The Full Circle: Edition 18
Editor’s letter
Welcome to the 18th edition of the Full Circle for Autumn/Winter 2024. Now on my second edition, albeit flying solo, I feel like I am slowly getting into the swing of things.
It has been a fun journey pulling together different articles from the deep pool of knowledge that ASHS and the wider timber industry provides, and I want to thank everyone who contributed and gave up their time to put together the stories we have in this edition.
This edition does not have an overarching theme, instead covering a range of topics across the timber spectrum. We have insights into events and projects by the Forest Policy Group, the Scottish Furniture Makers Association, Logie Timber, and Wood Knowledge Wales. We also have a perspective on how the increased push in Scotland for rewilding and nature restoration can work well with the hardwoods industry. Finally, we also have some great profiles on what some of our ASHS members, Andy O’Neil and Jonny Stableford, are up to.
ASHS is pretty busy at the moment, with a few different big projects being worked on, so for the foreseeable future there will only be one edition of the Full Circle produced each year. We are aiming to have this come out at the start of summer each year, so expect the next edition in summer 2025. For anyone who is interested in contributing, please get in touch.
Many thanks to our members and our advertisers for helping make this journal possible. Finally, I would very much like to thank Stephanie Christie for once again helping create a beautiful journal.
Johannes Schamp, Editor
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In this issue:
ASHS News & Updates
Key updates and developments from across the ASHS network, including member activity, industry news, and organisational announcements shaping the hardwood and premium softwood sector.
Better Forestry Conference Report: Forest Policy Group
Reflections from the Better Forestry Conference hosted by the Forest Policy Group, capturing key discussions around forestry policy, land use priorities, and the evolving direction of the UK woodland sector.
25 Years in the Making
Marking 25 years of the Forest Policy Group, this piece looks back at its influence on forestry policy debate and its contribution to long-term thinking around woodland management and land use in the UK.
Exploring the Scottish Timber Industry: A Blueprint for Welsh Small Businesses
This piece explores Scotland’s timber industry through the lens of small business development, drawing on a tour of ASHS member sites and operations. It highlights practical lessons and structural insights observed across the network that could support emerging timber enterprises in Wales.
Scotland’s Forest Bioeconomy - Innovating Towards New Value from Trees
An exploration of Scotland’s emerging forest bioeconomy, highlighting how innovation is expanding the role of timber and wood fibre across construction, textiles, electronics, and new material applications.
Regenerative Timber Production Through the Eyes of a Rewilder
From a rewilding perspective, this article reflects on how regenerative forestry approaches can align timber production with ecosystem recovery, biodiversity outcomes, and long-term woodland resilience.
Tree Salvage - What’s That Then?
An ASHS report by Andy O’Neil introducing the Tree Salvage concept, exploring the opportunity to rethink how end-of-life urban trees are valued, processed, and reintegrated into local timber systems.
Ash Rise
Led by the Scottish Furniture Makers Association, this collaborative response to ash dieback showcases how affected ash timber has been transformed into crafted works, reflecting on legacy, material value, and cultural interpretation.
Timber Festival Celebrates Huge Success
Held at Logie Timber, the Timber Festival is reviewed as a celebration of local timber through demonstrations, workshops, craft, and community engagement across the wider wood value chain.
Solar Energy
Scottish Wood share their experience of solar installation in an industrial timber setting, outlining generation performance, cost savings, and practical considerations for integrating renewable energy into operations.
