The UK is experiencing an increased wildfire risk due to climate change, exemplified by record heatwaves and dry conditions. Noteworthy incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of heathland-woodland ecotones. Proactive fire risk management for land managers has become essential, with recommendations focused on forest design, community partnerships, and clear emergency protocols.Continue Reading
I recently had the great pleasure to be invited as a guest speaker and guide for a special day exploring noble hardwoods, hosted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) at Alnarp.Continue Reading
Today, 15th July, is St Swithin’s Day, the best time of the year to prune walnut trees. The saint’s day is a handy way to remember when to brush the cobwebs of your pruning saw and get out to your trees.Continue Reading
Now is the best time of year to prune walnut trees. Enjoy a short video of me at work, high-pruning some young black walnut.Continue Reading
Silvology: redefining the biological science for the study of forests With co-author Jens Peter Skovsgaard I propose a formal definition for a term that describes the scientific study of forests and woods: silvology. In contrast to other disciplines no terminology has developed to distinguish the practice of silviculture fromContinue Reading
Devolution, pests & pathogens, Brexit, emerging markets, climate change, societal attitudes . . . these are just some of the momentous factors influencing our trees and woodlands, those who care for them, and those who rely on their products and services. Have your say about what these and other issuesContinue Reading
Biosecurity in woodlands is big news at last but clear guidance is hard to find. Here’s a simple guide.Continue Reading
I was lucky enough this week to be given the freedom to explore a unique and wonderful woodland at the UK Prime Minister’s country residence at Chequers: a box woodland. I was there with co-author Sarah Simblet as part of our research for our book: The New Sylva. You canContinue Reading
Two iphone apps reviewed – one that can estimate tree height and one for foresters that can be used as a relascope to estimate stand basal area. Get into a forest with your iPhone and give …Continue Reading
How to use the simple yet powerful wedge prism relascope to measure the basal area of a forest stand. The relascope is a forester’s tool used for forest mensuration, or tree and forest stand measurements …Continue Reading
Do you have an ambition to own a woodland? Today there is unprecedented interest in owning woodlands, perhaps due to the high profile of forests in the media in the last year. Maybe you’ve had a life long ambition to invest in land or to be a custodian of ourContinue Reading
This week I had the pleasure of visiting Kent – “England’s garden” – famous for its apple, cherry and cobnut growing. It is also the centre of Britain’s sweet chestnut coppice industry. Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) was introduced to Britain by the Romans some 2000 years ago. Its attraction wasContinue Reading
I wrote this post more than five years ago, and its been one of my most popular ever since. Naturally more excellent trees books have been published in the intervening years and the list is worth updating. I’ve since written my own books so it would remiss of me not toContinue Reading
I have often been asked what tools I use for tree pruning; here’s my top personal choice of tools. Always …Continue Reading
The ability of a tree to heal itself quickly following pruning is important as it reduces the risk of infection, reduces the impact on tree growth, and improves the quality of its timber. I’ve written previously about how to prune a tree and if you follow these guidelines correctly, theContinue Reading
