EAMONN WALL & CO 

     Woodland Design and Management

          Forestry and Arboriculture

              Landscape Design

                                                                          Improving the World with Trees for 30 Years

 Highlights 

 1 August 1992 - 1 August 2022

Planted 9.6 million trees.

Designed 500 woods under various grant schemes.

Harvested thousands of tonnes of timber.

Inspected many thousand trees and prepared Tree Survey Reports.

Carried out 145 farm conservation schemes.  

Promoted farm forestry and carried out the Native Hardwood Flooring Project, sponsored by Tubex.

Built numerous forest roads and footpaths, including the 19km Loch Leven Heritage Trail.

Prepared management plans for all kinds of native woodlands and conifer forests.

Promoted broadleaf silviculture, eg formative and high pruning, thinning etc.

In Edinburgh we moved a 25 tonne Strawberry tree, which is thriving.

Through our Graduate Training Scheme, we assisted over 40 foresters into the industry and are proud to see many of them holding senior positions nationwide.

We have put together eight forestry investment syndicates, bought nine woods and sold many.

Worked on over 150 golf courses, designed and planted arboretums and gardens.

Eamonn obtained a TechCert in Arboriculture 2007 and a Diploma in Garden Design from Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2017.  In addition to his original BSc/MSc.

CPD - attended courses and events run by ICF, RSFS, NWDG, SEDA, RBGE, Confor, FC/SF, AA, RFS, Arch+ Network, CCFG and Eamonn is currently Chair of TCDAS.

Attended overseas study tours in Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Finland, Chile, Estonia, Czechoslovakia (1992!), Denmark, Austria and Bavaria.

Published numerous articles, including ones on silviculture and arboriculture (pruning, weeding, trees and development), vehicles, grants, conferences and native woodlands.

Acquired and refurbished an old building into our offices, now heated by firewood produced from woods we planted locally 28 years ago. 

Our office has thus been on West Burnside now for all those 30 years. 

We also had an office in Nottinghamshire for ten years.

Supported charities, predominantly Tree Aid and Sight Savers International.

Company Update - Tree Dimensional

Welcome to Tree Dimensional our Company Update (Autumn 2021) - the last one being in September 2019 before world change via Covid.  Luckily for us our business was not unduly impacted by the virus - we have enough tree pests and diseases to keep us busy in any case!  So another busy year to report.

Woodland Design and Creation - last season (the forestry year runs from October) we planted 120,130 trees spread over a large number of complicated and interesting schemes.  The frozen winter kept us on our toes.  We planted native woods (oak, birch, rowan, hazel, etc) in the Pentlands near Carlops (habitat restoration), and on farms near Dundee, Largoward and Colinsburgh; a productive conifer (Sitka spruce) wood near Dollar; and a variety of woods comprising native broadleaves, conifers (Douglas fir, Norway spruce) and productive broadleaves (oak/beech and birch/sycamore/gean) on a farm near Cupar.  We also planted woods and hedges for pheasantry near Auchterarder and Ayr.

Tree Planting Schemes - we carried out numerous mini tree planting schemes and one comprising copper beech, Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis var digitalis), sweet chestnut, red oak, Deodar cedar and a Cappadocian maple (Acer cappadocicum rubrum).  These will provide fantastic autumn colour.  We recently came upon a very colourful woody shrub ideal for a garden setting, Disanthus cercidifolius (a bit like hazel).  In Scotland we have very few native woody shrubs, namely hazel, guelder rose and juniper.

Grants for Tree Planting and Aftercare - The Scottish Government's woodland grant scheme continues to annually encourage over 10,000ha of new woodland creation via its Forestry Grant Scheme, administered by the Scottish Forestry agency.  For larger schemes the grant can often easily cover all the costs and more, and an annual maintenance payment for five years ensures the trees become established with a programme of weeding (herbicide usually), deer/rabbit/hare control and beating-up (replacements), as and when required.  Pruning broadleaves and tube/vole guard removal is also very important.  Actually, following the late frost damage of May 2020 we have been pruning Sitka spruce too, singling multi leaders.  Other management, machinery and small tree planting/hedging grants are also available.

