The National Forest

• All about the Forest

• Making Woods Work
• Woodland Services and Products

Developing the woodland economy in and around The National Forest

Making Woods Work

The National Forest has developed impressively over the past 15 years. Woodland cover in the area has increased from around 6% to over 18%, twice the national average for England. 7.8 million trees have already been planted and the intention is to continue woodland creation. Many woodlands are growing and soon, thinning and management will result in a significant volume of timber for logs, woodchips, craft uses, fencing and even buildings.

Making Woods Work, a project supported by East Midlands Development Agency encourages and supports forest based businesses to grow, helping woodland management and creating jobs to ensure the long-term future of The National Forest.

• Read more: Making Woods Work (1.6mb)

When the Forest was created in 1995 there were only a handful of woodland based businesses working in and around the Forest. There are now a range of companies that offer woodland management and businesses that make and/or sell a range of woodland products. For more details on those suppliers see our comprehensive listing 'Woodland Services and Products'.

If you are especailly interested in biomass - the use of wood (either logs or woodchips) for heating, please see Woodfuel in and around The National Forest (385kb).