Third Quarter 2026 Forestry Market Round Up
A key theme of our Q2 update was a caution evident among buyers, largely as a result of subdued timber prices, and while this caution still remains to some extent, the positive momentum highlighted in our previous update has certainly continued. Tustins has remained busy across all areas of the business, which is especially encouraging given that the summer months and school holidays can traditionally be a quieter period, as many buyers head overseas.
We have been particularly active inspecting properties for marketing, resulting in several exciting new listings launching over the past three months. These include Bryn Ethiniog and Bryniau Isaf in Wales, both extending to just under 70 hectares of commercial forestry, with guide prices of £925,000 and £750,000 respectively. We have also launched two neighbouring properties in Scarborough, North Yorkshire: Cloughton Moor Woods, a 58-hectare commercial forestry investment with a guide price of £900,000, and Cloughton Sawmill Wood, a 33-hectare mixed woodland with planning permission for the construction of 15 holiday lodges, guided at £1,500,000.
Other notable new listings include Knowles Wood near Cullompton in Devon (£255,000), Peniarth in Powys (£280,000) and Holbeam Wood, also in Devon, with a guide price of £95,000. Further details of all the properties mentioned above can be found on our website.
In terms of completed sales, recent transactions include Hallstyle and Oxenbold in Shropshire, comprising 13 hectares of mixed woodland; Dreybury Lane Wood in Devon, extending to 10 hectares; Hatches Wood and Man’s Leg Wood, a 10-hectare property in Buckinghamshire; and Knowles Wood. We have also completed two off-market sales in Wales, comprising 17 and 22 hectares of conifer forestry in Powys. These transactions provide further evidence of the continued strength of the smaller woodland market.
Alongside completed sales, Tustins has seen a steady stream of agreed sales throughout the last quarter with August a particularly strong month, proving to be our busiest month of the year so far.
Anthony has also continued to develop the acquisitions arm of the business, undertaking property inspections across England, Wales and Scotland on behalf of clients. This included a 180-hectare commercial forestry property in Cumbria, on which Anthony advised a client through the acquisition process, resulting in a successful purchase.
Overall, the past quarter has continued to demonstrate encouraging levels of activity across the woodland and forestry market. While buyer caution remains a factor, the volume of new instructions, agreed transactions and completed sales suggests that demand remains resilient, particularly for smaller woodland investments and well-priced commercial forestry opportunities. Q4 will see Andy Burnham deliver his first budget as prime minister and it remains to be seen what impact, if any, this might have on our sector.
