Search Results

Lenga (NPU)

Lenga is a temperate species growing on a wide variety of sites from sea level to 2000 m. It is one of several southern beeches growing in South America and is the second most abundant tree species in Chile and Argentina; it is largely underutilised. The wood is quite versatile and easy to process and could be a substitute for maple and cherry. Little is planted in Britain, but Lenga could find a niche in the right sites to assist with forest diversification. Lenga is categorised as a plot-stage species.  These are species that have demonstrated some positive silvicultural characteristics at the Specimen-stage and are now subject to further testing and development in a limited number of trial plots.

Roble (RON)

Nothofagus is a southern hemisphere genus in the Fagaceae family and relatively close taxonomically to our native beech. Roble, and its sister species Rauli (N. alpina), were introduced early in the 20th Century and widely planted as individuals and in small plots as a promising exotic broadleaved tree. It is currently cold limited in Britain, but this species may benefit from climate warming and be suited to a wider range of sites in northern Britain, wherever its site requirements are met. Roble is categorised as a Secondary tree species.  These are species that have demonstrated positive silvicultural characteristics in trial plots, but gaps in our knowledge constrain their wider use. These species are being actively evaluated to increase understanding and inform future deployment.

Rauli (RAN)

Nothofagus is a southern hemisphere genus in the Fagaceae family and relatively close taxonomically to our native beech though with a lighter timber. Rauli, and its sister species Roble, were introduced early in the 20th Century and widely planted as individuals and in small plots as a promising fast growing exotic broadleaved tree. Since it is currently cold limited in Britain, this species may benefit from climate warming and be suited to a wider range of sites in northern Britain, wherever its site requirements are met. Rauli is categorised as a secondary tree species.  These are species that have demonstrated positive silvicultural characteristics in trial plots, but gaps in our knowledge constrain their wider use. These species are being actively evaluated to increase understanding and inform future deployment.

Determination, willpower…and a pinch of luck!

My name is Pankajini Samal and I work as a research assistant in the pathology department at Forest Research (FR). I joined in August 2023 from India, so I’m still very new to FR. My job focuses on the use of molecular biology techniques for managing tree disease. I currently work with Pedro Romon-Ochoa (Scientist – […]

Enabling and Encouraging Access to Woodlands for Diverse Publics: An Economic Evidence Review

This review summarises the available economic literature on barriers and enabling factors affecting the ability of specific publics to access woodlands. In particular, distance to woodland, income, socioeconomic variables, health and disability are analysed as factors affecting individuals’ frequency of visits to woodlands and willingness to pay (WTP) for woodland recreation.

Red (Oregon) alder (RAR)

Red alder is a nitrogen-fixing tree suited to wet forests along the Pacific northwest where it grows with a number of other broadleaved and conifer tree species. One of several alder species in these forests each suited to different site conditions. Red alder is one of the largest of the world’s alders and one of the tallest broadleaved species in its range, sometimes growing to 30-40 m in height. Introduced to Britain before 1880 it has received periodic attention in species trials where it initially grows well but can quickly decline and with a few exceptions underperforms. Red alder is a species that could suit short-rotation forestry with its early fast growth and the species ability to fix nitrogen could find it a niche in establishing and diversifying forests in western Britain. Red alder is categorised as a plot-stage species.  These are a group of species that have demonstrated some positive silvicultural characteristics at the Specimen-stage and are now subject to further testing and development in a limited number of trial plots.

Corsican pine (CP)

Corsican pine is one of several black pine species that have geographically distinct ranges across central and southern Europe to Russia, the Balkans and north Africa. There are ongoing taxonomic discussions on nomenclature. Early Corsican pine plantings pointed to better stem form and branching habit than the other black pines. This was possibly the key factor in it being the first pine species to be planted at any scale in Britain by the Forest Commission from 1919. It is still the dominant commercial pine species, but the disease red-band needle blight (Dothistroma septosporum) has seriously affected its productive potential and few new trees are being planted. A species that is likely to do better in a warming climate but with the disease restricting its use research is being undertaken to identify suitable alternative productive species. Corsican pine is categorised as a Principal tree species. These are species where our silvicultural knowledge provides confidence to enable successful deployment across Britain. The species are either already widely used or are increasing in usage. They will continue to be important unless affected by a new pest or disease or become adversely affected by climate change.

Eleanor Gardner

Helen Slater

Forestry & Woodland Resilience to Drought (FORWaRD)

To inform ‘climate resilient forestry’ policy and management, understanding the drought response of UK tree species is crucial but remains largely unquantified. The Forestry & Woodland Resilience to Drought (FORWaRD) project will address these knowledge gaps by providing an integrated assessment of drought resilience for a variety of UK tree species across a range of temporal and spatial scales.

Trees Outside of Woodland: An exploration of social and cultural values

A photo essay based on interviews with 16 arts and humanities practitioners and academics, focusing on their relationship with Trees Outside of Woodland. Key themes that emerge include childhood memories and experiences, emotional connections and the interconnectedness of humans and nature.

Trees and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

A secondary analysis of data from an online, UK representative survey, in-depth interviews and photo elicitation was used to investigate the terms people use to describe trees and places with trees, the importance of trees to perceptions of naturalness and nature connection, and whether trees were associated with greater wellbeing.