A FORESTER, who has spent more than 50 years growing trees, has been given an OBE for services to the industry.

Malcolm Finch has worked for the Forestry Commission and more recently Forestry England (FE) in the east of the country for five decades. 

In that time, he has seen many changes, from the early days of axes and hours in fire lookout towers to modern-day chainsaws and machinery. 

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With one man, one tractor driver and one planting machine, he was even able to put 12,000 trees in the ground back in the day. His spell running Santon Downham Nursery, Suffolk, saw almost 750,000 trees grown and planted locally, as well as across the country.

Well respected, he is known for his care for colleagues and the people living around where he works, which has ensured a passionate and loyal local community, engaged and proud of their forest.

Malcolm, currently a machine operator with FE, said: “I am really honoured to receive this award for a job I have enjoyed. I have worked in nice places, with nice people as well as enjoying my work.

“I hope I have done a little bit to help the new forestry generation but one can only hope.”