodlands in Northern
Ireland's timber resource (British Commonwealth Forestry Conference 1962).
Production from the state owned forests in Northern Ireland rose from about 50,000
tonnes in 1962 to 107,000 tonnes in 1985 and 225,000 tonnes in 1995 as the extensive
post war state planting began to be harvested. This expansion in timber production has
been mirrored in Eire and Scotland and has allowed an expansion and modernisation of
the saw mill sector in Northern Ireland. By 1985 Northern Irish sawmills consumed
214,000 tonnes of timber, of which 57% was supplied by imports of logs from Eire. The
sawmill sector employed 380 people in 1985 (Fintrac report 1985).
Some rationalisation of the sawmill sector occurred in the 1990's with the amalgamation
of the two largest sawmills. Notwithstanding this, the consumption of sawlogs rose to
7
over 500,000 tonnes by 1994 and employment in this sector rose to nearly 500 (Pieda
report 1994). Imports from Eire continued to account for 57% of supplies.
In 1977 Northern Ireland private woodlands still provided 36,000 tonnes of timber to the
sawmills. Of this, some 20,000 tonnes was hardwood and 16,000 tonnes was softwood
(Graham 1980). Fintrac (1985) estimated that private forestry supplied about 4,000
tonnes of softwood logs in 1984/5. By 1994 the Pieda report estimated that private
forestry could supply 24,000 tonnes annually and that 21,000 tonnes would be supplied
to sawmills in 1994.
3.2. NORTHERN IRELAND TIMBER RESOURCE
Table 3.1 lists selected published estimates on the area of woodland in Northern
Ireland. The figures for state owned Woodland may be considered as accurate
(excepting the exclusion of woodland growing on public land not controlled by the
Forest Service). The wide variability in estimates for privately owned woodland
highlights the difficulties in quantifying this resource. Graham's (1980) inventory of
private woodlands is considered thorough and reliable and gives detailed estimates of
available timber in these woods. Other Authors appear to have relied on Graham's
estimates (Cruikshank 1987, Fintrac 1985).
Table 3.1 Published estimates of the size of the Northern Ireland timber resource
AUTHOR FOREST AREA ANNUAL PRODUCTION
STATE FORESTS
Pieda (1994) 60,984 Ha. 215,000 Tonnes
STATE SOFTWOOD
Forest Service (1995) 56,041 Ha 225,000 Tonnes
STATE HARDWOOD
Forest Service (1995) 1,343 Ha
Forest Service (1991/6) 978 Tonnes (average)
Fintrac (1985) 3,292 Tonnes
PRIVATE FORESTS
Graham (1980) 11,400 Ha. 36,000 Tonnes
Cruikshank (1987) 13,000 Ha
Forest Service (1990) 15,500 Ha.
Pieda (1994) 17,756 Ha. 21,000 Tonnes
PRIVATE SOFTWOOD
Graham (1977) 3648 Ha. 16,000 Tonnes
Fintrac (1985) 3,500 - 4,500 Tonnes
PRIVATE HARDWOOD
Graham (1977) 6156 Ha. 20,000 Tonnes
Murray et al (1992) 32,594 Ha
The estimates produced by Murray et al. (1992) are based on an ecological study of
Northern Ireland. Their figures include fen carr and other wooded areas that may not be
8
considered commercial woodland (e.g. Hazel woods, riverside woods and steep
escarpments)
The estimates for timber production from private forests appear to be particularly
diverse and unreliable but do show an apparent decline over the past twenty years.
3.3. EXISTING SYSTEMS FOR MARKETING NORTHERN IRISH TIMBER.
The Northern Ireland Forest Service sell their timber by tender four times a year. they
set a fixed base price and encourage competition between timber buyers by ensuring
that timber is presented in a variety of lot sizes and ways . They co-operate with their
main customers by providing the Home Timber merchant's Association with a detailed
breakdown of timber availability in the forthcoming year. In general the sawmillers
consider that the presentation and marketing of state grown timber is carried out in an
efficient and professional manner. (NIAO Report 1992).
There are two organisations established to assist Northern Irish private woodland
owners in producing and marketing timber. The Ulster Timber Growers Association was
established to promote the interests of private woodland owners in Northern Ireland
through education and lobbying. In 1993 the Ulster Agricultural Organisation Society
Ltd. appointed a forestry development officer to establish two pilot farm forestry
co-operatives with financial support from the EC under their INTERREG programme.
These co-operatives are designed to assist farmers produce and market quality timber
(Blackstock 1994). Interruption of financial support has curtailed their effectiveness in
this regard.
In addition, the objectives of the Department of Agriculture Forest Service, as set out in
the 1970 white paper, include:
The promotion of state and privately owned forests on land where forestry is
considered to be the most appropriate long term land use;
Ensuring that the most advantageous markets are available for Northern
Ireland forest production as and when required (NIAO Report 1992)
3.4. RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
NORTHERN IRISH TIMBER MARKET
A number of significant reviews of the Northern Ireland timber industry have been
carried out in the past ten years. The following recommendations for action and support
were among the findings of some of these reports:
Fintrac Report (1985).
