Briefing: British timber in construction

Historic planting will see a significant rise in the availability of UK grown softwoods and hardwoods over the next 50 years. Opportunities exist to increase the use of timber in construction in the UK. At present these opportunities are being met through imported timber. Modern saw milling and gluing technology coupled with targeted research should provide scope for UK grown timber to increase its market share in construction in the UK. This briefing paper reviews UK forestry statistics and looks at which timber species are and will be available for use in construction. Engineering properties of the various timber species will be presented along Historic planting will see a significant rise in the availability of UK grown softwoods and hardwoods over the next 50 years. Opportunities exist to increase the use of timber in construction in the UK. At present these opportunities are being met through imported timber. Modern saw milling and gluing technology coupled with targeted research should provide scope for UK grown timber to increase its market share in construction in the UK. This briefing paper reviews UK forestry statistics and looks at which timber species are and will be available for use in construction. Engineering properties of the various timber species will be presented along with other data on the suitability of species for the modern construction environment.