NEWSLETTERS
Wood Info and News
Truffle Cultivation
Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd. (MSL) is a company founded on a scientifically advanced approach to the farming of truffle species (Tuber spp.). Based on advanced truffle cultivation systems, the company was incorporated in 2005 using technology that had been in development since 2001. Presenting at international conferences and often in the media, MSL has secured a global reputation.
Truffles, the rare gourmet fungi, grow on the roots of Oak and Hazel trees and require very specific treatment in order to fruit successfully. Truffle cultivation can be a very profitable pursuit, but the approach must be informed and tailored to the particular site. MSL are at the forefront of truffle technology and are always on hand for our partners to offer advice, yearly assessments, expertise and access to our data sets. We have turned truffle cultivation into a scientific, informed and reliable pursuit.
The UK and many countries with a cool climate have ideal conditions for the cultivation of a summer truffle species known as Tuber aestivum/uncinatum. The summer truffle grows underground on the roots of Oak and Hazel trees and plantations of inoculated saplings can be established to grow these fungi. Truffle plantations typically begin to produce truffles after 4-7 years and have the ability to yield between £15K-£69K worth of truffles per hectare (£75K-£345K per 5ha plantation. Similar figures are also being produced in the European market). With low establishment costs and little maintenance, truffle plantations represent an excellent farm diversification or investment opportunity.
The term ‘mycorrhizal’ defines the relationship between a type of fungus (in this case truffle) and a tree species. The fungus grows on the roots of the tree in a symbiotic relationship. The truffle fungus cannot produce truffles unless it is growing in symbiosis with the tree. Therefore, in order to grow truffles, trees must be planted that are inoculated with the truffle fungus. These trees are carefully cultivated in our lab for a year before being planted in the field. Once planted, the truffle-trees require site tailored management processes and monitoring; many factors of which are often ignored and consequently lead to poor yields. The complexity of truffle growing has until-now proved a barrier to entry for many would-be truffle farmers.
Despite intense demand, truffle production has drastically declined over the last century by around 92.5%. This decline is due to a large number of factors, not least of which is the destruction of the truffles natural habitats. Owing to the decline in production and the intense demand for truffles, their cultivation has become a very attractive prospect. MSL has developed superior technology for the production of inoculated trees and has developed a sound methodology for plantation management allowing plantations which utilise our technology to be subject to some of the most rigorous and informed approaches in crop technology.
If you are interested in cultivating truffles please get in touch for a free information pack at invest@plantationsystems.com or Tel: 01422 844095
Or contact the Poplar Tree Co on 07966178884
For information on fire wood please follow the link Fire wood stats
World Timber supply
Global deforestation and over cutting, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, has meant that composite timber products (chipboard, plyboard, MDF, finger joint board, etc.) provide an increasing share of the international market. Previous supplier countries of round and sawn wood such as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are no longer willing to sell non value added product into the international market and some have imposed bans on the export of sawn timber.
A recent FAO report established that from 1990 to 2005 the forested areas in various countries changed as follows:-
- Brazil decreased by 42,329,000ha
- Indonesia decreased by 28,072,000ha
- France increased by 1,016,000 ha,
- and the UK by 234,000 ha.
Worldwide however, there was a decrease in the land area devoted to forest of
125,000 000 ha in just 15 years – 8,333,000 ha per annum.
Increasingly governments of importing countries are insisting that timber is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) registered and must come from sustainable sources. The amount of traded timber sourced from plantations is forecast to increase from 414 million cubic metres in 2000 to 600 million cubic metres in 2010.
The UK forested area is about 12% (France 28%, Germany 32%, Italy 34% Sweden 67%) but new planting is only 8,000ha/year, compared with 40,000 ha/year in the early 70’s. Softwood timber production in the UK increased by 28% between 1995 and 2004 but hardwood production decreased by 42%. Exports increased to 11% of total production, a new phenomenon for the UK,. Coniferous roundwood imports to the UK have increased by 52% since 1990, whereas hardwood roundwood declined by 47%. The UK imported 960,000 tonnes of hardwwods per annum between 2000-2004, including 458,000 tonnes of tropical hardwoods.
In the 2009 Report to the Forestry Commission by Prof Sir David Read, he calls for an additional 23,000 ha of woodland annually for the next 40 years. This would only represent an additional 4% of land cover, which would bring the UK up to 16%. He specifically encourages the use of Poplar and in addition, trees that are currently non native to the UK, to combat the effect of climate change.
Clearly there is still a great deal that the UK can do in becoming more self sufficient for timber. Individually, we can only do so much but the collective impact will be substantial.
Source of statistical information –
‘Combating Climate Change, the role for UK forests’. Read et al 2009
‘World timber trade and implementing sustainable forest management in the UK. Lawson G and Hemery G.L. 2007
- Know your trees – Black Poplar
Black Poplar (Populus nigra) has become a rare tree in the UK. The reasons for this are thought largely to be the continued drainage of wetlands and over management of rivers and floodplains
Black poplar has historically been prized as a timber tree. However, they grow slower than some foreign poplars, and around 200 years ago were replaced with faster growing non- native poplars. Very few Black Poplar trees have been planted since the mid 1800s. In addition, very few trees germinate naturally because a male and a female tree need to be close together and in perfect natural conditions in order for the seeds to germinate. Black Poplars easily hybridise with non-native poplars.
Black Poplar facts*
- The black poplar was reputed for its relative resistance to fire and was often used for floorboards (particularly in Oast houses) and around fireplaces
- The tree was often used as a marker between land boundaries in flood plains
- The natural springiness of the wood meant it was used for clogs and cart wheels
- The wood can absorb paraffin and was used to make matches
- It is also very resistant to rot, and the branches often grow in a curve, which made it excellent for building timber framed buildings
- They have male and female trees
- They like to grow in wet areas like river floodplains
- Black poplars in Britain and Europe are all very closely genetically related. This makes them vulnerable to extinction.
Black poplar are available from The Poplar Tree Company as 1.5m slips. Contact us on info@poplartree.co.uk
* Information from The Sussex Rivers and Otters Partnership
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