Investment in forestry had a bad name in the 1970s and 1980s unless you were a wealthy celebrity paying out a large amount of income tax.

Schemes designed to accelerate the growth of Scotland’s woodlands to produce timber attracted the rich and famous looking for lucrative tax breaks. People, however, disliked the regimented forests that covered many parts of the country, and when trees were felled the land was left looking like a nuclear war had taken place. In the budget of 1998, the Tories axed the last of the most generous schemes.

Changes to the design of new forests now mean that they are less obtrusive. With the rising price of timber, trees are becoming attractive again for investors. ... Read full article