Foresting Tomorrow

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak, Rasmus Pedersen, and Benjamin Lauridsen.

In episode #23, we explore North America’s tallest mass timber skyscraper breaking ground in Milwaukee and what it signals for the future of timber construction. We discuss how engineered wood is competing with steel and concrete, the role of digital modelling in mass timber buildings, and what it takes to make wood more reliable.

We also dive into AI’s growing role in forestry, based on an interesting study about trust in decision-making compared to the associated risks. How much do professionals trust AI-driven decisions? What are the challenges of adoption? And can digital tools really replace traditional forest management?

Finally, we revisit the evolving impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), its potential effect on global timber markets, and prospects for trade shifts across various countries - along with the big question: will another postponement be on the horizon?

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak, Rasmus Pedersen, and Benjamin Lauridsen. In episode #22, we welcome Maximilian Pramreiter, Senior Scientist at BOKU University and host of the WoodCAST podcast.

We start with an introduction to Max’s journey into wood science—beginning at HTL Kuchl, continuing through his studies in wood technology and management at BOKU University, and his research on structural wood-based materials. He has worked extensively on wood-based construction materials, with a particular focus on high-performance applications such as automotive design.

We discuss how finite element modeling and advanced material science are helping wood compete with traditional materials like steel. Maximilian shares insights into wood’s potential in automotive design and the challenges of predicting wood behavior.

We also dive into the global shift in forestry resources, exploring how climate change is affecting the availability and quality of raw materials. Maximilian explains the difficulties of replacing spruce with alternative species and how wood-based materials will need to adapt to a changing world.

All in all, a fascinating episode packed with insights into forestry, material science, and the future of sustainable wood applications.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak, Rasmus Pedersen, and now Benjamin Lauridsen. In episode #21, we discuss how policy shifts and technological advancements are shaping forestry worldwide.

First, we break down Trump’s executive order, which expands logging across 280 million acres of U.S. national forests, bypassing endangered species protections and raising concerns about biodiversity loss and wildfire risks.

We then examine the growing forestry trade battle between the U.S. and the EU. A coalition of 18 U.S. states is pushing back against the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), arguing that it unfairly burdens American timber exports.

Next, we explore how a new 3D Earth observation satellite system could revolutionise environmental monitoring and forestry management. With high-frequency, high-resolution mapping, this initiative aims to update global 3D maps annually, providing real-time insights into land-use changes.

Finally, we look at New Zealand’s mobile coverage breakthrough, where SpaceX Starlink and OneNZ are enabling foresters to send texts from even the most remote locations—boosting efficiency and safety in the field.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #20, Jens and Benjamin welcome special guests Ben Gunneberg (UKWAS Chair) and Peter Wilson (UKWAS Working Group Chair).

We begin with an introduction to these two distinguished guests, whose extensive and inspirational careers in UK forestry include roles in organisations such as the Timber Growers Association, PEFC, UKWAS, SBP, and the Institute of Chartered Foresters, to name a few.

We then turn our attention to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS)—how it all started, the fact that UKWAS is not a scheme but a standard-setting body, and how it was first endorsed by FSC before later being recognised by PEFC. We discuss the evolution of UKWAS across five versions, highlighting both successes and challenges along the way.

Additionally, we explore whether other countries have considered adopting a similar setup and whether any have attempted it over the years. The discussion concludes with the current state of Version 5, which is in a challenging position as it awaits FSC International’s endorsement.

All in all, this episode is packed with insights and knowledge about UKWAS, PEFC, and FSC—essential listening for anyone interested in forestry certification and sustainability.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #19, we take a quick trip down history lane to uncover the Lumber War—the long-standing softwood dispute between the U.S. and Canada. We also explore some key lessons learned from tariffs in general. Next, we shift our attention to chainsaw innovations, diving into the history of chainsaws and how they have evolved over time—from early cumbersome models to today’s lightweight, battery-powered, and AI-assisted saws.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #18, we discuss a fascinating study conducted on 20,000 trees from 33 species across Europe. The study explores species detection using laser scanners and photogrammetry, with the best models achieving around 80% accuracy. We also revisit the topic of planting machines. A Swedish company, Plantma Forestry, has developed a two-person-operated forwarder with a mounted cabin and mechanics, capable of planting 3,000 seedlings per hour with survival rates nearing 90%.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #17, we are honoured to have Michael Koldsø from WSP Denmark in the studio. Michael describes himself as a passionate tree-geek, FSC, PEFC, and ISCC Auditor with a focus on forest, chain of custody, and biomass certification. In addition to his professional expertise, he is also a dedicated ultra-runner with an impressive CV.

In this episode, we dive into Michael's role at WSP Denmark, how he structures his week, and what it takes to become an auditor. We discuss the diverse aspects of Michael’s everyday work, including the vast number of companies he visits, the differences between certification standards, and the role of WSP as a global organisation. We also explore the EUDR, its importance, and the implications of its postponement. Lastly, we delve into the role of technology in the certification process and how certification schemes might evolve in the future.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #16, we revisit our favourite satellite, LignoSat, and are thrilled to learn that it is now in Earth's orbit. We also discuss the main objective of wooden satellites—reducing space debris. Next, we turn our attention to the devastating wildfires in and around Los Angeles and the massive water shortages hindering firefighting efforts. Lastly, we explore Wyvern, a company providing space-based hyperspectral imagery, which unlocks numerous opportunities for enriching forest data.

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #15, we explore forestry practices beyond Denmark. Benjamin Lauridsen, a valued member of our Forsler team and a trained forest and landscape engineer, begins by offering an in-depth look at Denmark’s forestry practices, highlighting its unique strategies and challenges. From there, he takes us on a journey through neighbouring Sweden and Norway, exploring the similarities and differences in their approaches. We also briefly touch on forestry in Germany before diving into the details of the UK, focusing on their forestry frameworks, including the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS).

Foresting Tomorrow is a weekly podcast hosted by Jens Isbak and Rasmus Pedersen. In episode #14, The Christmas Special, we shift the focus to someone we rarely talk about – ourselves. We reflect on our journey into forestry, starting with robots for branch pruning and leading up to today, one year into the global rollout of Forsler. We also revisit our first Vlog from 2019 and share our outlook for season 2 of Foresting Tomorrow in 2025 – a year where we’ll welcome guests for dedicated specials.