Cease to support further basic capital assistance for the sawmill industry
Support further processing of sawn timber
Support the manufacturing of specific products from timber or its residue
NIAO Report (1992)
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Carry out a comprehensive economic appraisal to identify optimum methods
to obtain forestry objectives in regard to private forestry.
NN/ECE Timber Committee & FAO European Forestry Commission (1992/3)
Encourage the provision of new and expanded outlets for small sized wood
Encourage viable wood using industries to support retention of woodland.
Pieda report (1994)
Produce a strategic development plan for the timber processing industry
Develop linkages with industrial bodies in Eire
Develop a NI timber industry database
Develop communication channels between the industry and government
agencies
Promote awareness and take up of existing forms of support
Encourage development of value added opportunities
Assist identification and implementation of development opportunities
Implement feasible adjustments in the timber production process
Support private forestry sector sales through auctions and joint tendering
Update the private forestry inventory
Develop the hardwood resource
Monitor the potential for supporting energy coppice
Consider support for exporting and import substitution
3.5. FORESTRY MARKET SUPPORT IN OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
The marketing and support organisations that exist in other European timber producing
countries are reviewed in Kula (1988) and Grayson (1992). In general the state assists
in the promotion of privately owned timber by a combination of tax breaks, financial and
technical assistance and marketing organisation. The market support usually takes the
form of co-ordination facilities within the state forestry sector ( Turkettle 1996) or support
for Farm forestry co-operatives ( Kula 1988, Gallagher 1994). It is also usual for the
state to retain ownership of a substantial area of forestry in these countries and to be
responsible for the marketing of their own timber.
3.6. REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRES
The following sections contain a brief resume of the replies to the market research
interviews that form the basis for the market research presented here. Their replies
have been collated and the key findings from each of the sectors identified are
summarised.
3.6.1. Key informants
Some of the respondents interviewed had personal knowledge of timber markets in the
rest of the British Isles and in Germany and Denmark. They felt that the size and scale
of those markets was the most significant difference between these and Northern
Ireland's timber market. The price paid for hardwood logs was lower in Northern Ireland
10
than in England, with the lower Northern Irish price reflecting transport costs to English
sawmills. The prices paid for private softwood was considered to be similar to that
achieved by the Forest Service. It was generally agreed that there were relatively few
private sales of timber in Northern Ireland, with most of these sales coming from large
estates or the National Trust.
The SWOT analysis (summarised in Table 3.2) largely supports the contention that
experts rarely agree, with a wide and often conflicting divergence of opinion being
expressed on most of the market sectors. The fragmented nature of the hardwood and
private softwood sector was seen as a weakness, while lack of management within
existing plantations was considered a threat to the existing timber market.
Table 3.2.A SWOT analysis, Summary of Key Informants opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to the state softwood timber market
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Large, well run, State interference Good growing Privatisation,
sustainable. and static growth conditions, imports, political
expertise, political interference
influence
Table 3.2.B SWOT analysis, Summary of Key Informants opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to the state hardwood market
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Can produce Variable quality Established Lack of planting &
quality product and fragmented market for good management
stands, poor quality product. Variable market.
marketing Future trees will be Environmental
good
Table 3.2.C SWOT analysis, Summary of Key Informants opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to the private softwood market.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Can be sold with Plantation size and Good market Poor marketing
the state management and management
production
Table 3.2.D SWOT analysis, Summary of Key Informants opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to the private hardwood market
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Fair resource, well Small, fragmented Valuable resource if Low rates of return
marketed poor quality control properly managed and lack of
and marketed management
3.6.2. Timber Growers
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The inclusion of local authority and government owned woodland, as well as some of
the larger estates meant that there were some significant areas of deciduous woodland
managed by the respondents. The main use of a lot of this woodland was for sporting or
recreation purposes, with timber production a low priority or actively discouraged.
Because of the public involvement of the public in many of these woods expenditure on
management was fairly high, with tree pruning and thinning being regularly carried out.
The only respondents with experience in selling timber were those owning or managing
large estates. Of these, only one felt that they had benefited, financially, from woodland
management (they did not normally account for the labour needed to manage the
woodland). The farmers questioned had a low expectation of lucrative timber sales,
often referring to previous experience of neighbours to support their pessimism.
The Northern Ireland Timber Growers Association was cited as an effective marketing
organisation for estate owners, with farmers supporting the Farm Forestry
co-operatives. (We understand that all the estate owners interviewed were members of
the Northern Ireland Timber Growers Association, while all the farmers interviewed were
members of the Farm Forestry co-operatives). Local authorities and government
departments tended to spend relatively large amounts on tree surgery and on the
removal of dangerous trees, and rather less on formative pruning and thinning.
The timber growers experience of the local timber market shows a divergence of
opinion, with estate owners finding it an easy market to sell into and the farmers finding
no market for their timber (Table 3.3). The need to maintain diversity in the timber
market was emphasised by a number of respondents.
