At Knighton Countryside Management, we provide a complete, turn-key service for timber harvesting.
Designed to help landowners unlock the value of their woodland while protecting its long-term health and complying fully with UK regulations.
From initial surveys and woodland management planning to felling licences, grant applications and final restocking, we handle the entire process on your behalf. Our experienced team works closely with the Forestry Commission to ensure that all work complies with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and any relevant Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Whether you’re managing ash dieback, clearing storm-damaged trees, or considering a commercial thinning operation, we’ll guide you through every step.
We can also help you access available government grants to support your harvesting and replanting objectives. These may include funding through the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), Countryside Stewardship, or other regional schemes. As part of this process, we produce fully compliant Woodland Management Plans (WMP) that open the door to longer-term licences (up to 10 years) and sustainable yield strategies.
Delivering Fully Managed Solutions
Importantly, we manage the full felling licence application for you. Mapping out the compartments, identifying protected habitats or Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and ensuring all compliance boxes are ticked. Once work begins, our operatives and specialist machinery, including low-impact harvesters, ensure a safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive operation, even on complex or ecologically sensitive sites.
Whether you need advice on grant support or complete woodland clearance and restocking, Knighton delivers a fully managed solution, from consultation to final planting
Mechanised Harvesting with Minimal Ground Impact
At Knighton, we combine traditional Silviculture expertise with a fleet of advanced, specialist machinery. Allowing us to deliver efficient, large-scale timber harvesting with precision and minimal ground disturbance. Our mechanised approach is ideal for commercial forestry, estate management, and infrastructure projects where time, safety and environmental sensitivity are all critical.
Our equipment includes:
- Ponsse Wisent Forwarder – A compact, low-ground-pressure machine designed to transport felled timber across difficult terrain with minimal damage to soil and habitats. Its lightweight footprint makes it ideal for sensitive sites or woodland with restricted access.
- State-of-the-Art Harvesters – Equipped with cutting heads that can de-limb and cut to precise log lengths, our harvesters enable us to meet landowner or buyer specifications directly on-site. This precision reduces handling, speeds up processing and increases yield efficiency.
- Mus-Max “Terminator” Wood Chippers – These powerful chippers are capable of processing whole trees, brash and bulky material quickly and cleanly. Whether clearing windblown timber or felling on a managed site, we can chip material on-site for biomass, bedding, or mulch use.
By using the right equipment for each job, we’re able to reduce ground pressure, limit site damage and maximise the value of every tree we harvest. All work is carried out by qualified operators with safety, ecology, and efficiency at the heart of every operation.
“Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) continues to pose a serious risk to the UK’s woodland and tree stock, particularly along roadsides, footpaths and public access routes.”
Mark Gibbens – Director, Knighton Countryside Management
Targeted Ash Dieback Management
At Knighton Countryside Management, we specialise in the safe, efficient and fully compliant removal of infected ash trees, offering a complete solution from risk assessment to final clearance. Our expert teams are trained and equipped to handle Ash Dieback projects of any scale.
We deploy a full suite of machinery including excavators fitted with tree shears, remote-controlled stump grinders and a fleet of wood chippers. Ranging from tow-behind models to specialist chip trucks capable of processing whole trees on-site. This enables us to work quickly and safely, even in constrained or sensitive environments.
Many of our Ash Dieback projects involve roadside clearance, where public safety and operational efficiency are paramount. Knighton holds full compliance with CDM 2015, National Highway Sector Scheme 18, CHAS, SMAS, Constructionline, and UVDB, ensuring every job meets the highest industry and safety standards.
Our dedicated highways team holds the necessary Highways Passports and is experienced in managing night-time closures and road traffic control, allowing us to complete works with minimal disruption to the public.
Whether you’re a landowner, local authority, or contractor facing the challenge of diseased ash trees, Knighton delivers a responsive, professional service that puts safety, ecology, and long-term land management first
Efficient On-Site Chipping & Biomass Solutions
High-Capacity On-Site Wood Chipping
As part of our end-to-end timber harvesting service, Knighton provides high-capacity on-site wood chipping. Ensuring every part of the tree is put to good use. Our team can process brash, stems and even whole trees directly on-site using powerful, low-impact machinery capable of chipping up to 50 tonnes per hour. This approach reduces haulage, minimises site disruption, and accelerates project timelines.
Wherever possible, we convert timber into clean, BSL-certified biomass wood chip, supporting renewable heating systems, agricultural bedding, event and landscape mulching and ecological restoration. Whether dealing with ash dieback, infrastructure clearance, or commercial felling, we maximise the value of every harvest while keeping sustainability at the heart of our work.
We also offer bulk chip delivery to client locations and fuel stores using our own fleet of, ensuring seamless logistics from felling to final delivery. All chipping operations are carried out in line with ecological best practice and environmental regulations, providing a fully managed, responsible solution for landowners and developers alike.
Tree Planting at Scale, with Care
As a Countryside Management Company, we spend a considerable amount of time planting trees and over the years, Knighton Countryside Management has planted millions (literally) of trees across England.
From large-scale commercial forestry schemes to biodiversity-driven conservation planting, our expert teams deliver efficient, high-quality planting tailored to each site’s conditions and objectives. We work with landowners, developers, councils and environmental organisations to design and implement planting schemes that deliver real impact.
Whether for carbon offsetting, wildlife corridors, or long-term timber production.ground disturbance. Our mechanised approach is ideal for commercial forestry, estate management, and infrastructure projects where time, safety and environmental sensitivity are all critical.
Tree Planting At Scale
- Ground preparation using low-impact, site-appropriate machinery
- Supplying UK-sourced, biosecure cell-grown trees
- Planting to Forestry Commission and grant scheme specifications
- Guarding, staking, mulching and aftercare
- Monitoring, maintenance, and replacement, where needed
We’re also experienced in coordinating multi-partner projects and grant-funded planting initiatives. Whether you’re looking to establish new woodland, enhance biodiversity, meet planning/stewardship obligations, Knighton provides a complete, scalable tree planting solution with the ecological expertise to back it up.
“Whether you’re managing woodland for conservation, timber production, or access, Knighton Countryside Management has the tools, experience, and know-how to get it done.”
Mark Gibbens – Director, Knighton Countryside Management
Get in touch with the team now!
Click the link above for our contact details, or call us on 01305 848881