This year marked the conclusion of our Supersizing Broadleaves project, a three-year initiative supported by the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production and Innovation Fund (TPIF). The project set out to answer a bold question:
What happens when you take the best seed available, raise it in the best way for that species, and establish it in the best way possible for a particular site?
To explore this, we planted three full factorial trials with 48 different treatments, using improved seed from tree improvement programmes for silver birch, pedunculate oak, and sycamore. These were compared to typical source-identified planting stock, raised using two common nursery practices—bare root and cell grown—and planted with varying establishment protocols, including weed control, fertiliser, both, or no treatment as a control
In May 2024, two of the trials on restock sites were unexpectedly attacked by three species of weevils—pests more commonly associated with conifers. A rapid spring assessment and winter monitoring revealed fascinating early results:
Despite the pest setback, the trials remain robust and large enough to yield meaningful insights. With only one year of data so far, results are still provisional, but promising. We’re hopeful that with the TPIF launching again in 2025, we can secure follow-on funding to continue monitoring these trials and build a deeper understanding of how to optimise broadleaf establishment.
🌱 This is just one of many innovative projects we’ve been working on.
Read more in the full Future Trees Trust Annual Report
