We present an analytical model to compute the field scattered from a cloud of finite rough cylinders. The scheme presented in this paper allows the calculation of the ensemble averaged covariance matrix of the scattered field in terms of the correlation function of the cylinder roughness and thus obviates the need for a full-fledged monte-carlo simulation. Using our analytical model, we compare the back-scattered polarisation response of a cloud of rough cylinders to that of a cloud of smooth cylinders - it is found that depending on the cylinder radius and orientation, the surface roughness can have a significant impact on this response. The analytical model presented in this paper allows for an easy and computationally efficient inclusion of cylinder surface roughness into the existing forest models. © 2016 IEEE.