Silviculture Award 2009

Joint First Prize: Hovingham Estate, York, and Wheelbirks Estate Company, Wheelbirks Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland.

RFS Excellence in Forestry judge Roderick Leslie, left, presents the RFS Silviculture Award to Hovingham Head Forester David Brown

Hovingham Estate also won the Duke of Cornwall Award 2009, where details of their woodland can be found.

 


Joint First Prize: Wheelbirks Estate, Stocksfield, Northumberland

Most of the woodlands were planted by the current owners’ great grandfather between 1913 and 1932. The estate is run as a family concern to produce good quality saw logs for the construction industry and to maintain the landscape.

Judges Rodney Helliwell and Roderick Leslie commented: “Tom Richardson’s great grandfather Hugh made an unusual but successful woodland investment in this dairying based estate; Pine and Larch stands were well thinned and impressive, but it was the superb Douglas Fir in a steep-sided valley that clinched the prize.”

RFS Excellence in Forestry judge Roderick Leslie, left, presents the RFS Silviculture Award to Wheelbirks Estate's father and sons, Tom Richardson, Michael Richardson, centre, and Hugh Richardson

Tom Richardson, one of the current owners, commented: “This is recognition as much for the far-sighted vision of past generations as it is for the current work that goes into ensuring these woodlands continue to thrive and provide an income to the estate.”