Table 3.3 SWOT analysis, Summary of timber growers opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to the Northern Ireland timber market.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Good market place No market for farm Must maintain Not answered
for timber timber diversity in the
market
3.6.3. Sawmills
A review of the volume of softwood timber processed in Northern Ireland's sawmills has
been the subject of two recent reports (Fintrac, 1984, Pieda, 1994) and has not been
repeated here. There appear to be about 6,000 tonnes of hardwood sawlogs processed
every year in five Northern Ireland sawmills. Of these, about 2,000 tonnes in imported
from England and Denmark. A significant amount of the locally grown timber is
'salvaged' by tree surgeons and does not, necessarily, benefit the grower financially.
Only two the sawmills questioned regularly used kilns to dry their timber, instead, the
wide range of end products produced by the sawmills reflects some vertical integration
in the sawmill sector, as the sawmillers attempt to add value to their product and
develop niche markets. Sitka spruce was their preferred softwood log, with Elm, Ash
12
Sycamore and Beech being their preferred hardwood logs. Oak logs were considered
difficult or wasteful to convert.
The results of the SWOT analysis (Table 3.4) indicate a divergence of opinion between
the softwood sawmillers (who considered that their state produced sawlogs were of
good quality and well presented) and the hardwood sawmillers, who considered that
their logs were normally poor quality. An increasing demand for quality timber was seen
as an opportunity, while the continued poor and erratic supply of hardwood logs and
competition from imports were seen as threats.
Table 3.4 SWOT analysis, Summary of sawmillers opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to the supply of sawlogs
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Good timber, well Poor quality increasing demand Poor supply of
presented hardwoods for quality product hardwoods,
Competition from
overseas
3.6.4. Endusers
Because of the very different timber consumption between each of the timber consumer
sectors investigated, each sector was analysed separately. The main results of these
analyses are outlined below.
3.6.4.1. Fine Furniture makers and Woodcarvers
This sector, who were significant customers for local hardwood, were generally small
scale users, most of whose raw materials was hardwood timber. They tended to add a
lot of value to their raw materials (79%) and often maintained a high public profile for
marketing purposes. As such, they behaved as ambassadors for the Northern Ireland
timber market. They purchased their wood in a variety of forms ranging from buying logs
directly from growers and getting them milled, to buying in part assembled units.
As a significant local market for native hardwoods their replies to the SWOT analysis
were significant (Table 3.5). The generally felt that native hardwoods had an attractive
appearance but that it was often poorly presented by the sawmills. The continued loss
of Elm to Dutch Elm Disease (Ceratocystis ulmi) was seen as a significant threat.
Interestingly, they considered locally grown Oak to be a desirable timber, suggesting
that they did not share the problems that the sawmillers had with this timber.
Table 3.5 SWOT analysis, Summary of Fine furniture makers and Woodcarvers opinion
of the strengths and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally produced
timber.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
good grain pattern Poor presentation Improve Loss of Elm and
and grading presentation image of local
timber
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3.6.4.2. Joinery manufactures
This sector, who were relative large scale users of hardwood timber, did not, normally
use locally produced timber. They preferred the tropical or North American Hardwoods.
They added a significant value to their raw materials (55%). All the timber they used
was supplied as planks, either from timber importers or direct from overseas sawmills.
The respondents we interviewed tended to be very knowledgeable about different types
of timber and had often experimented with native hardwoods. They were not
antagonistic towards local hardwoods but were clearly not satisfied with the way it was
presented to them by the sawmills (Table 3.6)
Table 3.6 SWOT analysis, Summary of Joinery manufacturers opinion of the strengths
and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Not answered Poorly presented not answered not answered
and marketed
3.6.4.3 Frame makers and upholsters
This sector was a very significant end user of locally grown hardwood timber, tending to
underpin the local hardwood market by utilising second grade planks. Although they did
not add much value to their raw materials (39%) compared to other hardwood users,
they supported an industry that were significant employers (with over 5,000 people
working in this sector in Northern Ireland). They tended to buy their timber from one
sawmill and a couple of timber merchants and preferred Beech wood.
The SWOT analysis (Table 3.7) reflected the normal commercial complaints that are
found in a market that is functioning satisfactorily. We were not made aware of strongly
held complaints from any of the respondents in this sector.
Table 3.7 SWOT analysis, Summary of Frame Makers and Upholsterers opinion of the
strengths and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
good beech expensive, not answered not answered
variable quality
3.6.4.4. Timber Merchants
This sector underpins the mainstream timber market in Northern Ireland, traditionally
buying wood from either importers or direct from overseas suppliers and selling to other
endusers. Current sources of timber were Sweden, Estonia and Canada for softwoods,
and Africa, Brazil and North America for hardwoods. They did not, normally, carry
locally grown timber (excepting some fencing material). Most of the large volume of
timber they sold was in planks.
