Wood production (also referred to as removals) refers to the harvesting of roundwood (trunk and branch wood) from coniferous (softwood) and non-coniferous (hardwood) trees. Figures are generally expressed here in green tonnes (weight when freshly felled).

Removals should not be confused with deliveries, which are the quantities of UK-grown roundwood that is delivered to processors (mills) or for other uses (such as woodfuel and exports). Deliveries statistics are presented in Tables 2.5 and 2.6. A comparison of removals and deliveries of UK softwood roundwood is provided in the Sources chapter.

The figures on removals of UK roundwood are used to monitor trends in the UK forest sector. The data is also used alongside figures for standing volume (the volume of standing trees) and increment (the growth rate of standing trees) to compile natural capital accounts for inclusion in the UK Environmental Accounts released by the Office for National Statistics.

The data are derived from a number of sources:

• FC/NRW/FS figures are obtained from Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Wales and Forest Service administrative systems;
• Private sector softwood figures are obtained from the Private Sector Softwood Removals Survey;
• Total hardwood figures are estimated from hardwood deliveries figures, which are compiled from surveys of the UK-grown timber industry, trade associations and expert estimates.