Skip to main content
Contact Us

Search Results

Refine Results

Back

Refine Results

Publish Date:

4042 Search Results

  • Trees

    Lodgepole pine (LP)

    Lodgepole pine is represented by three subspecies with a broad geographic coverage of around 26 million hectares in Canada and the USA.  They are a relatively fast-growing fire adapted species, and their broad natural distribution offers adaptability to a wide range of ecological and environmental conditions. Lodgepole pine have been widely trialled in Britain, but poor provenance choice resulted in trees with very poor form, that were difficult and costly to manage. In addition, lodgepole pine was widely planted in afforestation schemes on challenging upland peats.  These sites are now recognised as ecologically important, and much cost and effort were and still is being put into removing the trees and restoring the habitat. Add its susceptibility to Dothistroma needle blight, lodgepole pine has somewhat fallen out of favour with foresters and landowners. Improved knowledge on provenance choice and the silvicultural use of this species means it does still have a place in forest diversification. Lodgepole pine is categorised as a Principal tree species. These are species where silvicultural knowledge provides confidence to enable their 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.
  • Tools and Resources

    Meeting Notes – 4th July 2023

    Meeting notes from 04/07/2023
  • Staff
  • Staff

    Jordan Rydlewski

    Social Scientist
    Society and environment research group (SERG)
  • Staff

    Emma Hinton

    Social Scientist
    Society and environment research group (SERG)
  • Publications

    Non-hazardous rapeseed oil spray adjuvants for Rhododendron ponticum shrub control

    Lead Author: Ian Willoughby
    Non-hazardous rapeseed oil spray adjuvants do not improve the rainfastness or effectiveness of glyphosate for Rhododendron ponticum shrub control.
  • Research
  • Staff

    Toby Robson

    Environmental Modeller
    Mensuration, growth and yield
  • Trees

    Italian alder (IAR)

    Italian alder is one of around 35 species in the genus Alnus mainly growing in northern temperate forests with a few in central and south America. Italian alder has a restricted range in Italy and Corsica but has been widely planted elsewhere. All alders have a symbiotic relationship with Actinomyces alni (syn. Frankia alni) a bacterium that produces nitrogen fixing nodules on the roots. This ability offers alders, in general, a place in establishing trees on challenging sites, assisting in forest diversification in conifer plantations and as a nurse for more demanding species. Italian alder is a species which may benefit from climate warming since its tolerance of drier soils and alkaline conditions could be valuable in areas of eastern Britain where drought risk may increase. Italian alder is categorised as a Secondary tree species. These are a group that have demonstrated positive silvicultural characteristics in trial plots but gaps in knowledge constrain wider use. The species are being actively evaluated to increase understanding and inform future deployment.
  • Trees

    Sitka spruce (SS)

    Sitka spruce and western hemlock dominate one of the great forest types: the coastal forest of the Pacific Northwest. Sitka is the largest of the spruce Genus (Picea) with some trees growing to a height of 80 m and a dbh of 500 cm. It is only surpassed in size by Douglas-fir in its northern range. Sitka spruce is Britain’s most widely planted productive conifer growing in the milder wetter conditions of the west and north. By area it accounts for c 25% of our forest cover or c 50% of all conifer plantings. Also planted in other countries with a maritime climate i.e., Iceland, Ireland, Norway, and Denmark but not to any extent elsewhere in continental Europe. It has become widely naturalised where grown and considered an invasive species by some conservation organisations. Sitka is likely to do better in the predicted wetter and warming conditions of the west of Britain. Species research is identifying equally productive species to assist with forest diversification and reduce potential risks from pests and disease. It is however challenging promoting replacements for this well understood, fast growing and easy to establish species with known timber qualities and markets. Sitka spruce is categorised as a Principal tree species. These are species where silvicultural knowledge provides confidence to enable their 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.
  • Trees

    Douglas fir (DF)

    Douglas-fir is one of the most economically important conifers in the Pacific northwest. Despite its common name Douglas-fir was discovered by Archibald Menzies in 1793 and introduced to Britain by David Douglas in 1872. Initially planted as estate specimens it is now mainly planted for commercial forestry.  Some of the heritage specimens are now the tallest trees in Britain with examples reaching over 66 m in height. A preference for deep fertile soils in sheltered sites has limited its use by many foresters. However, it is growing in popularity as an alternative forestry species to aid in diversification as the silvicultural knowledge has improved. Douglas-fir is categorised as a Principal tree species. These are species where our silvicultural knowledge provides confidence for their 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.
  • Trees

    Hornbeam (HBM)

    Hornbeam is a common, long-lived native hardwood found on heavier soils in lowland Britain. It is sometimes confused with beech owing to similarity in leaf shape and smooth, greyish bark. It was widely grown throughout the London basin to provide the capital’s firewood in the Middle Ages. Past management was predominantly coppice, and it is still the most extensive traditional coppice species after hazel and sweet chestnut. Its wood is dense, hard, difficult to chop and little used in milling/carpentry as it quickly blunts tools. Outside of coppice plantations in Britain hornbeam is naturally found in mixed broadleaved forests with oaks. Pure stands are rare and likely a consequence of human intervention. Hornbeam is a native species in Britain and classified as a Principal Trees Species.  This indicates that our silvicultural knowledge of the species should enable successful deployment across Britain. Such 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.