Forestry on the Powis Estates

Powis Estates is home to an incredible 610 hectares of woodlands, which has been under our care since the 18th century. Some of these woodlands provide the scenic backdrop to Powis Castle at Welshpool. They produce quality timber and employment to the local community. Our woodlands are also a great source of biodiversity and habitat. 

Here, we discuss more about how our forestry team maintain our award-winning standards and celebrate some of the most notable achievements over the years. 

A Rich History of Forestry

Powis Estates has a rich history of forestry and over the last few centuries developed a solid reputation for growing high quality Oak. Forming the iconic backdrop to Powis Castle, our woodlands continue to uphold their reputation for supplying fine timber to the market and sustainable firewood to our local community.

Our woodlands across Powis Estates are now certified under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme, demonstrating that our woodlands are managed sustainably. Due care is given to ensure that we identify and enhance any biodiversity hotspots. 

We aim to manage sustaining and resilient woodlands which contain a range of species which serve to enhance the woodland ecology while providing timber and employment for the local economy, and forming the Estate’s iconic landscape.

Our forestry experts are constantly reviewing practices and identifying habitat hotspots to maintain a diverse and resilient ecosystem which also enhances the local scenery. Meanwhile, we serve the community with sustainably sourced firewood, processing over 500 tonnes of air-dried logs each year to help people heat their homes. 

Award-Winning Woodlands 

In recent years, our forestry efforts have been recognised by several prestigious awards, proving that our dedication and efforts are truly paying off. 

2021 RFS Excellence in Forestry Competition 

In 2021 we were incredibly proud to be awarded a certificate of merit for the Duke of Cornwall’s Award for Resilient Multi-Purpose Forestry by the Royal Forestry Society in their annual Excellence in Forestry Competition. This award recognises woods that “are managed for ecological and economic resilience to threats such as pests, diseases and climate change in order to meet commercial, environmental and social objectives.” Established in 1882, the RFS is one of the oldest organisations in the UK, having promoted conscious woodland management for over a century. 

2023 Royal Welsh Show

In 2023, we were delighted to enter our Estate woodlands into the Woodlands Competition at the Royal Welsh Show, which is a prominent event in the agricultural calendar, recognising the efforts of farmers, foresters and artisans from far and wide. This year, our hard work was recognised with a number of awards including: 

• Gold Medal for the Best Managed Woodland Over 200 Hectares
• Gold Medal for the Best Broadleaved Woodland Over 40 Years Old
• Silver Medal for the Best Broadleaved Woodland 11-40 Years Old
• Silver Medal for the Best Conifer Restocking Under 10 Years Old
• Silver Medal for the Best Conifer Woodland Over 30 Years Old
• The Milford Silver Medal for the Best Broadleaved Entry
• EFG Perpetual Cup for the Best Entry in All the Classes

This impressive plethora of awards is a testament to the hard work of our forestry team, forestry management consultants and contractors. 

Meet Our Dedicated Team Members 

Our beautiful, sustainable woodlands would not be possible without our dedicated forestry team. Learn a little bit more about our incredibly loyal team members below. 

Lawrie Cooper: Head Forester 

At the Royal Welsh Show this past summer, our head forester was also recognised for his commitment with a Long Service Award from the Royal Forestry Society. Having started at Powis Estates in 1990 as a youth training scheme apprentice, Lawrie has been managing the trees and timber of our estate for an incredible 33 years. 

Andy Love: Forester 

In 2019, our resident forester Andy also took home the Long Service Award from the Royal Welsh Show, having worked as a forester on our estate for nearly 40 years. Andy was most notably involved in felling trees on the Estate to help replace timbers lost after the fire of York Minster in 1984. 

Have a question about our forestry or want to learn more about our sustainable firewood? Please feel free to get in touch.