THE UK’S forestry industry should explore alternatives to Sitka spruce – but must not “write off” the species just yet.

That’s according to senior Confor figure John Bruce, who believes that, despite recent pest-related concerns, the softwood remains among the best options for the country’s commercial sector.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Ips typographus had been found on Sitka spruce for the first time. The pest has devastated woodlands across Europe in recent years, with Norway spruce particularly at risk.

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Appearing on a bonus edition of the Forestry Briefing (recorded at APF 2024), John was asked if Sitka is likely to remain a “bedrock of the industry”.

“Ips is a serious pest and it is concerning what has happened on the continent,” he said. "Ips loves and will attack stressed trees. At this stage, there has been a fantastic plant health response and a huge amount of effort goes in to monitor the pest.

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"Will this get into Sitka? We know it will attack stressed Sitka, as it did in a Norway spruce plantation in England.  That was a real alarm, and it shows how important it is to get it right.

"We need to look at alternatives, but for now Sitka is ahead of the rest. Generally speaking, there is no other tree that does what it does.

"I don't think we should be writing Sitka off. We need to think of rotation length as part of our resilience. We want to use more of it in our homes. 

John Bruce believes Sitka does have a future in the UK - but that alternatives should be explored John Bruce believes Sitka does have a future in the UK - but that alternatives should be explored (Image: FJ/Jack Haugh)

"We can't put our eggs in the one basket, but we shouldn't write off an important bedrock of the industry." 

John’s appearance on the Forestry Briefing marked the first time Forestry Journal’s increasingly popular round-up of the latest news has had a guest. During a lengthy discussion, Confor’s national manager for England also gave his thoughts on:

The future of forestry in England: "I am cautiously optimistic in the fact we have a Timber in Construction Roadmap, which sets out some plans for how we get more timber in construction, particularly in England. 

"There are massive opportunities, but we do have to look after our future supply.”

Timber import levels: "81 per cent of our timber is imported. That's a crazy number. Every time you tell someone, they don't believe that's right.

"When we are bringing timber into this country, potentially it could well have exploited or damaged other ecosystems. I know we have certification through FSC etc. But we need to be more self-sufficient.”

How England’s 2024/25 planting season is likely to go: "There is no doubt about it, we have ramped up a lot. We need to give more certainty for investment in equipment and contractors. There are some contractors now who are not doing planting, they are finding alternative work to sustain their income.

"16.5 per cent is the government target. We believe we should be going to 17.5 per cent.”

You can watch the full Forestry Briefing on our YouTube now, or listen on Spotify.