Forestry Conference on 'Resilience' at James Jones & Sons, Lockerbie/Walk & Talk at Castlemilk Estate

Resilience has become one of the key issues in forestry planning due to more pests and diseases, climate change, biodiversity considerations, and changing rules and regulations.

Scottish Forestry have recently produced a Routemap to Resilience giving their recommendations on how to protect Scotland’s forests from climate change and create resilient woodlands for the future.

Forest Research have just issued a Future Productive Species Report of 28 tree species for foresters to grow in the future which they say marks a major step forward in helping our woodlands and forests adapt to the growing threats of climate change.

SLE member, Castlemilk & Corrie Estates, have been conducting trials on a range of conifers for many years, with some impressive results. Castlemilk have around 2,000 ha of forest land (85% productive) and cut approx. 20k tonnes a year from a sustainable cut of around 40 ha per annum. 

To bring these themes together, the day will combine a morning visit to Castlemilk Estate to view ongoing species trials, followed by an afternoon Forestry Conference at the nearby James Jones & Sons facility.

James Jones & Sons have kindly offered us the use of their new Conference Centre and will give the sawmiller’s perspective at the Conference where we will be joined by Scottish Forestry and Forest Research to discuss the Resilience Routemap and Future Productive Species Shortlist.

This event is free of charge to SLE Members, but booking is essential through the SLE website.

Additional event information:

Format of the event: 

Meet at James Jones & Sons for Registration, then board coach - kindly sponsored by 

Then travel to nearby Castlemilk Estate - we will be greeted by owners, Jamie and Katie Buchanan-Jardine, and Forestry Manager, Kenny Mackenzie. We will hear some of the history of the estate and see their new timber treatment tank for fencing manufacture (the estate uses 40km of fencing per year) before going to see some of their alternative conifers – Douglas fir (French and American origin), Tamarack (Larix laricina), Western hemlock, Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), and Scots pine. 

There will be an informal talk by Byron Braithwaite, Regional Manager at Scottish Woodlands about what a forest owner needs to know in today’s difficult market conditions – timber prices are going down, but regulation is increasing. Byron recently completed a Nuffield Scholarship on forests that thrive in a changing climate: drought and fire resistance.

SLE’s insurance partner, Lycetts, will also be available to discuss forestry insurance issues.

A sandwich lunch (kindly sponsored by

              will be included as part of the programme. 

In the afternoon we will hear presentations by –                                                                                      

13.30-13.45      SLE – Policy introduction (Nathan Bryceland)

13.45-14.05      Scottish Forestry – Resilience Routemap (Helen Sellars)

14.05-14.25      Forest Research – Future Productive Species (David Edwards)

14.25-14.45      James Jones & Sons – Sawmill Perspective (Rob McKenna)

Followed by a time for Q&A

Followed by an optional mill tour

Address: Meet at the Visitor Centre at James Jones & Sons, Stevenscroft, Lockerbie, DG11 2SQ

Other information: Elements of this event will take place outdoors so please bring suitable clothing and footwear.

Click the link for location map and directions here.