Managing forests

The first step in the production of wood fuel is the planting and harvesting of wood in forests. The way this process is managed can have a big impact on the amount and quality of fuel that is eventually produced and on the ability of the forest to produce wood in the future.

Forestry management can also have financial impacts on the value of wood fuel recovered from sites and a cost-benefit analysis should be conducted before wood fuel production is considered.

The steps required for the efficient management of forests for wood fuel production include:

Harvest management

Involves good communication and early planning for wood fuel removal

Soil management

To maintain the quality and productivity of the soil

Ash application

To improve soil quality and reduce ash disposal costs

Wood residue removal

To reduce the problems and risks associated with keeping wood residue on site