The most obvious sources of woodfuel in Scotland are its forests and woodlands.
Harvesting wood for fuel can take place during the final harvesting of a timber crop (clearfelling), routine operations such as early and late thinning, or the removal of trees for a specific purpose (e.g. conservation and biodiversity). Brash (foliage, small branches etc) and stump harvesting are also being trialled.
There is capacity to produce woodfuel from a wide range of forestry material not suitable for other markets, such as timber harvesting by-products and thinnings.
Over one third of Forestry Commission Scotland's national forest estate production is sold on the open market.
Undermanaged farm and estate woodlands have the potential to provide a significant supply of woodfuel.