Since the beginning of the 20th century, UK timber has outpaced both the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500, having risen by an average of 15% per annum since 1988. For the last decade UK timber has been even more impressive, showing an average return of just over 19% per annum.

The UK forestry sector is booming. The cumulative value of the UK investment forestry market has grown from £45 million in 2010 to £137 million in 2015 – That’s a 204% increase in just 5 years.

In Scotland in particular, the contribution of forestry to its economy has increased to £954 million from the 2008 figure of £670 million, showing an increase of just over 42%. Of this £954 million, £771 million comes from forestry and timber processing and £183 million comes from forest recreation and tourism.