A future with broadleaved trees A strategy for the Improvement of broadleaved trees in Britain and Ireland 2013-2025 Supported by Thanks and acknowledgements Many people and organisations from across the Alba Trees National Botanic Gardens Dublin forestry and ecological sectors have been involved Abbey Forestry National Forest Company in the formation of this document. Agri-Foods Biotechnology Institute National Trust Association of Wildlife Trusts Natural England It builds on and supports Biodiversity Action Plans Bangor University Natural Resources Wales and national policies for forestry and forest science Castle Howard Estate Nonesohardy Nurseries and highlights areas where we believe further Country Land and Business Association Oakover Nursery consideration is required. Coed Cymru Plantlife Future Trees Trust, Earth Trust and Forest Cheviot Trees Pro Silva Research wish to thank all those that have COILLTE Pryor & Rickett Silviculture contributed to this and all the discussions and CONFOR Royal Forestry Society workshops that lead to its production: Continuous Cover Forestry Group Scottish Natural Heritage CRANN SelectFor © Forestry Commission Crowders Small Woods Association Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine Society of Irish Foresters Department of Agriculture and Rural Sylva Foundation Development, Northern Ireland Timber Trades Federation Duchy of Cornwall Teagasc English Heritage The Tree Council Flora Locale Tree Council of Ireland Forestart University of Aberdeen Forestry Commission University College Dublin, Forestry Department Forestry Service of Northern Ireland University of Exeter Grown in Britain University of St Andrews Horticultural Trades Association University of Edinburgh Institute of Chartered Foresters UPM Tilhill Irish Timber Growers’ Association Wee Tree Nursery Maelor Forest Nurseries Wood for Good Manchester Metropolitan University Woodland Trust Mid-Western Forestry Services Woodlands of Ireland We are most grateful to the Patsy Wood Trust and Forest Research for their generous support of this project. 2 A FUTURE WITH BROADLEAVED TREES Foreword Woodlands and broadleaved trees were once future health, a means of storing vast quantities agendas and strengthen rural economies, while integral to the landscapes of Britain and Ireland of carbon as well as supporting countless species delivering many other tangible benefits. and a natural and rich resource on which our of woodland flora and fauna. culture, economy, health and biodiversity We thank all those who have taken part in the depended. Over the last two hundred years, As new tree pests arrive in our shores there is an development of this strategy and offer it as the the extent of broadleaved woodland and increased public awareness in the importance of best way to ensure that broadleaved trees are part the hardwood timber it produces has fallen our native trees. Public money has been invested of our rural and urban landscapes for generations dramatically. Today, we import 95% of all the in new action plans and research to combat these to come. hardwood timber we use. potentially damaging problems. The subject of woodlands and how to ensure their future is highly The reasons for this decline are many and varied relevant. Most recently, the Grown in Britain including over-extraction of the best trees, campaign shows that there is a growing demand under-management of the remaining woodlands, and enthusiasm for ensuring we do all we can to Geraint Richards and Graham Taylor the wide availability of foreign imports, a focus become self-sufficient in timber and to restore our Co-chairmen, Future Trees Trust on more rapidly growing conifer species and woodland culture, which we heartily applaud. Head Forester, Duchy of Cornwall pressure for land to grow food. Director, Pryor & Rickett Silviculture We believe that tree improvement is fundamental Yet people value trees and woodlands. More to ensuring the future of our broadleaved people are now engaging in conversations about woodlands. Through tree improvement, the woodlands, many of whom had not done so woodlands of Britain and Ireland can support previously. Broadleaved trees obviously have a our economic growth, contribute more to society very special place in our national psyche, as they and, with selective breeding and long-term are an important part of our countryside and management, be more resilient to changes in our Dr. Jayne Manley urban landscapes. Close your eyes and think of climate and new pests and diseases. CEO, Earth Trust the countryside and a broadleaved tree will be part of that image. An ideal view from an office Just as the breeding of many animals and crops window will include a broadleaved tree and if harnesses natural population diversity to enhance you