David Gil-Moreno wins prize

We are delighted that PhD student, David Gil-Moreno, has won a prize as coauthor of the article “The Redwoods and red cedar” published in the October Quarterly Journal of Forestry.  Western red cedar is one of four alternative conifers included in David’s research project – which is thanks to the financial support of the Scottish Forestry Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru (Natural Resources Wales).

The article, which concludes that western red cedar and coast redwood might find a “significantly increased” role in British forestry under predicted climate change, has won the Royal Forestry Society’s (RFS’s) prestigious James Cup.

The Redwoods and Red Cedar, was written by five leaders in forest science and research: – Chartered Forester and Chartered Surveyor Dr Scott McG Wilson;
– Forest Research Fellow, Dr Bill Mason;
– Project Leader in Forest Research’s Centre for Sustainable Forestry and Climate Change, Dr Richard Jinks;
– Edinburgh Napier University Wood Science and Technology PhD research student David Gil-Moreno
– and former Oxford University academic and author Dr Peter Savill.

It appeared in the October 2016 issue of the Quarterly Journal of Forestry and is part of an RFS Species Profile Project looking at tree species with potential for wider use in Britain to enhance forest resilience. It can be read in full at www.rfs.org.uk/learning/ by following the forestry knowledge hub/ species profile links.

The authors reviewed the latest research for coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata), covering origin and taxonomy, climate site and soil requirements, natural regeneration, seed production and nursery conditions, provenance issues, growth and productivity, pests and disease and timber properties and uses before considering each species’ potential in British forestry.

The judging panel was made up of RFS members. One judge described the articled as:

“Very relevant in the 21st century for alternative conifer species on a wide variety of sites. Not too technical, nice and easy to read.”

Another said: “Given the challenges foresters face today, there is a real need to be considering alternative tree species from outside the UK … The article is scientifically rigorous yet very readable, well illustrated and stays focused on the species’ suitability for use in the UK without being tempted to branch out into folklore.”

For western red cedar and coast redwood, the authors concluded: “The most likely scenarios for deployment will be in mixed oceanic stands, managed under continuous cover systems, also including Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, Abies firs and western hemlock. Pure stands and clearfell-restock silviculture may also remain relevant under some circumstances.”

However, they added: “There is limited evidence of the likely performance of giant redwoods within British forests.”

Well done to all the authors.

The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) is an educational charity and one of the oldest membership organisations for those actively involved in woodland management.