Wood engraver Howard Phipps was commissioned to produce the Sylva Foundation logo

During 2008 we commissioned wood engraver Howard Phipps to produce the design for our new logo. Working with the end grain of a tiny block of box (Buxus sempevirens), Howard incorporated oak and larch branches in the design to depict our interest in hardwood and coniferous forestry, and a log face to emphasise our support for wood production.

A great story appeared in the British media on March 27th.  Celebrated artist David Hockney had started depicting a wood through the seasons and after completing the Autumn and Winter paintings, returned this Spring only to find the wood had been felled.  It is a ‘great’ story as it reflects the current public point of view about managing our woods.  It also provides us with an opportunity to comment on a story with wide public interest.

The Guardian newspaper ran the story: read it here.

We thought the article by the Guardian was a little one sided and perhaps should have considered the wonderful benefits arising during the management of the wood since it was planted about 200 years ago, and the natural products that will now be produced from the timber.  These might have included the wooden handles for David Hockey’s paint brushes, the wooden frame on which his canvasses are stetched and so on.  Where do people think this wood comes from?

With our friends at Living Woods magazine we have submitted a response to the Guardian – let’s hope it gets published.  

Update: 

The Guardian published our letter today (1st April).  You can read it here.

Even David Hockney himself has joined the debate.