At Heartwood we only use timber supplied from woodland and forest which comply to PEFC and The Forest Stewardship Council regulations. The Forest Stewardship Council website.
Our aim is to promote sound ecological practices, using natural materials and recycling wherever possible
We also try to source local english oak whenever possible, although the forestry industry in Britain is not as well managed as in France or other places in Europe. Unfortunately 98.5% of original ancient woodland in Britain has been lost, due to dlear felling for boat building, glass furnaces, farmland and industry. Of the little remaining woodland, some is still under threat. This is not wholly the case in France and Europe, trees were replanted and woodland was managed allowing a much larger forestry industry today.
The UK is one of the least wooded places in Europe. Only 12 per cent of the UK is woodland, compared to an average of 44 per cent in other parts of Europe.
We have around 50 species of native trees and shrubs, including three conifers, in the UK.
In the last 100 years, 46 broadleaved woodland species have become extinct in the UK.
In 1980, native species accounted for only five per cent of trees planted in the UK. Thanks, in part, to the efforts of conservation organisations like the Woodland Trust, by 2000, this figure had risen to over 40 per cent.
About ancient woodland:
Ancient woodland has been in steep decline for 80 years and during that time almost half of it is thought to have been lost – partly to plantations and partly to agriculture. The tragedy of UK woodlands in the 20th century was that so much of the destruction was caused directly by government actions – grants and advice that encouraged converting old woodlands into agricultural use and promoted the coniferisation of ancient woodlands. Fortunately that has now stopped and the Forestry Commission and other government bodies are actively encouraging the conservation of ancient woodland sites.
Heartwood Construction shows a refreshing enthusiasm and a professional approach to the inevitable repairs that are required. The installation of a concealed steel (T / flitch plate) inside a prominent oak beam was completed with a minimum of fuss and no unsightly reminders. Chris Payne richly deserves his 2009 Sussex Heritage Trust Award for a competent and sympathetic approach to historic restoration.
P.Higgs, Mayfield
I would like to add my name to the many satisfied customers of Heartwood Construction and Joinery. In our case they constructed a complex solid oak stair case over three floors, with an extra landing. This complex construction was in an Oast House which does not know what a “straight line or right angle” is! So this was a very complex difficult construction. We were delighted with the outcome, which was finished to an extremely high standard, and fitted with minimal disruption. I certainly would recommend Heartwood where complex hand crafted skills are needed.
Peter Ward Booth, Buxted, East Sussex