This piece is an extract from this week's Forestry Features newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Wednesday with a round-up of the week's top stories. 

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SOMETIMES the topic of these newsletters is just staring you in the face (if only that were always the case). Our recent feature by Digby Guy ('Where did it all go wrong?', FJ, 341) is one such example - and appears to have caused quite the stir on social media.

READ MORE: Digby Guy: Damage 'done by modern harvesting' worries forester

In the piece – which we've now made free for all to read – the former forester expressed his concerns over the condition of a harvesting site, going so far as to suggest a complete rethink was needed about the process. Pointing the finger of blame at short-term thinking, Digby wrote: "Forest owners need to take control and bear responsibility." 

Normally, this newsletter is used to share some thoughts from the FJ team on a topical issue of the day or a sneak peak at features (usually for subscribers only), but we reckon it would be better to give you a slice of the reaction. 

"Totally agree. Out of control – greed and no pride in their work. Seen this in the last few sites I've passed. Disgrace." 

"I am horrified by what I see in terms of such poor management of what nature gives us – namely natural regeneration. Perhaps government policy will swing back so that we see forests being managed based on sound silvicultural standards. Some of what Digby talks about needs a completely different approach; why not more continuous cover forestry and care for regeneration?We need more training facilities, more people on the ground." 

"Think that he is spot on. Some of these woods are struggling to recover, ground cutting is slower but by far the best way." 

Of course, others were less inclined to support Digby's suggestion. 

"I think we need a couple of these know-it-alls in the driving seat on a very steep site to show us all how to do it." 

Forestry Journal:

"He’s probably the same guy that accept stupidly low rate from contractors and expect drivers to do superb job." 

Clearly, we'll all make our own mind up, but the very fact there's a discussion to be had suggest it's something the industry needs to address.

Not least of all at a time when it feels like productive forestry is having to vociferously fight its own corner.