Timber is one of the best construction materials on the market currently thanks to its sustainability, durability and versatility. Therefore, it is no wonder that the UK uses at least 50 million tonnes of timber per year.
The UK Timber Industry at a Glance
The United Kingdom hosts the perfect conditions for tree growth. This is thanks to its fertile soil, yearly rainfall, mild winters and varied terrain. Additionally, there is approximately 3.2 million hectares of woodland area across the United Kingdom.
The UK’s land surface is around 13% covered by woodlands, this is considerably less compared to other countries in Europe. The average area covered is around 25%. On the other hand, Finland boasts a total of 72% of its land surface covered by woodland!
Did you know that hardwood comes from deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) and softwood comes from evergreen trees? Out of the 50 million tonnes of timber used in the UK per year, over 75% is softwood.
Softwood trees account for around 51% of all UK woodland. However, it may come as a surprise that the supply does not meet the demand. Less than 10% of the timber used in the UK is grown here! Due to this, the United Kingdom is the second largest net importer of timber in the world. Its net imports are approximately £7 billion. What’s impressive about this is that the United Kingdom is 39 times smaller than the largest net importer, China!
The UK Timber industry is worth approximately £10 billion and also employs approximately 30,000 people across forestry, sawmilling and panel mills.
In the UK there are two certification schemes in use to promote the use of sustainably harvested timber. These certifications ensure that no damage is done to the surrounding environment. As a renewable material, sustainably harvested timber uses less energy whilst being processed into a final product.
Contact ITS for your timber needs
If you are in need of timber for your project and would like more information or advice on which type you may require, get in touch! Contact Integrated Timber Solutions on 028 3833 7252 or email sales@integratedtimbersolutions.com
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