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New Forestry Minister visits Alice Holt and announces £16 million NCF funding

Greg Counsell

Grace van der Wielen

George Murrell

Rachel Orchard

A Farmer’s Guide to Ash Dieback

Serbian spruce (OMS)

Serbian spruce was once widespread in Europe, but became a victim of the last ice-age and is now a relict limited to refugium in a confined area of the Balkans. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN. An elegant tree instantly recognisable by its narrow spire like form and drooping branches; a natural adaptation to shedding snow. Serbian spruce was one of many species trialled in Britain, but never widely planted. However, its silvicultural characteristics could enable it to fill a niche in UK forest diversification. Serbian spruce 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. These species are being actively evaluated to increase understanding and inform future deployment.

Small-leaved lime (SLI)

Small-leaved lime is a long-lived tree (up to 500 years) and one of two native species. It occasionally occurs in pure stands but usually as a component of mixed broadleaved woodlands. It has a wider distribution and is more common than the other native large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos) The hybrid (T. x europaea) of small and large-leaved lime is very widely planted especially in parkland and avenues. Limes exude copious amounts of aphid honeydew in summer and can be an irritation if you park your car under one. Once a dominant forest species it declined after 3000 BC largely due to human activity. Lime woodlands that still exist largely remain due to local historical importance and are often linked to local place names e.g., Lyndhurst (Hampshire), Limpole (Northamptonshire) and Linwood (Lincolnshire). Small-leaved lime is a native tree and is categorised as a secondary tree species. These are tree 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.

Wellingtonia, Giant sequoia (WSQ)

Wellingtonia old growth trees in California are known as the largest living trees on earth. Specimens are known with a DBH of nearly 9 m and ages of over 3000 years old. A widely planted tree since mid-Victorian times and often, today, the tallest tree in a locality. Frequently planted as an avenue. Surprisingly few plantations have been established despite showing vigorous growth in several plots on a range of sites. The Royal Forestry Society’s redwood grove on the Leighton Estate, Powys, plainly demonstrates its considerable potential as a timber species. Wellingtonia is listed as endangered by the IUCN. Wellingtonia 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.

Red oak (ROK)

A fast-growing, non-native broadleaved tree that produces timber with good wood properties and has attractive autumnal colour.  There are currently 852 ha of the species in Britain, and it could find an increased role on drier soils in the south and east of the country as a result of climate warming. One of a number of red oak species a number of which have shown positive traits as specimens or in limited plot trials and warrant further research. Red oak is categorised as a secondary tree species. These are tree 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.

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.