Some folk might find this interesting.
There is a very small area of standing timber and for various reasons I needed to know the nett value of the standing timber (after costs etc). So I engaged the services of a professional and this is his report. There were quite a few things that I'd not considered/realised such as a felling licence and replanting costs.
From my measurements today you have
Japanese Larch 14 trees giving 28.05m3
Lawson Cypress 6 trees, 6.13m3
Norway spruce and Douglas Fir- 1 tree of each totalling 0.61m3
and Lime/Oak/Sycamore/ Birch/ Goat Willow/Ash and Elm 23 trees totalling 42.97m3
This gives a total of 77.76m3 or about 60 tonnes
At current market prices, and allowing for harvesting costs I estimate the present value to be in the region of £1130. Due to the small quantity, if I maximise the breakout I end up having to pay high haulage rates for part loads which gives me an overall lower value, so I have priced it all as either hardwood firewood or conifer chipwood sold to Egger at Hexham.
I have attached a brochure from Forestry England regarding the requirement for felling licences. Within reason gardens seem to be exempt but this could be at the discretion of the FC Woodland Officer. Otherwise you can fell 5m3/ quarter without a licence, and with no obligation to replant.
The cost to replant the area using native broadleaves in 1.3m shelters will be about £500 (excl VAT). The stock fence would need to be improved to keep the stock from damaging the young trees.
Over the last few years, we've been taking down trees to open up the woodland and let some light and air in. Never, ever thought that we might have needed a Felling licence (we don't as the 5m3/quarter rule applies)