Rob Coventry’s first year as Head of Forestry and Reserves
Developing the forestry team, which has responsibility for 1,800 hectares of woodland across our three Devon estates has been a priority for our Head of Forestry and Reserves, Rob Coventry, during his first year with Clinton Devon Estates.
Rob, who joined the Estate in Autumn 2024, is preparing to write the next ten-year forest management plan with the focus on continuous cover management, advancing the move away from clear felling blocks of woodland.
Rob said: “I am pleased with how the team has taken to enrichment planting, which I believe is a fundamental part of the transition to continuous cover or irregular forest management.”
Under the plan a wider range and ages of tree species are grown in close proximity with individuals selected for harvest as they mature. The system maintains tree cover and enhances timber quality but allows light to reach the forest floor, encouraging natural regeneration and the growth of an understorey.
Rob stressed that timber production, vital in a range of UK business sectors, including construction, remained a priority for Clinton Devon Estates, alongside the provision of biodiversity benefits and giving the public safe access to woodlands.
He said becoming familiar with the wide range of soil and site types across more than 1,000 sub compartments of woodland on land in East and North Devon had been one of the biggest challenges of his first year. The forestry is 80% conifers, 20% broadleaf, all certified to the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) environmental, social, and economic standards.
“One of the focuses – and a big personal driver for me – is looking at resilience across the vast array of site types and species that we have” he said. Looking ahead to the impact of a changing climate, tree diseases, pests and other threats and building a robust plan for the future is essential, he believes.
“We are planning for the climate and conditions which are 50 years or more in the future – and obviously there is a lot of uncertainty about what those conditions will be,” Rob said. “You want to increase your options for the future and if you’ve got more species in the forest, you spread your risk.”
Rob is keen to share information and learn from others and plans to take his team on a visit to the woodlands he used to manage on the Wiltshire-Somerset border to help demonstrate different ways of working.
He has also welcomed Head Foresters from estates in other parts of the country to see the work in the woodlands of Clinton Devon Estates.
Rob has been supporting members of his own team to develop their skills. John Herbert, the Heanton Woods Forester in North Devon, recently completed his degree apprenticeship, achieving a First from the University of Cumbria. John has now secured his chartership with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Rob ordered 80,000 trees for planting this season (25/26) and as well as developing the Estates’ forest management plan, continues to prioritise tree safety. He is also developing the integration of a digital mapping system for the forestry team – and all alongside the day-to-day running of the forestry operation.
He is already making his mark on the Estates’ woodland operations, directing an important aspect of the work of the Estates to meet today’s environmental concerns, at the same time as producing a commercial timber crop.