Wild Cherry in Tree Tubes - remember to monitor wild cherry (Prunus avium) in tubes as these guards will require early slitting/removal.  The horizontal lenticels on cherry trees can trap water if tight to the tubes and often this causes the bark to rot (necrosis) which can result in quick tree death.  So please be aware.

Woodland Management and Grey Squirrel Damage - over the years we have planted many productive broadleaves woods and these benefit greatly from formative pruning and, then in lifts, side and high pruning.  Periodic thinning follows.  Our office is heated from thinnings from a wood we planted 25 years ago.  One concern we have here is the damage grey squirrels can cause in certain areas.  We witnessed a lovely wood we planted near the M8/M73 junction east of Glasgow, which suddenly at age 14 suffered severe bark stripping by grey squirrels.  Seemingly this sudden attack on pole stage mixed broadleaves is very common in lowland England.  So do commence grey squirrel control asap if you have some on your land.  Funnily enough, wild cherry is the only tree grey squirrels don't attack.                                       

Timber Harvesting and Investment Forestry - during 2021, sawmills have seen world prices for timber double so have been able to offer our woodland owners a very good price for their standing timber.  Prices for standing timber were thus at record highs.  Sawlogs for construction demand the highest prices, followed by fencing, pallet production, pulp for paper, chip wood and fuelwood/biomass.  These high timber prices have certainly helped push up the value of commercial forests, and combined with carbon driven interest in trees, has created the perfect storm of tremendous prices being reached.  Of course the tax free benefits of forestry are being enjoyed now by many.  Covid has created more interest in small woodlands too.  All this means that acquiring woodlands is a very competitive activity with forests generally doubling in price over the past few years. 

We have been busy valuing woods for clients and last year we bought two woods for our forestry investment syndicates, luckily before prices raced ahead.  Forestry is a great green investment, with trees growing biologically at 4% to 5% per year tax free thank you.  However, timber prices are traditionally volatile and climate change might be altering the risk profile of forestry via increased pests and diseases, weather patterns, world supply and demand etc.  It is a complex picture.

Tree Surveys and Condition Reports - over the year we have undertaken a variety of tree surveys and condition reports.  Many as part of planning applications for building developments (British Standard 5837:2012 - Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - Recommendations) and many for the health and safety, and management of mature tree collections and arboretums.

Landscape and Garden Design Projects - this year we also prepared some interesting larger garden designs, and a landscape plan for a large HQ building.  In addition to his forestry and arboricultural qualifications, Eamonn also has a Diploma in Garden Design from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Consultancy - woodland management and consultancy projects take us all over the country, whilst the majority of our work is within one hour's drive from Dollar.  Though we do also manage forests near Lairg, St Andrews, Lochgilphead, Strachur, Huntly, Lauder and Girvan.

People - Covid has meant no overseas forestry trips for Eamonn, but he managed to test drive and review some new 4x4s.  He also spoke at a farm forestry event organised by the Soil Association and Scottish Forestry, and took advantage of the good weather for outdoor swimming.  Janine celebrated a special birthday and Jane took off to Oxfordshire on a training course.   We have a part-time vacancy for a like-minded professional. 

The answer is plant more trees - now what was the question?

Forestry Grant Scheme

The Scottish Rural Development Programme which includes grants for woodland creation and management was launched in April 2015.

Grants for woodland creation and management have been separated out into the new Forestry Grant Scheme.  Though still part of the SRDP, it is administered by Scottish Forestry.  

 See below for a summary sheet on Woodland Creation.  We have also prepared information sheets on the range of woodland management grants which include restocking grants and Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT), and a third information sheet on the more unusual grants for forest infrastructure, machines and co-operation.  Please contact us for copies of these. 

Lawhill Community Woodland

Eamonn Wall & Co designed and planted this woodland on the edge of Dollar back in March 1996.  The land is owned by Arndean Estate and was planted with grant aid from a Forestry Commission woodland grant scheme, with a community woodland supplement.

The wood comprises almost 10ha, 50% conifers (Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and a little Scots pine and larch), and 50% broadleaves (including oak, sycamore, ash, beech, with some hazel, holly, sweet chestnut and alder).  A series of grass paths lead you around the wood and up to Lawhill, where a small copse of Scots pine exist and from where panoramic views over the county and over to the Forth Bridges delight visitors.  A small car park was created.