The SWOT analysis revealed a strong antagonism towards locally grown timber, with a
widespread feeling expressed that it was generally inferior to imported timber and that it
was overpriced. (Table 3.8). One particular complaint was that it was supplied wet and
14
this caused excessive wastage as the top planks warped successively as part loads
were sold to different customers. Timber merchants are central to the Northern Ireland
timber market, often advising endusers on their choice of timber. Their present
antagonism towards local timber must be seen as a significant threat to the Northern
Irish softwood producers.
Table 3.8 SWOT analysis, Summary of Timber Merchants opinion of the strengths and
weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
improving quality strong resistance improve No hardwoods
to local timber presentation and
quality and price grading
3.6.4.5. Builders and Joiners
About 25% of the raw materials used in the construction of a house is wood. Softwood
was used in roofs and floors, with hardwoods used in windows and, increasingly , in
kitchen units. Some of the builders and joiners interviewed had used locally grown
timber in roof construction and felt that it was easy to work and produced a good, level
roof. They also felt that it had a generally high moisture content. The joiners and
builders that had not used locally produced timber reiterated many of the worries
expressed by the timber merchants; that it was totally unsuitable for construction (Table
3.9)
Table 3.9 SWOT analysis, Summary of Builders and Joiners opinion of the strengths
and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Easy to work with lack of quality Not answered Not answered
forms a good roof
3.6.4.6. Farm Buildings Erectors
Although only about 10% of the raw materials used in the construction of a farm building
is wood, this sector was an important end user for locally grown timber, with 25% of
their timber they used being produced locally. Some of the respondents cited problems
with nails pulling out of the softer local timber as a reason for not using this source of
timber more in the buildings they erected (Table 3.10). This sector appeared to display
a cyclical growth pattern as they responded to changes in agricultural subsidies.
Table 3.10 SWOT analysis, Summary of Farm Building Erectors opinion of the strengths
and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
good enough for poor quality and not answered not answered
farm building technical problems
3.6.4.7. Manufacturers of roof trusses and timber frame houses
15
Most of the raw materials used in this sector was imported softwood. Although they
added an average of only 37% value to their raw materials they were, individually, large
timber users and fed their products into the construction industry, thereby supporting
significant local employment. Most of the respondents interviewed were very
knowledgeable about the timber market and the technical limitations of softwood, often
having obtained third level education in this field. They were strongly and consistently
antagonistic towards locally produced softwood (Table 3.11). The only strength that they
were willing to give local timber was that there was a plentiful supply of it. They
generally considered that local softwoods were not suitable for construction, citing
problems with joining boards together and with applying preservatives. They considered
that it was poorly presented and graded and that there needed to be a significant price
incentive before their sector would be interested in locally produced softwood.
Table 3.11 SWOT analysis, Summary of manufacturers of roof trusses and timber frame
housing opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to
locally produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
plentiful supply poor quality and improved grading not considered
too dear. technical and advanced suitable for
problems products construction
3.6.4.8. Fencing materials and pallets
Most of the timber used in this sector was locally produced, either in Northern Ireland or
Eire. They used mainly pre cut units supplied directly from the sawmill and there tended
to be long term commercial relationships between suppliers and endusers. Their first
choice of wood was sitka spruce. The customer base for this sector tended to be
agricultural, local authorities or the commercial transport sectors. The average value
added to the raw materials used in this sector was 36%. This was inflated by some
specialist fencing manufacturers. More usually this sector produced a low value, mass
produced product with little value added.
The SWOT analysis (Table 3.12) confirmed the long term relationship between this
sector and their suppliers, with mainly minor weaknesses being aired. The apparent
difference of price between sawmills in Northern Ireland and Eire was seen as a threat
to the local sawmill industry.
Table 3.12 SWOT analysis, Summary of manufacturers of fencing material and pallets
opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of and opportunities and threats to locally
produced timber
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Right quality and Needs to be dry Not answered Cheaper from Eire
market and cheaper No VAT in Eire
mechanisms
16
4. DISCUSSION
4.1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE MARKET SIZE BY SECTOR
The scope and structure of the market review presented here did not produce reliable
estimates of the locally produced softwood sector, the fuel log sector or the amount of
timber imported into Northern Ireland. Published estimates of some of these are
reproduced in Table 3.1. Of these, the figures produced for state forestry sales must be
considered reliable. Private softwood sales appear to fluctuate, as individual sales of
plantations can have a significant impact on yearly figures. 'Expert' estimates suggested
that about 20,000 tonnes of privately grown softwoods are sold to local sawmills every
year.
We did not investigate fuel log sales and we cannot, therefore, supply an estimate of the
size of this sector. Research carried out by the Energy Technology support unit into the
English fuel wood market found that this sector was nine times larger than previously
estimated. It seems likely that a similar situation pertains in Northern Ireland. The fuel
log market is an important sector in hardwood timber production, often adding 60 or
70% by value to low grade wood. It is likely that it will remain important in hardwood
production where it utilises early thinnings as well as overmature logs and forestry
waste.
