Which Trees For Homes?

In “Which Trees For Homes?” SEDA will investigate the long-term effects of land-use decisions on climate change and the timber chain, particularly in relation to affordable homes. This event will involve scientists, landowners, foresters, distributors and housebuilders.

SEDA want to help the community, landowners and land managers understand and visualise an alternative and productive ecological landscape that serves the climate and the community, while providing enough timber for local affordable housing. Starting with regional housing needs, SEDA will work backwards through the supply chain to estimate the number and type of trees required and where to grow them. What provision of sawmilling, timber processing and offsite production, all of which would create new types of employment in the area, is required to meet these needs?

SEDA will start with a tour of Crofthead forest by Andrew Macqueen (limited availability)

A roundtable discussion involving all stakeholders in the production and supply of timber will look at what needs to change in order to stimulate this sort of local and sustainable timber value chain. SEDA intend to identify obstacles and propose solutions to deliver a fair and just transition to net zero in the rural land-use sector. Key findings will help shape future Scottish Government policy, informing its Just Transition Plan for Land Use and Agriculture, the Scottish National Adaptation Plan"as well as wider climate policy. (Online attendance only for the discussion).

Short provocations will be given during the course of the day:

• Forest tour – Andrew Macqueen, Macqueen Silviculture
• Regenerative forestry including agroforestry – Andrew Barbour, Mains of Fincastle (remote)
• Short rotation forestry – Andrew Heald, Forestry consultant
• Timber science – Marlene Cramer, Edinburgh Napier University
• Alternative timber bioproducts – William Clark, Scottish Forestry
• Post oil-age homes – Neil Sutherland, Makar
• Community benefits and wealth building – Morag Paterson, Communities for Diverse Forestry
• Local sawmilling – Rob MacKenna, James Jones
• Processing including new technologies – engineered timber such as CLT – Peter Wilson, Mass Timber Academy
• Small-scale timber producers & processors – Archie McConnel, McConnel Wood Products

Artistic interludes will be provided by traditional fiddler Iain Fraser and poet Stuart Paterson.

Full details: www.seda.uk.net/which-trees-for-homes

Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seda-land-which-trees-for-homes