The wood was very well used over its first 20 years, but began to look a little unloved as the lower paths became muddy, a bridge over the burn deteriorated and the ash suffered decline from ash dieback disease.

So back in 2017 it was decided to upgrade the woodland and thin the woods removing all the ash, thinning the Sitka spruce (removing every fifth line), and removing leaning and blown trees among the Douglas fir stand.  Funding from the Forestry Commission, under their WIAT (Woods in and Around Towns) grant scheme was obtained by us.  This provided grant aid towards the cost of preparing the woodland management plan and, once approved under the FGS (Forestry Grant Scheme) WIAT, capital grants for a new bridge, repairing the stone dyke, stone paths and new signs.  The car park was also enlarged and upgraded.

The signs went up in December 2019 and the woodland is now, once again, a fantastic experience for locals.  There is now a circular route suitable for wheelchairs.  Eamonn Wall & Co will continue to manage the wood and provide an annual guided walk.  Well done Arndean Estate.

Langhill Woodland Creation and Rural Business Diversification Event

In November 2017, Eamonn Wall & Co along with the Forestry Commission, ran an informative day to discuss with landowners the current forestry grant schemes (FGS) available in Central Scotland. 

The day was attended by approximately 40 landowners and consisted of talks from various representatives in the forest and agriculture industry. The talks highlighted various topics including: opportunities for integrating forestry into rural businesses, the current Forestry Grant Schemes, woodland creation and forestry as an investment, finance for woodland creation and the animal health benefits of shelterbelt plantations.  A guided walk showcased the recently planted woodlands under the FGS at Langhill Farm. 

 It was successful day with many attending, and plenty of new interest in woodland creation within Scotland. 

Afternoon Farm Walk with Tubex

On 21 September 2017, Eamonn Wall & Co accompanied various representatives of Tubex for a farm walk to discuss and show the use of Tubex tree guards within woodland creation. The walk took place at Aldie Estate where various woods have been planted and are managed by Eamonn Wall & Co.

The members of Tubex were in Scotland for a meeting and were able to fit the afternoon into their agenda. Various conifer and broadleaved plantations were visited showcasing the success of Tubex tree guards. The walk provided an opportunity to see the product in use and show how beneficial it can be to woodland creation. 

The Tubex team thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon as it was an opportunity to get out in the field and see their product in action.

With the help of grant aid from ConFor's Forest Industries Education Fund,  Eamonn Wall was a member of the study tour to Chile and Argentina organised by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.  The aim of the tour was to visit a range of landscapes mostly containing native woodland habitats. Thirty people attended with two staff from the RBGE, Martin Gardener and Dr Sabina Gardner, both of whom led the tour and have been to Chile on many occasions.  In fact Martin, in particular, is perhaps the world expert on Chilean flora.  He also heads up ICONic, the conifer world conservation programme.

The trip also coincided with the publication of a very special book containing the painting of 80 Chilean plants.  These were painted by three Turkish artists over an eight-year period and all the paintings featured in their own art exhibition at the John Hope Building at the RBGE earlier in 2016.  A Spanish edition of the book was recently published (Spring 2016) in Chile and Martin presented a copy to the Chilean President......

"As well as the two RBGE members we also had different local guides joining us on the trip for the three sections of Chile we visited.  Most of the time was spent in Chile with a few days in Argentina, and ranged from sea level up and through the Andes.

We are all aware that Chile is a very long country with Peru along its narrow northern boundary (where lies the Atacama desert) and Argentina along its eastern boundary with the Pacific ocean to the west.  Of course the eastern boundary is really the high Andes, which contains Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America.  In botanical terms Chile is almost an isolated island and contains a huge number of plants only found in Chile, in fact 46% are unique comprising of 2,266 plants.  There are about 63 native trees (50 endemic to Chile) but many more woody shrubs.   Chile has a human population of 18m, of which 5m live in its capital Santiago.