We estimate that the total annual hardwood sawlog production in Northern Ireland is
about 5,000 tonnes. Of this the state sector produces between 200 and 400 tonnes (the
remaining hardwood sales from the state sector goes into the fuel wood market). This
total takes into account about 1,000 tonnes of sawlogs exported to sawmills in England
and discounts 2,000 tonnes of hardwood logs imported from England and Denmark.
The figure also includes about 3,000 tonnes of sawlogs 'salvaged' by tree surgeons.
Although they claim to take into account the value of timber when setting a price for tree
surgery, most growers do not benefit, financially, from sales by tree surgeons.
It is clear that most sales of sawlogs by the private sector were of softwood logs and
these sales came mostly from large estates. Hardwood sales by farmers have been
boosted in recent years with the return of a mobile sawmill to Northern Ireland. This
sawmill is used to convert timber for tree owners. It has also enabled some of the fine
furniture makers to buy a few sawlogs from growers and get them converted, thus
creating an important outlet for small scale woodland owners.
4.2. Timber use in Northern Ireland
4.2.1. Native Hardwoods
Furniture makers and turners use good quality or unusual timber, to which they add
considerable value. The native hardwood sector is maintained by the frame makers and
upholsterers, and, more recently, floor manufacturers who use up the medium grade
timber. Although these sectors do not, normally, add a lot of value to their raw materials,
they are important employees in Northern Ireland. The craft sector are significant
17
customers for at least two sawmills and are being strongly promoted by LEDU and other
marketing organisations. This promotion helps to raise the profile of local hardwoods by
reinforcing their 'quality' image. One large industrial customer uses a significant amount
of poor quality, large dimension, timber. Joinery manufacturers occasionally use local
hardwood.
4.2.2. Home Grown Softwoods
Pallet and fencing manufacturers, local authorities and the agricultural sector take most
of the production from local sawmills. Many of the smaller sawmills have developed
niche markets, often by producing value added products like garden sheds. While there
have been some sales of home grown softwood to the construction sector, this
established market for softwoods was largely ignored by local sawmills.
4.2.3. Imported Hardwoods
The main source of imported hardwoods appears to be Africa, with Brazilian timber
becoming increasingly difficult to obtain because of pressure from environmentalists.
North America provides most of the temperate hardwoods used. Joinery manufacturers
are the main customers for imported hardwoods, with garden furniture manufacturers,
frame makers, furniture manufacturers and coach builders also significant customers.
4.2.4. Imported Softwoods
Softwood timber is now normally imported from Sweden or Estonia, with some residual
contracts with Canada. The main market for this imported softwood is the construction
industry, where there are established marketing mechanisms and quality control
standards.
4.3. MARKET MECHANISMS
4.3.1. State Softwood Production to Local Sawmills
This part of the Northern Ireland timber market appears to work very well. There is
considerable respect for the professionalism and integrity of the Forest service
personnel involved in the marketing of state timber. Any minor criticisms reflected
individual sawmills jockeying for position in a competitive industry. It was significant that
the sawmill sector recognised the need for diversity in both the size and type of sawlog
being produced and in the way that these logs were presented.
Because of the near monopolistic position of the State Forestry sector in Northern
Ireland the smooth and efficient working of the state timber producer / sawmill interface
could be vulnerable to accusations of price fixing. This is particularly the case while the
present surplus capacity within the sawmill sector remains. It is very important that the
Forest Service continues to provide the variety of products and the flexibility of
presentation that it has developed. It is also important that the Forest Service is careful
when instituting regulations apparently un-connected to but affecting the marketing of
timber. Similarly, changes in ownership of state plantations, or significant changes in the
management of these woods may have a detrimental effect on the functioning of this
market.
18
4.3.2. Private Softwoods to Sawmills
The one group of private landowners that regularly sell softwood sawlogs to local
sawmills, the owners of estates, tend to do well out of these sales. They have, or have
access to, sufficient woodland management skills to produce a saleable crop and
appear capable of achieving near realistic prices for their timber. The role of the
Northern Ireland Timber Growers Association and personal networking contacts appear
to support timber prices over a range of these private timber producers.
This form of marketing timber works well as long as an apparent elitism encourages
timber buyers not to be seen to offer a poor price or to talk the price down in
negotiation. If the Northern Ireland Timber Growers Association grew to encompass a
majority of private woodland owners, it would loose this competitive advantage in the
market place and would have to develop alternative marketing mechanisms.
Farm woodland owners do not, normally, have easy access to information on the
management or presentation of a timber crop. Consequently, when they try to sell they
are offered a very poor price. Gossip amongst farmers tends to perpetuate stories of
these attempted sales. These marketing problems exasperate difficulties that the
farming community have with forestry competing for scarce land. One of the key
successes of the Farm Forestry co-operatives was to address these problems, allowing
farmers to take pride in their woodland and to offer them some hope of benefiting,
financially, from their trees.
