The drought continues to affect UK forests, with some tree species particularly vulnerable. Planting drought-resistant tree species, both native and introduced, can enhance resilience in forestry. Key species include Wild Service Tree and Small-leaved Lime, which exhibit exceptional drought tolerance and timber potential.Continue Reading
In 2017, I took a photograph of a beautiful ash tree, which I titled ‘I Love Ash.’ I returned two years later and was saddened by its demise due to ash dieback.Continue Reading
Oak Processionary Moth or OPM has been discovered in Hampshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The Plant Health Service have announced an urgent review of import controls on large oak trees. Continue Reading
Despite what many people believe, there remain hundreds of mature elm trees across Britain. If you find one and would like to report it to researchers and conservationists, or are looking to see some yourself, check out this great online resource about healthy elms.Continue Reading
As the spread of ash dieback across Britain becomes noticeable, there is a peak in interest about the consequences of ash dieback, with landowners and conservationists seeking good advice about what tree species is best to plant to help nature recover. Here’s a simply summary for landowners, based of peer-reviewed research.Continue Reading
Today, the media picked up on the importance of the scientific paper which I revealed yesterday, which calculates the economic cost of ash dieback in Britain to total £15 billion.Continue Reading
A research paper published today estimates that the cost of ash dieback in Britain will reach £15 billion. I was privileged to have supported lead author Louise Hill as an external supervisor, and to be a co-author of the paper. Continue Reading
One of my more recent co-authored research articles has been selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ in The Applied Ecologist’s Blog . The paper, Maintaining ecosystem properties after loss of ash in Great Britain by Louise Hill et al, focusses on the importance of using plant functional traits to predict potential changes to an ecosystem, following the loss of a key species.Continue Reading
This week a National Tree Improvement Strategy for Britain and Ireland has been launched by the Future Trees Trust.Continue Reading
Over the last few months I’ve been working with colleagues from across the forestry sector on a major report presenting data from a survey about awareness, activities and aspirations to environmental change among woodland owners and managers, and forestry professionals. The report demonstrates that private forestry holds the balance of powerContinue Reading
Biosecurity in woodlands is big news at last but clear guidance is hard to find. Here’s a simple guide.Continue Reading
There has been too much knee-jerk reactionary panic to the arrival of ash dieback Chalara fraxinea to Britain’s shores. Here is my proposed ten-point plan, in which some actions may surpise some.Continue Reading
Every now and then in life you gain sudden clarity of vision about an issue; perhaps triggered by listening to someone erudite, reading something written with super clarity, or seeing it with your own eyes. In my case it is the latter and I’m worried – super worried in fact. I am not prone to exaggeration.Continue Reading
I am taking part in the 2012 Ride for Research event at Reading in September to raise money to support tree research. I would be very grateful for any donations – please visit my personal fundraising page. Fundraising is being undertaken through Virgin Money Giving and collected on behalf ofContinue Reading
The authors of The New Sylva recently travelled to East Sussex on the hunt to find some of England’s last remaining mature elm trees.Continue Reading
