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Understanding the trees to manage the woods…

Relating research to practitioners and professional management is not always easy. In volume 34(4) of the Arboricultural Journal we have a collection of significant papers which spans the broad spectrum of arboriculture. For example, Duncan Slater and colleagues address fundamental issues of tree form and growth in a particular cultivar. Their research considers how this affects potential tree failure, thus relating tree biology theory to practical management. From their evidence, they observed tree failures at branch junctions, and they find that part of the explanation for failure of Platanus x acerifolia is their tendency to develop more “V-shaped” junctions. These in turn lead to greater stress concentrations on the inside of the fork as in windy conditions branches from the bifurcation sway apart. The authors present a straightforward recommendation from the research such that in selecting and planting London Plane stock arboriculturists and landscapers should assess branch junction and fork shape to minimise or avoid this problem. Sjöman and co-authors also address urban street trees. However, in this case, they are looking for potential new species for urban street planting; something of interest as climate change encourages a diversification of urban tree stock. The authors note that only a limited number of species and genera currently dominate the tree stock in European streets and urban sites. In recognition of the arguments for using more varied and stress-tolerant selections of tree species, they consider the suitability of Hungarian oak, Quercus frainetto. They examined a sample of trees in a forest-steppe reserve in north-eastern Romania, to assess from dendro-ecological studies, its potential as an urban tree in northern Central Europe and adjacent, milder parts of Northern Europe. Their results suggest that this species has potential in urban paved sites and as it is little used at present, this could increase species diversity of urban tree population in urban paved sites. The irregular occurrence of good seed years in forest trees is known in many parts of the world, and has been studied for example, for beeches, oaks, and limes (e.g. Pigott, 1991). Harking back to Packham, Thomas, Lageard, and Hilton (2008) paper in the Arboricultural Journal, Péter Szabó considers in detail, the seeding, or “masting” behaviour of beech (Fagus sylvatica). The approach of both field observations and meticulous historical and archival research, contrasts with the earlier mentioned papers. However, as Szabó (2012) explains, the seeding behaviour of trees is of interest and significance to foresters and to arboricultural managers. Such information is also relevant to those concerned with tree history and management more widely. Finally, we have a paper co-authored by my colleague, Professor Melvyn Jones and me, which brings us back full circle to urban trees and urban woods (Jones & Rotherham, 2012). This reports on nearly three decades of site survey and observation and like Szabó’s work, the research includes meticulous archival and historical analysis. The paper is in part based on site ecological survey and in part on action research with woodland and tree