4.3.3. State and Private Hardwood sales to Sawmills.
The paucity of quality hardwood sawlogs produced in Northern Ireland ensures that this
market does not function very well. Where good stands of well grown hardwoods come
on to the market, there is national competition for them and prices can be firm.
However, most hardwood sawlogs produced in Northern Ireland are not of this quality.
Sawmillers have problems with nails in some of the logs, especially when these have
been 'salvaged' from hedgerows or from urban environments. This depresses the
average price paid for locally grown hardwood sawlogs which, unfortunately, reduces
investment in hardwood production and creates a negative feedback cycle.
The re-introduction of a mobile sawmill into Northern Ireland has encouraged some
woodland owners to convert their own timber. However, they do not normally have
access to endusers, nor are they experienced in drying and presenting timber. There is
a threat that this poorly presented timber will adversely affect the image of locally
produced hardwood.
The most significant weakness in the hardwood sector was the lack of well grown
hardwood timber in Northern Ireland. Management appeared to be haphazard or non
existent and where mature stands did exist, they were often so uncommon as to attract
protection from organisations involved in conservation. There did not appear to be any
clearly defined method for producing quality hardwood timber in general use in Northern
19
Ireland. The role of the fuel wood market in the production of quality hardwoods is
imperfectly understood; it often competes with the sawmills for quality sawlogs, rather
than supporting the management of younger hardwood stands.
The utilisation of small diameter sawlogs was considered by some to the experts
interviewed as essential for the production of quality hardwoods. There has been some
recent successful marketing of small diameter Ash (for flooring and sports goods) and
Oak (for construction timber). If the local production of hardwood flooring continues to
prosper, it may well produce an outlet for small diameter logs from other species.
A major constraint to the development of a strategy for hardwood timber marketing is
the lack of up to date information on the privately owned hardwood resource. No
inventory has been taken since the late 1970's and this is now out of date, with
alterations in woodland grants and environmental perceptions changing woodland
management. It would also appear that the market for locally grown hardwoods has
shrunk considerable in the last 25 years. To avoid over exploitation it will be important to
accurately access the potential capacity of the existing hardwood stock before
developing this market.
4.3.4. Sales of Softwoods to Endusers
This section of the Northern Ireland timber market appears to be functioning badly.
Locally produced softwood timber seems to bypass the existing and established timber
market, competing rather than integrating with it. Vertical integration and niche
marketing by the sawmillers have left them concentrated in low value, low value added
sectors that are over reliant on public sector spending or agricultural subsides. There is
a strong resistance from timber merchants and large individual endusers to locally
produced softwood timber and this is effectively blocking any expansion into the
construction sector. As there appears to be substantial strategic and economic
incentives for expansion into this market, we believe that a failure to expand into the
construction market is a major weakness in the present market for locally produced
softwoods.
There appears to be two main and inter related criticisms of locally produced softwood
timber. These are
That the timber is poorly graded and dried, and
That the timber is inherently unsuitable for use in the construction industry.
We understand that there is an EC review of timber grading in progress and are aware
of a significant body of research into the suitability of locally produced softwood timber
for construction. We believe that it is essential that these two related problems are
honestly addressed and, once overcome, that locally produced softwood is promoted in
the construction sector. Failure to address this fundamental weakness in the market for
locally produced softwood will leave the market vulnerable if local government
expenditure or agricultural subsidies are curtailed.
4.3.5. Sales of Hardwood to Endusers
20
Apart from one relatively large and well run sawmill, this section of the Northern Ireland
timber market is small and fragmented. Much of the timber offered for sale by the
sawmills is poorly presented and not dried. This has led to the fine furniture
manufacturers buying logs direct from the grower (or the tree surgeon), getting them
sawn and drying it themselves.
The established hardwood market is not, necessarily, antagonistic towards locally
produced hardwoods. Hardwood timber users tend to have an interest in the qualities of
different types of timber and have often had a non commercial experience of local
hardwoods. We understand that some recent sales of well graded, locally produced
hardwoods have been made to timber merchants. If the locally produced hardwood
sector is to expand, the market discipline imposed by these sales will be essential to
ensure a competitive and high quality product.
4.4. GLOBAL TRENDS IN THE TIMBER MARKET
4.4.1. Hardwoods
Temperate hardwoods are still getting a better market profile than tropical hardwoods.
The idea that the tropical hardwood sector is damaging to the global environment, while
temperate hardwoods come from sustainable sources appears to be influencing the
market. This attitude is considered to be positively correlated to wealth and education
and, as such, may not be as significant in Northern Ireland as it is in the European
mainland. It is noteworthy that African and Brazilian hardwoods are still dominating the
Joinery manufacture market in Northern Ireland.
Plastics continue to compete with hardwoods in the construction sector, with plastic
window frames becoming more acceptable. Conversely, temperate hardwoods have
retained a quality position in the market for kitchen furniture. Board materials remain
important in the bulk furniture market.
