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Softwood

Data for softwood fencing are obtained from the Survey of Round Fencing Manufacturers. Figures for other uses are reported by manufacturers or are estimated by representatives of the wood processing industries.

Around 1.6 million green tonnes of UK softwood were estimated to have been used directly for woodfuel (including biomass energy) in 2015, an increase of 7% from the previous year (Table 2.24). A further 298 thousand green tonnes of UK softwood were consumed by round fencing manufacturers and 164 thousand green tonnes for other uses in 2015.

Table 2.24 Miscellaneous uses of UK softwood roundwood, 2006-2015
Year Fencing Woodfuel1 Other2 Total
thousand green tonnes
2006 274 100 114 488
2007 319 200 113 633
2008 359 300 128 787
2009 367 650 160 1 178
2010 349 900 135 1 384
2011 363 900 145 1 408
2012 338 1 000 154 1 492
2013 332 1 250 191 1 773
2014 317 1 500 188 2 004
2015 298 1 600 164 2 062

Source: Survey of Round Fencing Manufacturers, industry associations.

Notes:

1. Woodfuel derived from stemwood. Includes estimates of roundwood use for biomass energy. The figures are estimated by the Expert Group on Timber and Trade Statistics, and from 2008 made use of woodfuel data reported in the Private Sector Softwood Removals Survey.

2. Includes shavings and poles. Quantities for some uses are estimates by the Expert Group on Timber and Trade Statistics.


Hardwood

An estimated 400 thousand green tonnes of UK hardwood were used for woodfuel (including biomass energy) in 2015. A further 30 thousand green tonnes were estimated to have been consumed by round fencing manufacturers and 25 thousand green tonnes for other uses, including exports.

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