And it was at Santiago that our trip commenced with a brief tour of the city to see the range of street trees grown in the city.  Despite having a large range of native trees to plant, most of the street trees were exotics including for example;  London plane, copper plum, Ginko biloba, ash, Magnolia grandiflora, rubber and Persian violet.  Our first guide quickly brought us up to speed on Chilean history and it was fascinating to learn that Chile became a Republic way back in 1818.  Its last Governor under Spanish occupation was Ambrose O'Higgins, an engineer from the west of Ireland who had joined the Spanish navy.  His son Bernardo together with a San Martin, from Argentina, forced the Spanish out of these two countries, and so Bernardo became the first leader of the new Republic.  Interestingly the current President of Ireland is Michael D Higgins.  Every Chilean town and village now contain squares and roads named after their famous leaders.  I felt at home already.  Native Chileans are from the Mapuche tribe and are more common in the south (perhaps 10% of the population there).

We quickly departed the city heading north to visit the La Campana National Park.  This park is mostly woodland and its' mountain,  La Campana, (the bell) was climbed by Darwin in 1830. The woodland was amazing containing the last main concentration of elephant palms (Jubaea chilensis) or Chilean Palm.  The trunks look like large elephant legs.  We also got to see the large range of native trees and woody shrubs.  I was aware that Chile is a narrow country (about 120 miles), flowing from the Andes down to the sea.  However, there is also a coastal range of mountains reaching 3,000 feet, so the central plain is in fact rather narrow.

Gunnera is perhaps one of the most common Chilean plants we see in the UK which looks like a large rhubarb, so it was very interesting to see it growing in its homeland. The Chilean firebush tree (Embothrium coccineum) with its lovely bright red flowers was a common sight throughout our trip.  This is also to be seen in the UK, and in fact the RBGE contains around 400 Chilean plants making it one of the largest collections worldwide.

After a visit to Zapallar, on the Pacific coast, where we saw a huge range of colourful plants and interesting fauna (eg sea lions and pelicans) and walked through a native coastal broadleaved woodland where exotic trees are being removed, it was time to fly 700km south to Temuco.  From here we headed east up into the Andes to stay two nights among the volcanos and amazing monkey puzzle (Araucaria) trees.  As we drove up the mountains we could see the monkey puzzle forests in the high distance and then suddenly the pine forest became a forest of monkey puzzles.  In some ways it looks like a Caledonian pine forest but of course it is growing on the sides of active volcanos, snow covered, and some of the trees are over a thousand years old.  The under growth is often dense bamboo, which was not something I was expecting.  Also growing in the mountains were four out of the eight southern beech trees (Nothofagus spp) native to Chile.  Some are evergreen, some deciduous, some very large (eg dombeyi) and some small growing high up in the mountains (eg Antartica).

We then visited a temperate rain forest where the variety of trees was wonderful and the sheer huge size of the southern beech trees amazing, much larger than our native trees in the UK.  Located on the side of a volcano which erupted only ten years ago added more interest indeed.  It was then time to head south again but this time by bus.  We were heading for the Lake District and to the town of Puerto Varas located on a large lake with the famous Osorno volcano in the background.  Along the way we saw many forest plantations containing mostly Pinus radiata, with some eucalyptus and a small element of Douglas fir. Small sawmills were common enough.  In many places the countryside was not unlike that of the UK.

Located not far from the town we visited a reserve where the highlight is the Alerce tree, Fitzroya cupressoides, named after Captain Fitzroy from Darwin's ship The Beagle. These are very old trees and one specimen is 3,622 years old. This part of Chile was once covered by a huge forest of Alerce trees up to 50m tall but during the 18th and 19th Centuries they were all felled for their valuable timber. The only mature trees that remain are protected in this park.  We then visited an area settled by mainly German farmers back in the 1850s at the invitation of the Chilean Government.

It was now time to head for Argentina by boat through the Andes to Bariloche, which would be our final destination before flying home in two days via Buenos Aires.  The boat trip actually comprised three boat trips.  Firstly on a large boat for a few hours where we then stayed overnight in a hotel.  The next morning we passed through a very unusual passport control and by bus up through a beautiful broadleaved forest into Argentina.  We then got onto a smaller boat along another lake followed by an hour's walk to go aboard another large boat for an amazing two-hour trip through the mountains to Bariloche.

