The key assumptions underpinning the headline hardwood forecast scenario include:

• In private woodland, harvesting is limited to areas with evidence of recent thinning activity.
• The estate of the Forestry Commission and Natural Resources Wales is managed according to current management plans.

Under the above scenario, hardwood availability for Great Britain averages 1.6 million cubic metres a year over the 50-year period (Table 2.4b). The majority (89%) of this hardwood is projected to come from private sector woodland. If these woodlands were managed to maximise total production, the forecast would be much higher, as illustrated in the full National Forest Inventory report available at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/national-forest-inventory/.

Table 2.4b Hardwood availability forecasts

^{Source: National Forest Inventory: 50-year forecast of hardwood availability (Forestry Commission, April 2014)}

^Notes:

^{1. The estate of the Forestry Commission and Natural Resources Wales is assumed to be managed according to current management plans.}

^{2. In private woodland, harvesting is assumed to be limited to areas with evidence of recent thinning activity. If these woodlands were managed to maximise total production, the forecast would be much higher, as illustrated in the full National Forest Inventory report available at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/national-forest-inventory/.}

^{4. An update to these figures is due to be published in 2020.}

^{5. To convert hardwood ‘overbark standing’ into green tonnes multiply by 0.900.  See the Sources’ chapter for more details on conversion factors.}

These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics. For further information see the Sources’ chapter.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Timber