Rachael’s role is to support research into the tree growth and wood properties of commercially important timber species, primarily through the testing of trees and subsequent preparation and testing of wood samples for the Tree & Wood Properties programme. This involves operating wood working machinery, a mobile sawmill, and a variety of specialist testing equipment. Rachael aims to continually develop and improve the efficiency of wood sample handling, preparation and testing.

Currently her main duties are within the Sitka Spruced project, where the information she collects on tree growth and mechanical properties will be used to inform the forestry sector on the possibility of reducing rotation lengths in Sitka spruce. Ultimately these data will be used to develop predictive genomic models to help inform tree breeding.