Open to all woodworkers who would like to learn more about our passion for woodland management and homegrown timber.
‘If you are a woodworker, keen to understand more about the management and sustainability of the industry that supports your hobby or business then we urge you to attend a Forestry for Woodworkers Day at Sylva Wood Centre.
Sylva Wood Centre is a first-class education facility dedicated to improving forest management and woodworking skills where you will learn and take inspiration from experienced tutors about how woodland management in the UK affects our woodworking – from tree to table.’
Eddie & Hayley. Odie’s Oil UK
Forestry for woodworkers has been developed to share our joint passions for woodland management and homegrown timber. You will learn from our team of experienced foresters and woodworkers whilst walking through woodland close to the Sylva Wood Centre.
Its not just appropriate for woodworkers! – If you are a teacher, architect, structural engineer or just interested in the connection between growing and using timber then this course would be good for you too.
Below is a detailed agenda for the day, we will build in plenty of time for questions and conversation.
Agenda for the day.
9.30 The day will begin with a welcome & introduction to Sylva Foundation over a tea/coffee in our Teaching Barn.
We will set the scene to our environmental work across forestry and land by introducing;
- A historical overview of woodland management in the UK
- The current state of woodland management in the UK
- The UK Forestry Standard
- Our role in supporting woodland management
- What could the future look like?
We will explore the range of home-grown timbers that have been used in the past and could be available in the future.
10.15 We will walk in our Future Forest and discuss woodland creation and planning. We will discuss the benefits of planting including timber, leisure, wildlife, agroforestry. We will consider selection of species, improved seed, site preparation, planting & aftercare.
11.15 Our walk will continue through the Future Forest and into Neptune Wood to discuss the theory and practice of coppicing and pruning.
12.30 Lunch
13.15 Walking in Paradise Wood we will discuss the importance and value of;
- Tree trials and genetics
- Right seed, right place, right tree. (right management plan)
- Identify opportunities for pruning, thinning and felling.
- Identify tree health issues.
15.00 Our walk will end in the Wood School workshops providing an opportunity to interact with under-utilised home-grown timbers such as Alder, Beech, Birch, Cherry, Douglas-Fir, Robinia, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore.
15.30 We will return to the teaching barn to summarise the days learning and answer your questions.
Please come dressed for the weather with suitable outdoor clothes and footwear – the paths through the woodland are uneven can get muddy. You will need a moderate level of fitness, the walk will be circa one mile however we will spend a large part of the day on our feet.
Tea/coffee for breaks and a sandwich lunch will be provided.
Cost: £120 – 15 places available
Age: 18+ (or 14+ with a participating adult)
Venue: Sylva Wood Centre, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QT
When: Thursday 16th April 2026 9:30 AM through 4:30 PM