Tributes paid to Bill Mason after his unexpected death

William L "Bill" Mason, perhaps best known in recent times as the chair of the Continuous Cover Forestry Group (CCFG), died unexpectedly at the weekend. 

Having led the CCFG for 10 years, he was also a key silvicultural researcher at Forest Research for several decades, publishing numerous papers during that time. Elsewhere, he was actively involved in the Forest Policy Group and previously served as a trustee with the Scottish Forestry Trust. 

“It is difficult to find the words for the loss of such a lovely man, a real gentleman and true forester to his core,” said Chris Tracey, Scotland coordinator at the CCFG.

Bill Mason in the April 2007 edition of Forestry Journal (Image: FJ archive)

“He is a great loss to forestry as a whole as well as obviously to ourselves. Our deepest sympathy extends to his family.”

After joining Forest Research in 1982, Bill  developed a career as a senior research leader, serving at the organisation until his retirement in 2012. During that time he worked with foresters in Europe (and further afield – including New Zealand and China). In recent years, he shared his wisdom with many early career researchers as an FR research fellow. 

Professor Chris Quine, chief scientist at Forest Research, said: "The UK forest scene recently lost one of its luminaries with the sudden death of Bill Mason.

"Over a long and productive career at Forest Research (FR), Bill helped shape the course of upland silviculture, promoted rigorous applied field research, and enhanced the skills of many forest practitioners and scientists.

“Bill will leave a large gap as a colleague and friend – and forest visits will be all the poorer for the absence of his distinctive purple cap.

"Many tributes from colleagues have highlighted his modesty and approachability to all, regardless of their seniority and the joy to be obtained in learning from his experience. Bill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed.”

Bill was also known for his long-standing interest in using continuous-cover forestry (CCF) to diversify even-aged plantation forests, and attempted to apply these principles in the management of family woodlands in the English Midlands.

A statement from the FPG read: “It's with great sadness we have learn of the passing of Bill Mason, a member of FPG and great friend and colleague to a vast number of foresters across the land. RIP Bill.” 

During the recent Forest Policy Group conference, Bill provided valuable insight and opinion (Image: FJ/Jack Haugh)

"Terribly sad news," added forester Andrew Heald. "A lovely man, who was very supportive to so many of us."

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A statement from the Institute of Charterer Foresters (ICF) read: "Bill was a long-serving member of the Institute whose passion and knowledge contributed greatly to the forestry community. Our thoughts are with his family."