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Weymouth pine (WEP)

Weymouth pine (also known as eastern white pine) is one of the most valuable and versatile tree species in eastern North America. It played a major role in the settlement and development of New England, and early on the species was recognised for its value as ship masts for the Royal Navy.  It is the state tree of Maine and Michigan. Introduced to Britain early in the 1700 s the tree was widely planted and popular in estate forestry, but fell out of favour with the arrival of white pine blister rust.  The issues with this disease restricted the wider use or trialling of the species in Britain. Recent work has demonstrated that if used appropriately Weymouth pine may have a role in forest diversification. Weymouth pine 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 examination in a limited number of trial plots.

Radiata pine, Monterey pine (RAP)

Radiata pine is one of the world’s most successful plantation species, especially in the southern hemisphere. Not only does it grow well on a range of sites from the highland sub-tropics to milder temperate regions, but it often grows exceptionally fast. Owing to its widespread success the timber is well known in the trade. It is the principal plantation species grown in Australia, Chile, and New Zealand. On the right site, radiata pine has the potential to be the fastest growing and most productive pine in Britain. The species should benefit as the climate warms and becomes more ‘Mediterranean’ so that a wider range of sites in southern and lowland Britain become suitable for planting. Radiata pine is listed as endangered by the IUCN. Radiata pine is categorised as a secondary tree species. These are species 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.

Maritime pine (MAP)

Maritime pine has a wide natural distribution throughout the Mediterranean region, but the natural range is unclear due to extensive planting. Main uses are the stabilisation of sand dunes and as a forest species on low fertility soils. The Les Landes forest in south-west France covers 900,000 ha and is the world’s largest man-made forest. In Britain past plantings in the south of England have grown well but it has not been widely planted. There is growing interest in maritime pine for forest diversification particularly where Corsican pine is the dominant species. This is a species which could play a larger role in forests in southern Britain and coastal regions with climate warming if improved varieties were used. Maritime pine is categorised as a Secondary tree species.  These are species 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.

Oriental spruce (ORS)

Oriental spruce is a medium-sized conifer native to mountainous areas in Caucasia and north-eastern Turkey. It is an important timber species with wood qualities equivalent to Norway spruce. The species will hybridise freely with other spruce species. Oriental spruce has demonstrated some potential as an alternative species and could be planted where conditions suit as part of forest diversification. Oriental spruce is categorised as a plot-stage species.  These are species that have shown some positive silvicultural characteristics at the Specimen-stage and are now subject to further testing and development in a limited number of trial plots.

Shining gum (SHE)

A fast-growing hardy eucalypt with potential as a timber species which is being grown in extensive plantations in Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and South Africa mainly for wood pulp. Currently being evaluated in Britain but is known to be less cold tolerant than cider gum (E. gunnii). This species is cold limited in Britain and is restricted to mild, lowland sites or those close to the coast. Climate warming may increase potential for utilization. Shining gum is categorised as a Secondary tree species.  These are species 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.

Andrew Leslie

Atlas cedar (ACR)

The true cedars (Cedrus spp.) comprise four closely related species; three that intergrade across their discontinuous range in Turkey and north-west Africa with a separate species Cedrus deodara occurring in the western Himalayas. Their fine timber has become a watchword for quality with many other species, including non-conifers, called ‘cedar’ to convey this. All three cedars – Atlas, deodar, and Lebanon – have long been valued, notably cedar-of-Lebanon, as the timber of choice for palaces and temples in classical times. In the UK Atlas (or Atlantic) cedar has the potential for wider use as the climate warms. It could become a valuable addition to the suite of species for lowland planting in southern Britain, particularly where soils are neutral to calcareous. Atlas cedar is listed as endangered by the IUCN. Atlas cedar 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.

Noble fir (NF)

A non-native, under-utilized species that has potential as a productive tree species for forest diversification. It can tolerate exposure better than Douglas-fir and grand fir, can be slow to establish, but subsequent growth is rapid.  Its timber is perceived to be poor, but only limited testing has taken place in Britain. Noble fir is categorised as a Principal tree species. These are tree species where 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.

Pacific silver fir (PSF)

Pacific silver fir is one of the major tree species in the forests of the Pacific north-west but has received little attention in Britain. Research and experience have demonstrated that it has the potential to be as productive as many of the commonly planted conifers and should be considered for wider use in the wetter, upland areas of the country where Sitka spruce dominates. Its ability to tolerate heavy shade and regenerate under suitable conditions means this is a species suited to continuous cover forestry and forest diversification. Pacific silver fir is categorised as a secondary tree species.  These are species 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.

Western hemlock (WH)

A fast-growing, non-native conifer that produces timber with good wood properties. Traditionally seen as a species suited to upland forestry evidence and practice is demonstrating it has a wider niche; it is consequently being more widely planted across Britain where conditions suit as part of forest diversification.  Being shade tolerant and able to regenerate freely makes it a species suited to continuous cover forestry. Western hemlock is categorised as a principal tree species. These are tree species where 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.

Wild service tree (WST)

Wild service-tree is a medium-sized native broadleaved species usually associated with being an indicator of ancient woodland sites. Rarely found in pure stands, but sometimes in groups from suckering though usually as individuals in mixed woodlands. It is a useful species when planting hedges of native trees. A highly valued hardwood species in Europe but generally only seen for its rarity and ecological value as a minor native species in Britain. Wild service-tree is likely to adapt well to a warming climate. The tree is sometimes known as the ‘chequers tree’ a reference to its brown spotted fruit. These were used to flavor beer and the ‘chequers’ name can be linked to pubs of that name as well its more common name ‘service-tree’ which derives from the Latin for beer ‘cervisia’. Wild service-tree is native to Britain and considered 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.

Sweet chestnut (SC)

Sweet chestnut was a very early introduction to Britain; possibly by the Romans but often disputed. It occupies approximately 30,000 hectares, or about 2% of woodland cover, and most is in the south of England. Mainly managed as coppice in the past it can produce an attractive hard-wearing timber. It is a species that may increase in use in a warming climate on suitable sites. Our experience of sweet chestnut is likely to have been with roasted chestnuts at Christmas and this highlights its important role as a food source across much of its range. A species that may see increasing use in forestry and for nut production in agroforestry. Sweet chestnut is categorised as a Principal tree species. These are species where existing silvicultural knowledge should 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.