The growth of the craft and fine furniture market (often promoted extensively) has now
produced a number of established companies who are beginning to have a significant
impact on the public perception of locally grown hardwoods. We believe that this trend
will continue and will start to influence timber choice in other furniture sectors.
4.4.2. Softwoods
An analysis of the trends in the international market for softwoods is largely outside the
expertise of the authors of this report, being variously influenced by environmental and
political constraints and the relative strength of the global economy. Imported softwoods
have a dominant share of the local construction market, competing effectively with
locally produced softwoods on quality and suitability. Locally produced softwood usage
is concentrated in vulnerable low value, low quality, low skill markets. Changes in the
grading systems used in the EC may compound this segregation of local softwoods into
low value added products.
21
The growth of the board mill sector in Ireland may profoundly affect the market for
locally produced softwoods, offering short term opportunities to growers in the form of
an un-discerning market for low grade timber. It may also create a long term threat to
Northern Ireland producers by encouraging an additional reduction in the production of
quality sawlogs.
5. CONCLUSIONS
An analysis of the Northern Ireland timber market found it to be complex, with a number
of separate, non competing sectors. A number of these sectors, and the marketing
mechanisms that connected them to their suppliers and customers, were working
satisfactorily. These included;
The production of state and estate softwood sawlogs
The marketing of these sawlogs to local sawmills
The supply of sawn timber from local sawmills to their established customers
The marketing and utilisation of imported timber.
However, we identified three fundamental problems in the Northern Ireland timber
market. These were;
The production and sale of quality hardwood sawlogs
The production and sale of farmer grown softwood sawlogs
The sale of locally grown softwood timber into the established softwood markets.
We recommend that these problems are addressed by implementing the
recommendations outlined in the following sections of this report.
6. RECOMMENDATIONS
We make the following recommendations for action to address the market weaknesses
outlined above.
6.1. THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF QUALITY HARDWOODS
a) Survey Private woodlands
The last detailed survey of private woodlands (Graham 1980) is now twenty years out of
date. Since it was carried out a number of significant changes in private woodland
grants and in environmental and conservation practices have taken place. The
production of timber from these woods has also dropped dramatically.
We recognise that a complete survey of private woodland would now be impracticable
and recommend that the methodology developed by Cooper (Murray et al. 1992) be
adopted to obtain a representative sample of private woodland in Northern Ireland. To
22
reflect changing emphasis in the management of woodland, we recommend that some
environmental and biodiversity data be collected as well as information on owner
attitudes to woodland management and detailed data on present and potential
woodland management.
b) Develop realistic blueprint for growing quality hardwoods in Northern Ireland.
There does not appear to be consistent management guidelines for producing
hardwoods in Northern Ireland. Current practice on spacing, planting mixes, protection,
pruning and thinning is very variable, with conflicting advice being offered by different
foresters. The problems associated with growing hardwoods in the British Isles can be
traced back to Forbes (1906) and beyond, with custom being adopted without regard to
scientific investigation into best practice.
We recommend that the production of a set of clear and unambiguous guidelines to the
growing of quality hardwood sawlogs be commissioned. These guidelines must be
supported by recent, relevant research and should form the basis of all state supported
woodland planting and management (inclusive of woodlands being managed for visual
amenity or conservation). By providing firm proposals on commercial mixes, early post
planting maintenance, pruning and thinning these blueprints will compliment existing
discursive guidelines produced by the Forestry Commission and others.
c) Revise woodland grant structure to adequately support timely thinning and
pruning of existing woodlands.
Financial support for private woodland is concentrated in the first few years of the life of
the timber crop and is designed to ensure establishment. The grants that are available
for managing woodlands are not universally taken up by woodland owners because the
cost of meeting the criteria imposed by the Forest Service for awarding the grants are
not matched by the amount available under the grant. We are aware of the financial
arguments for supporting planting and establishment but not thinning and pruning of
timber crops. We would point to the failure of the present grant structure to address the
problem of poor quality timber crops as evidence to support a revision of these
woodland management grants. In revising these management grants we recommend
that they support key management requirements identified in the proposed blueprints
for growing quality hardwoods in Northern Ireland.
d) Alter the systems for financial appraisal of planting proposals
The Northern Ireland forest Service should introduce changes in its methodology for
financial appraisal of planting proposals to take into account amenity valuation of the
growing crop, the value added to sawlogs processed in Northern Ireland and a realistic
final value for hardwood logs in an established market place. These changes would
mean that financial appraisals would more realistically reflect the true value to the
population of Northern Ireland of public investment in state plantations. They would also
encourage the planting of commercial hardwood crops on suitable sites.
e) Support directed research or development in the following key areas.
23
A technology transfer visit by sawmillers to review utilisation of small diameter
hardwood sawlogs.
The role of the fuelwood market in managing the hardwood resource.
The integration of locally grown hardwoods into the established hardwood market
Quality control and product presentation in Northern Ireland's hardwood sawmills
Harvesting techniques for the removal of thinnings from hardwood plantations
Promotion of locally grown timber.
