About Forest Garden

Forest Garden Ltd is the market leader in timber outdoor living products, primarily garden buildings, fencing, decking and decorative garden structures. The business has two main brands, namely Forest and Larchlap.

Forest Garden Ltd was formed when Forest Fencing bought its rival, Larchlap, in 1999. The acquisition was made possible by 3i who became the principle investor in 1998.

May 2006 saw a change back into private hands with a buy out by former owner Michael Timmis and Chief Executive Jonathan Halford.

2006 was a year of rapid expansion through acquisition and organic growth. A new management structure integrated a number of operational processes to ensure faster response to market demands – while retaining an absolute commitment to the further development of both the Forest and Larchlap brands through their respective channels.

Forest Garden is the manufacturing and distribution arm of the business and is based in Hartlebury, Worcestershire. It proudly boasts the largest manufacturing and distribution sites in its sector from where it delivers weekly to over 3,000 retail outlets in peak season. In addition is had a home delivery service, where your order is delivered direct to your door – this service sees a staggering 60,000 delivers a year.

Forest Garden Group Timber Policy

As a manufacturer of products using natural materials, Forest Garden Ltd is fully committed to using the timber it buys in a responsible and efficient way. Forest acknowledges that sustainability and the environment are now key issues in the forestry industry.

Forest Garden is in a position to influence both supply and demand in the market, and thus contribute to the development of environmental solutions in the forestry sector. Forest Garden fully supports those responsible forest management practices that promote forest sustainability and result in long-term environmental, social and economic benefit.

Forest is able to demonstrate their commitment to responsible forestry through their accreditation to the FSC Chain of custody Certification. Forest gives purchasing preference to certified forest products – Forest defines this as those materials that originate in forests that have been independently audited and certified as well managed by a credible, independent third party.

Forest Garden ensure that the supply of FSC material is monitored and recorded, providing absolute traceability throughout the manufacturing process. They are committed to the continuous improvement in the level of FSC material sourced and endeavours to, wherever possible, source non-round wood materials from FSC approved sources.

Forest Garden does not procure material from:

• controversial or illegal harvested sources
• from areas where customary or civil rights are violated
• from uncertified high conservation value / old growth forest
• from forests being converted to plantations
• or from forest in which genetically modified trees are planted.

Forest Garden is committed to not trading in uncontrolled timber and timber products. In order to achieve this commitment, the Forest Garden Ltd ‘Controlled Wood Procedure’ has been implemented and will be utilized to help ascertain:

• country/district of timber origin
• evidence that logging related laws in the country/district are enforced
• evidence that timber harvests and purchases in the country/district are legal
• there are no reports of illegal harvesting in the country / district
• there is no evidence that harvesting and purchasing of timber in the country/district could be influenced by corruption.

Protecting The Environment Most of the timber used by Forest is cut in their own sawmills from trees which have been grown in UK forest. These woodlands come under the control of the Forestry Commission – this government agency has a statutory duty to ensure sustainable management of existing woodland and must comply with sound environment practice.

Forest Guarantees, Aftercare and Safety

Most of Forest Garden’s products are guaranteed for either 10 or 15 years against rot through either pressure treatment or dip treatment.

Pressure Treated Timber

Forest timber items which are designed to be in ground contact are pressure impregnated with Osmose Naturewood preservative (a timber preservative which contains copper and an organic co-biocide), an effective method used to preserve wood against fungal decay and insect attack. Osmose is a trusted name in wood preservation and supplies preservative products to a worldwide market. A decorative dye is added to the preservative process to ensure every piece of timber is coloured and preserved in one operation. This colour will fade over time to a honey brown colour.
Stains and water repellents may be applied immediately if required, providing you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If Osmose treated timber is cut, notched or drilled it is recommended that an approved cut end treatment be applied- failure to do so may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Dipped Treated Products

Forest Garden products that have been dip treated should be isolated from the ground with a pressure impregnated gravel board to comply with the conditions of the guarantee. Dipped products will fade with time.
Colour is applied during manufacture to compensate for the inconsistent natural appearance of British redwoods. This colour is not permanent and to retain the factory finish, treatment should be reapplied regularly. To change the colour, allow the product to mature before applying a proprietary brand.

Conditions Of The Forest Guarantee

• Dip treated products must not be installed in direct contact with the ground or into water.
• Dip treated fence panels must be installed with a pressure treated gravel board to isolate it from ground contact.
• Dip treated products must be retreated every year with a suitable timber preservative.
• Dip and pressure treated products must be installed in line with our assembly instructions.
• Pressure treated timber that is cut during assembly or any time afterwards, must be treated with a suitable preservative in order to re-seal the timber and protect it from water ingress and fungal attack.
• You must retain your proof of purchase in order to claim on the above guarantee.

These do not affect your statutory rights.

Effects Of The Weather

Wood is a natural product and therefore susceptible to certain changes in an outside environment. Extremes of temperature or changes in weather conditions will cause a reaction in timber used outdoors. Heat may cause panels to lose shape but this process will be reversed when temperatures subside. Posts and pergola may warp in higher than normal temperatures. This is perfectly natural and in all but the most extreme cases normal shape returns. Sawn timber and particularly machine-rounded items such as sleepers and palisades may split. This will not affect the structural strength of the wood or your guarantee. If installed correctly and treated regularly, Forest products will give years of service and pleasure.

Handling And Use Recommendations

The preservatives in Osmose Naturewood are frequently used in products that are common in our everyday lives. Copper, a naturally occurring mineral, is an effective and widely used fungicide and quaternary compounds are commonly used in household disinfectants and cleaners. Osmose Naturewood preservatives penetrate deeply into the wood and will remain for a long period of time. However, some preservative may migrate from the wood into surrounding soil over time and there may also be incidental contact with the skin during construction or use.

• Wear a dust mask, goggles and gloves when cutting or handling wood.
• All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of.
• Wash hands in normal soapy water and prior to handling food.
• Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing before re-use.
• Preserved wood should not be used where it may come into direct contact or indirect contact with drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as fresh water docks and bridges.
• Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed or beehives.
• The product should be disposed to normal landfill in keeping with the legislation in place at the time. It should not be burned other than in an approved incinerator.
• Osmose treated timber is not recommended for use in small garden ponds of stagnant water where fish will be kept. In the case of a lake or a pond with fresh running water. Osmose treated timber is perfectly suitable.