The Powis Estate has been owned by the Earls of Powis since 1587. The woodlands extend to 600 hectares and form an important landscape backdrop to the castle, the town of Welshpool and the surrounding villages. The main woodland area is surrounded by historic parkland next to a Deer Park.
The company has managed the woodland on this traditional mixed estate since 2002. Forest management is conducted alongside commercial shoots whilst fulfilling a brief to return a profit. The company has focused on the effective marketing of the timber crops to maximise returns.
The woods are regularly thinned across the estate with the objective of improving the quality of individual stands. An important facet of the thinning work has been the need to produce a regular supply of timber for the Estate’s firewood business. Income has also been generated by the thinning and felling of areas of mature conifers and oak. The range of species present and the small size of many of the compartments mean that the effective marketing of the timber is critical. Through the company’s detailed knowledge of local and national markets, the estate has been able to maximise its timber returns.
Other important work includes digitally mapping the estate woodland and the expansion and upgrading of the network of access tracks.
The estate’s woodlands are managed in accordance with a 5-year management plan and significant grant aid has been secured from Welsh Government through several grant schemes. This includes funding for uneconomic thinning, restocking, track construction and laurel control.