6.2. THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF FARM GROWN TIMBER
There has been a significant increase in the take-up of farm woodland grants in the last
ten years. With changes in the consumption of red meat and dairy products forcing a
decrease in livestock farming it is likely that this trend towards farm forestry will
continue. We have already identified the market failures in this sector (with farmers
trying to sell poorly grown timber into a hostile market). The support and marketing
mechanisms that are in place for the state and estate softwood production are not
transferable to the general farming sector, with its diversity of interests and expertise.
Similarly, without some form of integration, this sector could not be serviced by
commercial woodland management consultants.
a) Support farm forestry co-operatives
For the reasons outlined above we recommend that the Forest Service support
proposals for an extension of the farm forestry co-operative movement. To avoid
duplication of scarce resources we suggest that the Forest Service provide technical
assistance (under commercial terms) to the farm forestry co-operatives with the existing
organisational support providing management and marketing assistance.
6.3. THE SALE OF LOCALLY GROWN SOFTWOOD TIMBER INTO THE
ESTABLISHED SOFTWOOD MARKETS
The failure of the softwood growers and sawmills to produce a product that is
acceptable to the existing softwood market must be seen as a significant weakness in
the marketing of this product. The poor grading and drying of locally grown timber and
its inherent unsuitability for many enduses were cited as reasons for this marketing
failure. To alleviate these marketing problems, we recommend that the following action
be taken.
a) Improve the drying of locally produced timber
The antagonism of the timber merchants towards locally grown softwood appeared to
be concentrated on the problems they encountered in the uneven drying of exposed
boards on top of heaves. As the heaves were progressively sold to customers, losses
due to warped boards increased to an unacceptable level. We recommend that the
sawmill industry adopt an acceptable standard moisture content for timber sales to the
construction industry.
b) Introduce new quality control standards into the sawmill sector
24
We understand that the EC are currently revising quality control standards for timber
and recommend that the sawmill industry implement these new standards at the earliest
practicable opportunity.
c) Support high value or quality product development
Both the Fintrac (1985) and Pieda (1994) reports recommended an expansion of further
processing of sawn timber and the encouragement of value added products. We
support these recommendations and suggest that priorities be given to those projects
that will lead to high value added or high quality products.
d) Promote the use of local softwoods in the construction sector
Many of the respondents we interviewed stressed the perceived technical limitations to
the utilisation of locally grown softwoods in the construction sector as a threat to its
utilisation. We are also aware of substantial research into the performance
characteristics of local softwood timber. We recommend that the findings of this
research is collated and that a technical bulletin is produced. This should be published
in the form of a booklet and be very widely circulated to architects, builders, sawmills,
timber merchants and schools and colleges. It should honestly describe the technical
characteristics of local softwood and clearly identify its limitations within the construction
sector.
e) Increase the production of quality sawlogs
We understand that a number of board mills are being developed in the Irish republic
and that these may become important customers for low grade sawlogs as well as
sawmill residue. We caution against the Forest Service altering its crop management to
concentrate its supply to these market outlets. We recommend that the opportunities for
marketing thinnings to these board mills be used to increase the production of quality
sawlogs to the Northern Ireland Sawmills.
f) Diversify planting where possible
The existing final markets for much of the locally grown softwood sawlogs are
predominantly low value products that are vulnerable to market contraction. For this
reason we recommend that the Forest Service reduce its exposure to these markets by
diversifying the species planted in state owned forests wherever the site conditions are
suitable.
7. REFERENCES
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management and marketing. NSWA report of the sixth annual conference.
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Fitzpatrick, H.M., 1965. The forests of Ireland. Record press, Bray.
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Fintrac Report, 1985. Review of the Timber Industry in Northern Ireland 1985. HMSO,
Belfast.
Forbes, A.C., 1906 English Estate Forestry. Edward Arnold, London.
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Gallagher, R., 1994 Farmer Forestry co-ops. Irish Timber and Forestry 3 (5) pp10.
Graham, T., 1980. Northern Ireland private forest inventory 1975 - 79. N.I. Forest
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Grayson, A.J., 1993. Private forestry policy in western Europe. CAB international, Oxon.
Huss, J., 1995. Broadleaves, an alternative to conifers in Ireland? Irish Forestry 52.
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Kula, E. 1988. The economics of forestry; modern theory and practice. Croom Helm,
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Murray, R., McCann, T. and Cooper, A., 1992. A land classification and landscape
ecological study of Northern Ireland. University of Ulster, Coleraine.
NIAO, 1992. Department of Agriculture Forest Service; Report by the comptroller and
auditor general for Northern Ireland. HMSO London.
McCracken, E., 1971. The Irish woods since Tudor times. David and Charles. Newton
Abbot.
Pieda Report. 1994. 1994 Timber industry review. LEDU, DOA, IDB Belfast
Turkettle, V., 1996. Facing up to some hard facts. Timber Trade Journal
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on forest products, market trends and prospects.
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