If you’re working in forestry right now, you don’t need a lecture on rising costs – you’re living it. Machinery prices are creeping up. Fuel’s still volatile. And the jobs keep getting harder.

It’s not just about inflation. 2025 has brought another wave of challenges to the forestry industry: wildfires, droughts, biosecurity threats, and the rising cost of keeping your operation running. Delaying investment in new or replacement machinery can leave you stuck and underpowered just when you need to move quickly.

That’s where flexible forestry finance comes in. It helps you access the kit you need now, without tying up your working capital or stalling your business.

Why 2025 Is Different

The pressures on forestry businesses this year aren’t easing up – they’re piling on.

• Biosecurity threats are widespread: Ash dieback could wipe out up to 80% of the UK’s ash trees. Larch, a staple timber species, is under attack from Phytophthora ramorum. Other invasive organisms, like Ips typographus and Phytophthora pluvialis, continue to threaten woodland health and timber supply.
• Environmental pressures are intensifying: 2025 has seen the largest wildfire footprint since UK records began. Drought across England has made this the driest start to the year since 1976, pushing up fire risk and slowing regeneration. And with storm seasons becoming more volatile, the increased risk of windthrow and windsnap damage is higher than ever.
• Wildlife is playing a part too: The UK deer population has surged from around 450,000 in the 1970s to nearly 2 million today, stripping young woodland bare and crushing any chance of natural regrowth.

All of this adds up to more complex, unpredictable, and expensive workloads – with tighter margins and tougher decisions.

The Cost of Standing Still

When your harvester or forwarder is off the job, so are you.

Whether you’re clearing diseased trees, replanting in harsh conditions, or responding to storm damage, you need reliable equipment. And if you’re bidding for contracts, delays from poor machinery could mean missed opportunities.

If you’re still hesitating because of the upfront cost of new kit – you’re not alone. But standing still could be costing you more than you think.

What Forestry Finance Actually Looks Like

Forestry finance isn’t just a loan. It’s a tool that helps you keep pace with your operation – and the industry – without stalling your cash flow.

You can use it to fund:

• Harvesters
• Forwarders
• Skidders and winches
• Mulchers
• Wood chippers
• Specialist machinery for thinning, extraction, or biomass

It works for new and used machinery, and you can choose terms and structures that fit your business. It’s about flexibility, not fixed boxes.

Why Flexible Finance Makes Sense in Forestry

Forestry doesn’t follow a neat calendar. Income comes in cycles. Weather and workloads don’t always line up. That’s why rigid payment plans just don’t work for woodland businesses.

With the right finance, you can:

• Spread the cost of essential kit
• Align payments with seasonal income or contract stages
• Access funding in instalments – when your project actually needs it
• Free up working capital for things like staffing, repairs, or restocking

You don’t have to stretch yourself thin to upgrade or expand. You just need the right tools, on the right terms.

Why Work With Peregrine

We’ve been financing rural, environmental, and land-based industries for more than 25 years. We’re not just another lender – we’re a team that understands your world.

We know what happens when your forwarder breaks down mid-harvest. We understand that your income might depend on one big job a year, not a steady monthly retainer. And we respect that forestry isn’t just a business – it’s hard graft, long-term thinking, and adapting fast to whatever the land throws at you.

That’s why we keep things simple, fast, and flexible.

Ready to Grow? Let’s Talk

You’re already battling unpredictable weather, rising fuel costs, and tighter returns. Holding off on new machinery might feel safe, but it could leave you exposed just when you need to be most resilient.

With forestry finance that fits the way you actually operate, you can get the kit you need now and spread the cost in a way that makes sense.

Get in touch today and let’s talk about how we can help you stay equipped, stable, and ready for whatever’s next.