Forest Condition Survey

 

Since 1987 the Forestry Commission has monitored annual changes in the condition of Britain’s forest trees by assessing the status of five forest species via a network of monitoring plots distributed throughout the country.

In 2005, for example, a total of 8460 trees were assessed by trained staff from Technical Services Unit (TSU), covering Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce, Scots Pine, oak spp, and Beech.

Plots consist of 24 trees, located in four sub-plots of 6 trees.

Trees are scored for various features, such as the incidence of flowering and fruiting, or the incidence of damage by insects or fungi, but the feature of greatest interest is an assessment of crown density. This is an estimate of the degree of transparency of the crown, which is used to provide an index of tree condition.

For further information about this project contact:

Dr. Janet Dutch
Technical Services Unit
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
Roslin
Midlothian
EH25 9SY

Tel: 0131 445 2176
Fax: 0131 445 5124
E-mail: janet.dutch@forestry.gsi.gov.uk