Investors branching out with forest buys

Demand exceeding supply as businesses look to add eco credentials

Demand is outstripping supply for forest property, as investors seek to branch out into woodland at “unprecedented levels”.

Property consultants Bidwells, which has its Scottish headquarters in Perth, said interest was not restricted to mature woodland, but land with the potential to be used for forestry.

Raymond Henderson, head of Bidwells’ forestry team, said the tangible nature of woodland ownership and its strong corporate and social responsibility credentials have only added to its appeal.

The industry had also quickly adapted to the demands of the Covid19 restrictions to continue providing essential material.

He said: “In order to maintain essential supply lines, forestry activity such as timber harvesting to supply manufacturers of packaging and pallets and to maintain supplies of biofuels continued.

“Social distancing measures for those working in forests were put in place and work programmes such as new woodland creation and replanting of harvested sites carried on, albeit the logistics of doing so were often challenging.

“Coronavirus remains, but so do other major issues such as the climate change emergency, where forestry provides key elements of mitigation and a green-led recovery.”

A number of forests and areas of land suitable for tree planting have been marketed through the course of the epidemic, attracting large amounts of interest and record prices.

The firm, which last year celebrated its 180th anniversary, has seen the rural sector largely unaffected by the pandemic although there has been a greater demand for professional advice.

The sector growth comes against the backdrop of a Scottish Government forestry strategy which was introduced last year and runs to 2029.

The strategy seeks to increase forest and woodland cover to 21% of the total area of Scotland by 2032, and increase