The project aims to encourage greater use of Scots pine in higher value niche markets, as a basis for supporting forestry related enterprises. It will improve understanding among architects and designers of the versatility and environmental credentials of Scots pine in construction. Demonstrate low cost production techniques that could be employed ... More...

The project aims to encourage greater use of Scots pine in higher value niche markets, as a basis for supporting forestry related enterprises. It will improve understanding among architects and designers of the versatility and environmental credentials of Scots pine in construction. Demonstrate low cost production techniques that could be employed by small scale wood product manufacturers to add value to timber. Develop new resource assessment and pricing tools that better recognise and value high quality timber, to incentivise forest managers to adopt more intensive forest management regimes. Finally new forest management will be produced to encourage the production of a versatile, sustainable future resource.

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“Stimulating the development and optimal utilisation of the Scots pine resource as a basis for supporting sustainable rural enterprises” The project has four main objectives: Improving understanding of the properties of Scots pine timber and market conditions across the NPP area Demonstrating innovative uses of Scots pine and enco... More...

“Stimulating the development and optimal utilisation of the Scots pine resource as a basis for supporting sustainable rural enterprises”

 The project has four main objectives:

1. Improving understanding of the properties of Scots pine timber and market conditions across the NPP area
   
2. Demonstrating innovative uses of Scots pine and encouraging greater collaboration throughout the supply chain
   
3. Developing forest resource assessment tools for forest managers coupled with new pricing systems that better reflect variations in timber quality
   
4. Dissemination of new guidance on growing high quality Scots pine timber
   

 

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Work Package 2 Market review - An assessment of roundwood timber markets in respective partner countries. Technical Review - Consolidation of existing research, across the northern periphery, on Scots pine raw material properties together with an assessment of potential end use markets. Work Package 3 Producer Groups – Establishment... More...

Work Package 2

• Market review - An assessment of roundwood timber markets in respective partner countries.
• Technical Review - Consolidation of existing research, across the northern periphery, on Scots pine raw material properties together with an assessment of potential end use markets.

Work Package 3

• Producer Groups – Establishment of producer group discussion forums to encourage a more integrated approach to market development
• Product development – Production and development of Scots pine products including: glue laminated timber, post and beam building and Scots pine cladding.
• Innovation workshop – Hold an international workshop for engineering and design students to devise and showcase new Scots pine product concepts.
• Design with Pine – Run an international architectural design competition focusing on the use of Scots pine timber construction components.

Work Package 4

• Development of a user friendly PREHAS forest resource assessment software for forest managers requiring only basic site information.

Work Package 5

• Development of new forestry guidance on growing high quality Scots pine, supported by case studies from partner countries.
• Study to Norway to find out about the challenges they face in growing and marketing Scots pine, and training initiatives that they offer for forest owners.

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Publications The project has published a market report that gives an overview of roundwood timber markets in Scotland, Sweden, Finland and Norway. The report gives the reader an impression of the different scales of production and timber use, techniques for assessing timber quality, marketing, challenges facing each country and the perceived optio... More...

Publications

The project has published a market report that gives an overview of roundwood timber markets in Scotland, Sweden, Finland and Norway. The report gives the reader an impression of the different scales of production and timber use, techniques for assessing timber quality, marketing, challenges facing each country and the perceived options for market expansion –available at www.pineinfo.eu.

A technical review of the properties of Scots pine raw material and sawn wood is being finalised and should be complete by the end of the year. The in depth report is aimed at engineers and architects to improve their understanding of the possible applications of Scots pine and encourage its use in construction. The key findings from the review will be used to produce promotional material for manufacturers using Scots pine.

Events & workshops

An innovation workshop to develop new Scots pine products was held at Glenmore Lodge, in the Cairngorms National Park, for engineering, design and forestry students from Scotland, Sweden and Finland. A presentation about the event can be accessed via the project website and 3-d display models of the best designs are being produced for future project events.

Study tours

Forest managers from across the partnership took part in a 5 day study tour to Norway in September to learn more about Scots pine forest management, timber processing and its use in construction. Again a brief report about the trip is available on the project website.

A further study tour is planned to Norway in April aimed at timber processors and architects to learn more about  small scale wood engineering such as lamination and Brechtstapel that allow lower grade timber to be used in higher value construction products.

Early next year the project is planning to hold a workshop targeted to encourage greater collaboration in the forestry sector covering topics such as reasons for and types of collaborative, how to set them up and the sources of funding that are available.

Product Development

Trials of home grown Scots pine cladding are underway, the work comprises of 3 main tasks: establish a grading criteria; exposure trial to assess performance particularly in relation to movement and weathering; and there will also be an in-situ fungal decay measurements at Swiss Cottage near Fochabers, the oldest completely timber framed and clad building in Scotland. The intention is that the trial findings affirm the suitability of home grown Scots pine in cladding production.

A new forest stand assessment tool (PREHAS) has been developed and is planned to be accessible via the project website by the end of the year. PREHAS is software that has been developed for forest owners and managers that gives them an accurate breakdown of harvestable timber volume and quality from basic site information.

Guidance Booklet

Management guidance on growing high quality Scots pine timber is currently being produced, supported by case studies from across the partnership area. A case study on Rothiemurchus estate, one of the most well known pinewoods in the Cairngorm National Park is currently available on the project website. The guidance booklet will be in a factsheet format so that users can quickly find specific information they are looking for.

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