Silvicultural Research
The selection of the best site for a species, the spacing between the trees, and the control of weed growth around the young trees are just some of the important factors affecting tree growth. Much work has been done on the silviculture of broadleaves but many techniques remain untested particularly with some species.
Is it realistic to imagine a time when a forest of improved trees can be planted and ignored for 50 years in the expectation that good breeding stock will produce fine timber with no silvicultural care? The short answer is no! It may be possible to breed a tree without forks due to genetic selection but the environment will always play a role. For example there is nothing to stop a bird perching on a trees tip and snapping off the valuable leading shoot thereby creating a forked stem. There will always be a need for good silviculture. The greatest advances in broadleaved forestry will be made by combining tree breeding with improved silvicultural techniques.
Visit the species pages to learn more about some of our silvicultural research.
