The trees and timber industry is part of the environmental and land‐based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; equine; environmental conservation; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land‐based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self-employed.
The trees and timber industry includes the care and management of trees, woodlands and forests, and the production of wood and timber products. It comprises businesses involved in arboriculture, forestry establishment, forestry harvesting and timber processing. Recently, there have been national, European and international policy developments, focusing on sustainable management and climate change.
Key facts:
- There are approximately 22,452 people working in the industry, in an estimated 3,920 businesses in the UK.
- 93% of businesses employ between 0‐9 staff, 6% employ between 10‐49 staff and only 1% of businesses more than 48 staff.
- 53% of the workforce is over the age of 40.
- 82.5% of the workforce is full‐time.
- 44% of the workforce is self‐employed.
Jobs in the industry include: forestry consultant, forest manager, forester, forest machine operator, community ranger, woodman, harvesting contractor, chainsaw operator.
National and regional data
The following employment and business estimates exclude the arboriculture activities of the industry.
East Midlands – There are an estimated 698 employees in the regional workforce, in around 275 businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 2,223 employees in the regional workforce, in around 433 businesses.
London – There are an estimated 1,153 employees in 531 trees and timber businesses in the region.
North East – There are an estimated 1,982 employees in the regional workforce, in around 74 businesses. The industry is a significant employer in the region.
North West – There are an estimated 1,583 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
South East – There are an estimated 3,721 employees in the regional workforce, in around 705 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 2,292 employees in the regional workforce, in around 430 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 1,254 employees in the regional workforce, in around 355 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 1,178 employees, in around 317 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 220 employees in the regional workforce, in around 32 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 4,001 employees in the regional workforce, in around 208 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 2,147 employees in the regional workforce, in around 100 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from IDBR, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
