Small Woodland Owners' Group (SWOG)

News & Events

  • October 2016 Newsletter

    Squirrels, birds and the State of Nature 2016 – it’s all in the October SWOG newsletter, along with a report from the APF show,  forthcoming autumnal events and our usual list of fascinating blogs and links to woodland news.

  • Oak Processionary Moth – research

    We have been contacted by Dr. John Fellenor who is part of a project team looking at the public perception of risk with regard to specific tree pests and pathogens, one of which is the oak processionary moth (OPM). Their project webpage provides an overview of what the work aims to achieve https://www.imperial.ac.uk/unpick/

  • September 2016 Newsletter

    September has arrived and we’re in the middle of the woodfair season. The SWOG newsletter includes: Discounted entry details for APF and Bentley Welcome news that forestry grants will be honoured The value of using local timber over imported products Events, courses and surveys – join in !

  • Reasons to adapt to Climate Change

    Dr Suzanne Martin,  Research Liaison Officer with the Forestry Commission at Alice Holt has written to us with news of the recently published LWEC Report Card covering forestry.  The card provides an accessible and authoritative summary of the latest scientific evidence about the impact and future risks/opportunities of climate change for forestry in the UK.  It…

  • August 2016 Newsletter

    With the arrival of the lazy days of summer comes the August Newsletter. Read about The benefits of using horse to extract timber from woodlands The Big Butterfly Count What to look for in a cross-cut saw SWOG meeting in Shropshire RFS Courses for woodland owners Discounted entry to the APF Show and the Bentley Woodfair  

  • July 2016 Newsletter

    Enjoy the summer with the July newsletter. Sign up for the SWOG meeting in Shropshire Small woodland owners have a vital role as custodian of the nation’s woodland heritage. The Sylva Foundation wants to capture the hopes and fears of woodland owners for the future to incorporate them into the Charter for Trees, Woods and…

  • Permaculture wood fuel and home heating workshop

    The Brighton Permaculture Trust is putting on a one day wood fuel and home heatingworkshop. Suitable for beginners, it will cover the basics of wood fuel home heating. The course will include the possible benefits of fuel autonomy, carbon, local economies, and sustainability. These topics are woven into the fabric of the course in such…

  • Tree Disease Research Project – Survey

    We have had a request from Oleg Sheremet who is a research fellow at the University of St. Andrews.  He is working on a project to find out how woodland owners and managers arrive at decisions, based on their knowledge of tree disease risks.  They have a short online survey which I have taken, it…

  • Forest Charter – unique opportunity for small woodland owners

    More than 50 organisations, co-ordinated by the Woodland Trust, are leading UK society in a call for a charter that will ensure that people and trees can stand stronger together in the future. This charter, strengthened by support from all corners of society, will provide guidelines and principles for policy, decision-makers, businesses, communities and individuals.…

  • June 2016 Newsletter

     It’s hard to believe summer is officially here, but the latest newsletter is full of news guaranteed to warm the hearts of SWOG members. What do owners do with their woods? How SWOG supports owners Free track maintenance pilot scheme for south-east owners Ash dieback – how you can help Inside an ancient oak with Loris  

  • Ancient Woodland Restoration

    Jim Smith has written to us with news of an important initiative in the Sussex Weald, aimed at helping land owners restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) back to ancient woodlands.  If you have further comments or questions, please contact him directly.       We have already lost the vast majority of our…

  • Wondering what to do about ash dieback?

    Tim Rowland, development Officer with the Future Trees Trust, as sent us their latest press release about a project they are running aimed at combating ash dieback. Here’s how you can help   A unique project is hoping to stem the tide of the ash dieback disease by encouraging people to help in finding the…