Well, here it is then, our first newsletter of 2023. Scary, huh? Let's not allow the fact our lives are passing by in a flash stop us from enjoying the year ahead. And what a year it looks like being.
After 2022 saw many events return in person for the first time since before the pandemic, the next 12 months should consolidate that sense of normality we're all feeling (whatever that really means).
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From long-established showpieces, to exciting new dates for the diary, there is plenty in store to get tongues wagging. While we continue to come to terms with the fact the 2020 was now three years ago (!), let's take a look at some of the standout events to come during 2023.
1) Swedish Forestry Expo
June 1 to 3
Solvalla, Stockholm, Sweden
One of the year's main events is also its newest. Having originally been scheduled for 2021 but delayed by the pandemic, the Swedish Forestry Expo will make its debut in June. And we can't wait.
Taking place in the north of the city – a stone's throw from Bromma Stockholm Airport – the fair is all about large-scale forestry. Big machines will be at its heart, as will accessories. Said to be "by the trade, for the trade", its list of exhibitors includes John Deere, Rottne, and Ponsse.
Gabriel Börjesson, exhibition manager, said in October 2021: "There has been an enormous interest for the fair, both national and international.
"The fair is sold out and we receive daily inquiries from exhibitors and visitors from all around the world."
forestryexpo.se/en
2) Euroforest
June 22 to 24
Saint-Bonnet-de-Joux, France
From the new to the long established. One of the year's most notable returning events is Euroforest, which will see around 40,000 attendees head into the woods around an hour and a half north of Lyon for the three-day showpiece.
A little like the UK's own APF, it offers the best of both arb and forestry, with chippers, chainsaws, and even horse loggers among the must-see sights.
While the list of exhibitors for this year's event remains unconfirmed, it is believed to be around 400 long. In 2018, when Euroforest last took place, it included Haix, Stihl, and Kesla.
euroforest.fr/en
3) Confor Woodland Show
September 21 and 22
Bath and West Showground, UK
Last held in 2019, Confor's Woodland Show presents large-scale machinery and arb supplies, nurseries, tree-planting and woodland management.
There were more than 100 exhibitors at its last edition, with Home Forestry, Jas P Wilson and Cat all delighting in the chance to demonstrate their products to thousands of eyeballs.
The show also included seminars and expert presentations on the main topics of the day, such as the UK's need to reduce its reliance on imported timber (sound familiar?).
As it stands, details on 2023's show remain light but more will become clear in time.
confor.org.uk
4) Arb Show
May 12 and 13
Westonbirt, UK
After the success of the Arb Show taking place concurrently at APF 2022, one the UK's biggest arboricultural events is back in its own right. For the first time since 2019, arborists and tree surgeons will head to Westonbirt to see the latest industry trends and equipment, and hear its current talking points.
While a full list of exhibitors is yet to be released, the show should also boast an Arb Worker Zone and competitions, such as a knot-tying contest.
Speaking during the ARB Show at APF, Arboricultural Association (AA) chief executive John Parker said: “We are really, really pleased with how it’s gone. The APF is a huge show and so is the ARB Show.
“The opportunity arose, post-COVID, to review everything we were doing and how it works.
“We have combined the shows this year to see how it works. We’ll review it before deciding if it’s something we want to do again.”
trees.org.uk/The-ARB-Show
5) Royal Welsh Show
July 24 to 27
Llanelwedd, UK
Last but not least, its a short hop across the English/Welsh border to the Royal Welsh Showground for an annual event – but don't let that fool you. The Royal Welsh Show remains as popular as ever, and continues to provide a welcome meeting point for forestry/arb professionals. It also gives locals the chance to see products they might otherwise have to travel for.
At 2022's event, farming, tree-planting and government bureaucracy generated plenty of discussion in a nation that lags behind the rest of the UK in its attempts to hit tree-planting targets.
Tilhill and Maelor Nurseries were among forestry-related exhibitors last year, with a full list of 2023's due to be unveiled soon.
rwas.wales/royal-welsh/
This piece is an extract from last 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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