take a stroll in the park, where do people desirable traits, the same can be done with trees. shelter on rainy or hot days? But it takes a lot longer to achieve results and we need to act now if we want future tree populations Dr. Steve Lee But broadleaved trees are very much more than to be productive, healthy and adaptable. Programme Group Manager for Genetic just beautiful things. They are the source material Improvement Forest Research on which entire industries depend, a living for Producing more of our own hardwood timber can only help deliver our nations’ growth many, ecosystems that will be fundamental to our OCTOBER 2013 A FUTURE WITH BROADLEAVED TREES 1 Context But it doesn’t have to be this way. known, balsa, is technically a hardwood, while one • Britain and Ireland of the hardest, yew, is a softwood. currently import around 95% In Britain and Ireland we have the climate, land, skills, experience and resources to grow many more Improvement programmes currently exist for of the hardwood timber used of our own disease-resistant, healthy, productive seven species of broadleaved trees – ash, birch, timber trees. Because we don’t grow enough of our cherry, oak, sweet chestnut, sycamore and walnut. • Ash die-back and acute own hardwood timber, we compromise our ability Although significant progress has been made with to realise the multiple potential benefits from our some species, there is much still to do. oak decline are typical of the woodlands such as carbon sequestration, habitats for woodland species, rural employment and This strategy sets out the case for the wider use of diseases threatening our native amenity opportunities. improved broadleaved trees and identifies objectives and targets that will ensure the woodlands of the tree species, which may kill The adage “the wood that pays is the wood future can be planted with improved broadleaved millions of trees that stays” has been true for generations. Trees trees. As a result, future populations will be can be selectively bred to produce higher timber productive, healthy, resilient and adaptable. • A warming climate yields, making them more economically viable and therefore more attractive to anyone planting will threaten our woodlands, trees for timber. More trees planted, for whatever Case studies for using reasons, mean more benefits to our economy, improved material changing growing seasons environment and community. and the number of new pests The Forestry Commission in Britain was Experts agree that the most sustainable long-term established in 1919 to create a strategic timber and diseases to which our strategy to safeguard our broadleaved trees in the reserve. Their tree improvement programme future is to use the high genetic diversity within produced increases in growth yield of 25% for broadleaved trees are susceptible tree species to develop more resilient populations. Sitka spruce. The programme was so successful Ensuring a broad genetic base in all our trees and that now only improved Sitka is planted. • A large proportion of our seed for future generations is more likely to provide Similarly in Ireland, improved Sitka spruce forest seedlings are imported resilience to whatever the future throws at our trees, is being used in the national afforestation such as novel diseases like ash die-back. programme. Improved conifers have become from overseas This strategy is concerned only with broadleaved the accepted industry standard. trees (also known as “hardwoods”), not with Building on the success of conifer improvement conifers or “softwoods”. Paradoxically, the programmes, the time is right to focus attention timber produced by hardwoods is not necessarily and available resources on broadleaved trees. particularly hard. In fact one of the softest woods 2 A FUTURE WITH BROADLEAVED TREES Why do we need to do this? Why now? Growing more improved broadleaved trees in appropriate If we don’t act soon, broadleaved trees and woodlands will have less chance of surviving the locations and managing those trees as part of mixed woodlands, threats we know our woodlands face now and in will bring tangible social, economic and environmental benefits. the future. The number of pests and diseases that can threaten our broadleaved woodlands is likely to increase as a Social and economic benefits Environmental benefits consequence of increased global trade and a current Using improved broadleaved trees can: Using improved broadleaved trees means: widespread use of imported saplings. A potentially warming climate may also favour the establishment • Increase financial returns, as improved trees • Future tree populations are more likely to of new pests and diseases, as well as increase the will yield more usable timber have higher establishment rates than unimproved