A great study tour indeed."  Eamonn Wall

For communities in Africa, trees mean life.   TREE AID is the UK's only forestry based development agency, doing something simple so that communities in Africa can do something amazing.  By helping villagers in some of the poorest countries in the world plant more trees, protect existing trees and manage tree resources well, TREE AID enables people to grow themselves better futures.

Eamonn Wall & Co are pleased to support TREE AID and to find out more about TREE AID's work visit www.treeaid.org.uk

FGS Information Sheet 

GRANTS  FOR  WOODLAND  CREATION

The new Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) opened in April 2015 and is run by Scottish Forestry (formerly the Forestry Commission) as a stand-alone scheme within the larger Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) administered by RPID for the Scottish Government.  It provides grants for woodland creation and management, and for forestry machines, roads and co-operation.

The woodland creation grants are paid out in two parts: capital grants for planting, fencing and protection in year one, followed by annual maintenance payments for five years. Additional initial payments are also available in Central Scotland and elsewhere.  All grants are tax free and are scored against set criteria.

Basic Payment Scheme may be claimed on land planted for the duration of the 20 year FGS scheme.  

Payments vary with type of woodland (eg broadleaf or conifer) being planted - minimum width of 15m.

PLANTING GRANT RATES:

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS:

1.     Central Scotland Contribution

- Core Area £2,500/ha (max 40ha and 1km from population of 2,000+ people)

- Outer Core Area £1,500/ha (max 65ha)

- Fringe Area £750/ha (max 40ha)

Stirling, Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Lothians, Clackmannanshire, Lanark, Ayrshire, and parts of Fife - all part of the Central Scotland Green Network areas (CSGN).

 

2.     Target Areas (additional 12%)

- Areas identified as being preferred or potential in the relevant local authorities Woodland Strategy (or equivalent) and apply to:

- Conifer (Sitka spruce)

- Diverse conifer (other than Sitka spruce)

- Productive broadleaves

- Cairngorms National Park, and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

-  Woodlands for Water (SEPA), The Clyde Climate Forest, Crofts and native woods in certain Highland areas.

CAPITAL GRANT RATES:

Tree Shelters:

Tree shelters will generally only be considered for grant support on small areas.  The presumption is that fencing will be the preferred method of protecting new woodland.  However tree shelters may be supported for all Woodland Creation options where they are a lower-cost option.  SF will assess the silvicultural appropriateness and the value for money of the tree protection proposal.  There is also a preference for fencing and tubes to not exceed 150% of the planting grant.

Grant Payment Timings:

• Capital grants are claimed once works completed and can take three months to arrive.

• Maintenance payments are claimed each year on the Single Application Form (SAF), submitted pre 15 May each year with payments following on in April the following year.

Eamonn Wall & Co:

We provide a complete woodland design and management service to farmers and landowners throughout Scotland.  We have much experience in designing new woodlands and  obtaining grant approvals, and  undertaking all woodland management operations, including fencing, roading, drainage, ground preparation, tree planting, weeding, pruning, thinning, tree safety inspections, and timber harvesting and marketing.  

Eamonn Wall & Co

Woodland Design and Management

15 West Burnside

Dollar, FK14 7DP

Tel:  01259 743212

Email:  consultants@eamonnwall.co.uk

www.eamonnwall.co.uk

Eamonn Wall & Co                                                                                                                                                                                         August 2022

Loch Leven Heritage Project

The project was completed in May 2014 and opened to the public in June 2014.  It is widely used by both cyclists and walkers.  The seeds for this ambitious project to create a  path all the way around Loch Leven, near Kinross were originally sown by the members of TRACKS (The Rural Access Committee for Kinross-shire) over 10 years ago. Following several years of feasibility studies, environmental impact studies, fundraising and local landowner negotiations, the project was formally launched in November 2006 by Rhona Brankin MSP.  Funders for this £3m project include HLF, SNH, Perth & Kinross Council, Forestry Commission, The Gannochy Trust and others. 

