Continuous Cover Forestry - Dumfries and Galloway
Learn to use cutting edge technology to enable improved management and conservation practice
When - Wed 16th – Thur 17th September 2026
Who - Prof. Edward Wilson
Where - Barwhillanty Estate, Parton
Cost - £100 (lunch provided by D&G Woodlands)
Course Description
Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is an increasingly vital silvicultural approach designed to build climate resilience, enhance forest biodiversity, protect soils, and sustain carbon storage while securing regular timber cash flow without the site disruption of clear-felling.
Despite these recognised benefits, South West Scotland has long experienced a widespread regional hesitation toward CCF. This stems from concerns surrounding severe wind hazard exposure, wet peaty soils, and the predominance of unthinned Sitka spruce plantations across upland landscapes.
Delivered by Professor Edward Wilson (Silviculture Academy) in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands (D&G Woodlands), this practical 2-day course provides a realistic, evidence-based roadmap for CCF in Dumfries & Galloway. It directly addresses regional misgivings by establishing clear, site-specific boundaries:
1. Defining the Limits: Examining high-risk, non-candidate stands (such as unthinned upland Sitka spruce on shallow peats) where CCF transformation is unviable and clear-felling remains appropriate.
2. Unlocking Regional Potential: Focussing on candidate stands where CCF excels in D&G—specifically broadleaf woodlands and low-elevation conifer plantations on deeper mineral soils (brown earths and deep podzols).
Learning Objectives
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Silvicultural Systems & Science: Understand the mechanics of irregular shelterwood, group selection, canopy light regimes, and natural regeneration dynamics.
- Site Diagnosis & Wind Hazard Architecture: Evaluate D&G site conditions using soil profiles, rooting depth, and exposure (DAMS hazard scores) to differentiate candidate vs. non-candidate stands.
- Tree Classification Systems: Master visual assessment tools (Kraft classes, AFI visual metrics) to rate individual tree vigour, crown form, timber quality, and stand stability.
- Practical Tree Marking: Gain hands-on field experience in marking trees for removal to achieve specific crown release, frame-tree selection, and target-diameter harvesting goals.
- Operational Planning: Plan low-impact harvesting operations (extraction racks, machine selection, soil protection) and analyse standing volume increment and financial yields compared to clear-felling.
- Biotic Risks & Regeneration Control: Develop practical strategies for managing deer browsing, canopy gap sizes, and competing vegetation under local Scottish conditions.
Evidence-Based Site Diagnosis for South West Scotland:
CCF can have a role to play in Dumfries and Galloway. This course establishes a clear diagnostic boundary:
- Non-Candidate Stands (High Windthrow Risk): High-elevation (DAMS score greater than 16), unthinned Sitka spruce on shallow peats or wet surface water gleys. Once wind stability is lost or live crowns recede, CCF transformation is unviable.
- Candidate Stands (High Success Potential): Lowland and mid-slope sites (DAMS score less than 15) on deeper mineral soils (brown earths, deep podzols), actively thinned Sitka spruce plantations, and broadleaf/mixed woodlands.
This event is delivered through an innovative partnership between the Silviculture Academy, Future Woodlands Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, with our thanks to Barwhillanty Estate for hosting the sessions. The ticket price is subsidised from that normally charged thanks to input from our partners. The event includes lunch provided on both days by the amazing team at Barwhillanty Estate. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please get in touch.
Location
Barwhillanty Estate Office
Parton
Dumfries & Galloway
DG7 3NS