Forest Policies and Social Change in England

Abstract

Introduction.- 1. Woodlands as landscapes of power. 1.1 British woodlands, from nature to culture. 1.1.1 The natural woodland. 1.1.2 The beginnings of cultivation. 1.2 Woodlands as spaces of exclusion. 1.2.1 The Forest Law. 1.2.2 Hunting as an aristocratic privilege. 1.2.3 Reactions and controversy. 1.3 The economic balance between agriculture and forestry. 1.3.1 Woodlands as residual land use. 1.3.2 The uses of wood and timber. 1.3.3 The beginnings of plantations. 1.4 Wooden walls and hearts of oak. 1.4.1 Political identity. 1.4.2 The oak and the navy. 1.4.3 Hardwoods and social status. 1.4.4 The aesthetics of tree-planting.- PART 1: THE INSTITUTIONALISATION OF FORESTRY. 2. New relationships with the woodland. 2.1 Agriculture in crisis. 2.1.1 The end of the landed aristocracy. 2.1.2 Changing needs in woodland products. 2.2 The emergence of scientific forestry. 2.2.1 The disappearance of amateurism. 2.2.2 Towards a national forest policy. 2.3 Urbanisation and the rural idyll. 2.3.1 The growth of cities. 2.3.2 'Urban hells' versus forest heritage. 2.4 Woodland and leisure for the working-class. 2.4.1 The public park movement. 2.4.2 Woodlands for recreation.- 3. The productivist dream and its aftermath. 3.1 The traumatic context of World War I. 3.1.1 The Acland Committee. 3.1.2 The Forestry Commission at its beginnings. 3.1.3 The first international congresses. 3.2 Post-Second World War priorities. 3.2.1 Post-War Forestry Acts. 3.2.2 Economic priorities. 3.3 Waking up. 3.3.1 Acknowledging failure. 3.3.2 Structural changes. 3.4 New labour and the England forestry strategy. 3.4.1 Changing the emphasis of forestry. 3.4.2 Devolution and decentralisation.- 4. Widening the scope. 4.1 Amenity. 4.1.1 Landscaping the plantations. 4.1.2 Providing for leisure needs. 4.2 Conservation. 4.2.1 The ecological value of forests. 4.2.2 Protecting ancient woodlands. 4.3 Sustainability: a new preoccupation inforestry. 4.3.1 International policies. 4.3.2 The European dimension. 4.3.3 Sustainability in British forests. 4.4 Integrating all forestry missions. 4.4.1 Governmental policies. 4.4.2 From the global to the local.- 5. Forestry comes to town. 5.1 The origin of the concept. 5.1.1 Genesis and definitions. 5.1.2 Coming of age. 5.2 Importing the concept. 5.2.1 Urban living in Europe. 5.2.2 Research and education. 5.3 Urban forestry and Britain. 5.3.1 Building up a toolkit. 5.3.2 From resistance to acceptance. 5.4 Governmental involvement. 5.4.1 Raising awareness. 5.4.2 Local Government. 5.4.3 The creation of the Community Forests.- PART 2: MULTI-PURPOSE FORESTRY: ANOTHER NAME FOR UTOPIA? 6. The economy of postproductivist forestry: the impossible challenge? 6.1 The meanings of 'profitability'. 6.1.1 Market benefits. 6.1.2 Non-market benefits. 6.1.3 New mechanisms. 6.2. New outlets for forest products. 6.2.1 Certification. 6.2.2 Niche markets. 6.3 The markets of recreation and tourism. 6.3.1 The 'leisure explosion'. 6.3.2 Woodland and tourism.- 7. Phoenix reborn: the role of forestry in regeneration. 7.1 Rural regeneration. 7.1.1 Objectives and incentives. 7.1.2 Resistances. 7.1.3 Assessment. 7.2 Industrial and urban regeneration. 7.2.1 Rationale. 7.2.2 Strategies. 7.2.3 Landfill sites. 7.2.4 Mines and industrial sites. 7.2.5 The case of the National Forest. 7.2.6 Assessment.- 8. The contribution of woodlands to the environment. 8.1 The benefits of trees. 8.1.1 Absorption. 8.1.2 Regulation. 8.1.3 Protection. 8.2 The 'field of dreams'. 8.2.1 Trendy trees and the corporate image. 8.2.2 Tree planting versus climate change: myths and realities. 8.2.3 The limits of 'green power'. 8.2.4 Caring and choosing. 8.3 Tree planting and environmental law. 8.3.1 Complying with regulations and expectations. 8.3.2 Has the bubble burst?- 9. Social forestry and the health and education