Eamonn Cooper, a dedicated researcher at Trinity College Dublin, has been working closely with Future Trees Trust to explore the genetic characteristics of oak trees. His research supports the Trust’s mission to secure the future of broadleaved woodlands through science-led tree improvement. Eamonn’s work is helping to bridge traditional silvicultural methods with genetic analysis, ensuring that our native oak populations remain resilient and diverse for generations to come.
“The process of oak tree improvement, like all hardwood improvement, is carried out over decades and is highly reliant on traditional silvicultural methods. For this project, my aim is to complement the traditional approach with genetic assessment of the selected trees and those within Future Trees Trust clonal archives. This will hopefully bring context to foresters and improve the long-term prospects of tree improvement across Great Britain and Ireland.”
Over the past year, Eamonn has visited native forests across the UK to better understand the role of hybridisation in native oak populations. This work has enabled him to assess the degree of hybridisation between the two oak species in the Trust’s clonal seed orchards—an essential step in guiding future selection strategies.
In addition, he has compared the genetic origin and diversity of trees in the Trust’s collection with those in native forests. This comparison is critical for understanding the adaptability and resilience of these trees in the face of environmental change. His findings may also highlight the need to introduce additional trees from underrepresented regions of the UK to enhance genetic diversity.
Looking ahead, Eamonn plans to complete this phase of his research by identifying mutations near genes potentially linked to improved traits and analysing leaf morphology across plus tree progeny families.
🌳 This is just one of many exciting updates from our work this year. To read more about our research, partnerships, and progress in tree improvement, download the full Future Trees Trust Annual Report from our website.
28 Mar
14 May
28 Oct
16 Apr