A one hundred year old Strawberry Tree (arbutus menziesii), one of only 15 growing in Scotland, is having to be re-located due to building development at a site within Edinburgh City. We are pleased to say that Eamonn Wall & Co has been retained to oversee this important project. This has involved initial pruning of the canopy and subsequently the all important root pruning was carried out in two separate operations 12 months apart in preparation for the move. This work has been carried out sensitively over a 4 year span and culminated in the actual move on November 6th 2007.  This involved digging around the tree and creating a root ball which was lifted by a 500 tonne crane using a sling system. The tree is now guyed in its new location (35m from the original). A trickle watering system was in place for two years. Seven years on the tree is alive and well!

Photo taken in Sandycove, Co Dublin!                                       

Eamonn Wall & Co have a useful field guide/article about the pruning of young trees available from their office in Dollar. To contact us for your complementary copy of the guide click here

We have been very pleased with the success of our publication called the "Beauty of Trees" which explains some of the many benefits which trees can bring to our lives. If you are interested in reserving your free copy then please contact us at Dollar.

• Steady natural growth of forests producing timber combined with attractive incentives;
• A natural physically growing commodity, biological growth is about 5% per annum and forms the fundamental element of forestry investment;
• A tangible asset you can visit;
• Tax free returns;
• Grants available towards cost of management activities;
• Increasing demand for timber for woodfuel, CO² reduction, increasing world populations, restrictions on timber felling in some countries and an expanding timber processing industry in Scotland has strengthened demand for timber in the UK;
• Low correlation to equities and commercial properties;
• High agricultural land values. Investment returns on amenity woods comes from an increase in asset value rather than timber growth;
• Low management costs in relation to crop value;
• Scottish Government committed to enhancing the forest industry and increasing forest cover;
• Annually UK forest sales are around £100m; and
• Timeframe of ownership can be from five years upwards.  However the longer the better, but timber price fluctuations can impact values in the short term.

Please contact us if you require further information.

                                                                    Highlights of 25 Years of Eamonn Wall & Co - 1992-2017

Planted 7 million trees.

Designed 500 woods under various grant schemes.

Harvested thousands of tonnes of timber.

Inspected many thousand trees and prepared Tree Survey Reports.

Carried out 145 farm conservation schemes.

Acquired and refurbished an old building into our offices, now heated by firewood produced from woods we planted 23 years ago.

Built numerous forest roads and footpaths, including the 19km Loch Leven Heritage Trail.

Prepared management plans for all kinds of woodlands and conservation schemes.

In Edinburgh we moved a 25 tonne Strawberry tree, which is thriving.

Through our Graduate Training Scheme, we assisted over 25 foresters into the industry.

We have put together four forestry investment syndicates, bought five woods and sold one.

Worked on over 150 golf courses, designed and planted arboretums and gardens.

Promoted farm forestry and carried out the Native Hardwood Flooring Project, sponsored  by Tubex.

CPD - attended courses and events run by ICF, RSFS, NWDG, SEDA, RBGE, Confor, FC, AA, RFS, Arch+ Network and CCFG.

Eamonn obtained a TechCert in Arboriculture and a Diploma in Garden Design from Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Attended overseas study tours in Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Finland, Chile, Estonia, Czechoslovakia and Denmark.

Published numerous articles, including ones on pruning, trees and development, vehicles, grants, conferences, weeding and native woodlands.

Supported charities including Tree Aid and Sight Savers International.

Promoted quality broadleaved silviculture.

Staff and guests aboard the Discovery Ship in Dundee for a dinner party to celebrate the first twenty years of Eamonn Wall & Co, August 2012.

(L-R) Alastair Seaman, Iain Catterwell, Robert Brice, Michael Wall, Gordon MacLarty, Malcolm Young, Eamonn Wall, Jane Brindley, Andrew Nugent, Simon Brindley, Nicola Moyes, John Langan, Russell Napier, Seamus Neesham.

Woodland Design / Planting & Establishment / Grants / Management / Conservation / Supplies / Tree Surgery / Trees & Golf / Consultancy / Land Reclamation / Trees & Buildings / Mapping / Harvesting & Marketing

Overview / News / Staff / Contact / Links