IT'S been another year of ups and downs for forestry, with headlines from the last 12 months dominated by some of 2024's biggest events.
Whether it was a major forestry firm having its forest management certificates suspended or the halting of forestry work at a major plantation, it has certainly kept Forestry Journal on its toes.
As we bring 2024 to a close, here are our five most-read online stories, which show just how varied the last year has been.
1. Volkswagen Amarok review: Can it beat the Ford Ranger?
BY EAMONN WALL, PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY
"THE new VW Amarok pickup truck was developed as a joint project between VW and Ford.
"However, both the Amarok and Ford Ranger share the same production line in the same factory in South Africa. Both share the same engines and chassis etc, with only mild design differences to the body skins.
"The front design of the two vehicles is the most obvious difference. Strangely, the Amarok does not have the rear side step in the body which is very handy when the trucks are not fitted with a rear canopy. The interiors are very similar too."
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
2. Forestry: Sawmill insider on dealing with oversized oak
BY VOICE, PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER
"From oversized logs to childbirth.
"It’s Monday morning and, as I approach the mill, I know what lies ahead is the immediate repair to the treatment plant after the vacuum pump gave up the ghost last Saturday. Fortunately, the two old guys who help with repairs on a Saturday had lifted the new one into position, making the rewiring process a fairly straightforward job. Provided, of course, the workforce can remain on task and allow me the time and space to complete the job. I usually have two people helping me on the main saw, so I redeploy them to firewood while I get on with the spannering."
READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE
3. Tilhill Forestry: UK firm has forest management certificates suspended
BY JACK HAUGH, PUBLISHED IN APRIL
"ONE of the UK's largest forestry firms had its forest management certificates suspended.
"Tilhill Forestry's FSC and PEFC Forest Management Certificates were paused on April 10 after repeated "non-conformities".
"It's understood the suspension was dished out as a result of PPE failures at one of the group's sites."
The certification was subsequently reinstated.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
4. Forestry contractor fined after worker left paralysed by falling tree
BY JACK HAUGH, PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER
"A FORESTRY worker was left paralysed from the stomach down after a tree landed on him.
"A 69ft (21m) ash tree fell on the 61-year-old man (then 58) when it was cut incorrectly during ash dieback clearance on a Wiltshire estate.
"He suffered eight broken ribs, a broken pelvis, two broken ankles, a collapsed lung and internal bleeding, spending four months in hospital and being placed in an induced coma.
"The contractor responsible for the injury - suffered in January 2022 - was fined following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)."
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
5. Stobo Hope: Forestry work halted as 'new evidence' comes to light
BY JACK HAUGH, PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER
"ALL forestry work at a woodland creation scheme in the Scottish Borders was halted with immediate effect.
"The drastic move by Scottish Forestry came after "new evidence" emerged ahead of a legal challenge over the 700-hectare Stobo Hope plantation.
"Officials said they were made aware that "blanket herbicide spraying" was carried out at the site - near the John Buchan Way - prior to the woodland-creation application being submitted to the government agency, which subsequently approved the proposal."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here