HW Forestry Ltd worked with a Pembrokeshire landowner to create a new 27ha woodland as part of a farm diversification project that would deliver both environmental and economic benefits. In 2018 the site was selected for the Glastir Woodland Creation Scheme administered by Welsh Government. We undertook all necessary consultation work required to ensure the scheme met the UK Forest Standard and conditions of the grant and submitted a woodland creation design plan. The landowner was consulted at every stage and following the offer of a contract by Welsh Government our client entered into our fixed price four year Tree Planting Agreement to plant and maintain the new woodlands.

Planting took place in winter 2018. Prior to planting the conifer plantations the ground was mounded by excavator to promote successful establishment. In excess of 63,000 trees from 12 different tree species were planted by hand a programme of maintenance began the following spring. The landowner was awarded a Bronze medal for woodland creation at the Royal Welsh Show in July 2018. The trees are now 2 years old and are growing well. The creation of substantial areas of new woodland have been achieved and the costs will be entirely covered by the grants. Part of the grant, future timber sales and the sale of carbon credits will provide the landowner with a range of income streams.

In 2019 we planted an additional 2ha broadleaved shelterbelt under the same scheme to improve woodland connectivity between the new farm woodlands and external woodlands and hedgerows.

HW Forestry Ltd has now registered the site with the UK Woodland Carbon Scheme and is currently working towards validating the woodlands to enable the landowner to sell sequestered carbon credits, fulfilling in part the environmental objectives of the woodland creation project as well as providing a further income stream in addition to ongoing grant payments.