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 2016, a decrease of 3% from the previous year (Table 2.24). A further 278 thousand green tonnes of UK softwood were consumed by round fencing manufacturers and 178 thousand green tonnes for other uses in 2016.
Table 2.24 Miscellaneous uses of UK softwood roundwood, 2007-2016
Year | Fencing | Woodfuel1 | Other2 | Total |
thousand green tonnes | ||||
2007 | 319 | 200 | 113 | 633 |
2008 | 359 | 300 | 128 | 787 |
2009 | 367 | 650 | 160 | 1178 |
2010 | 349 | 900 | 135 | 1384 |
2011 | 363 | 900 | 145 | 1408 |
2012 | 338 | 1000 | 154 | 1492 |
2013 | 332 | 1250 | 191 | 1773 |
2014 | 317 | 1500 | 176 | 1992 |
2015 | 288 | 1600 | 164 | 2052 |
2016 | 278 | 1550 | 178 | 2006 |
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 2016. A further 30 thousand green tonnes were estimated to have been consumed by round fencing manufacturers and 92 thousand green tonnes for other uses, including exports.