Future Trees Trust has received further funding from the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF) to continue its research into improving the early establishment of broadleaved trees in England.
The project, Supersizing Broadleaves 2, builds on trials established in 2023 and focuses on the critical first three years after planting, when survival and growth are most vulnerable. The aim is to identify practical, species-specific approaches that support successful establishment and long-term performance.
This phase of the research will add two new areas of investigation:
Root architecture assessments to understand how nursery stock type influences below-ground development
Mycorrhizal associations, exploring whether bare root trees (grown in field soil) support more beneficial fungi than cell-grown trees (raised in sterile media)
“This funding allows us to deepen our understanding of how to grow resilient, high-performing broadleaves in the UK. By exploring the interactions between seed source, nursery stock, and establishment methods, we hope to provide practical insights that will benefit forestry practitioners and nurseries alike.”
— Dr Jo Clark, Head of Research, Future Trees Trust
The project is delivered in partnership with Forest Research, Silviculture Research International, and the University of Cumbria, with support from Forestry England and Babworth Estate. As part of the work, trees will be excavated two years after planting to examine root architecture in detail. Forest Research will analyse root tips from birch and oak to study mycorrhizal associations, providing new insights into how these relationships influence establishment success.
Updates and findings will be shared on our Projects page, including results from field trials and new data on root and fungal development.
Supersizing Broadleaves field research and activities:
