Achieving diversity in Scotland’s forest landscapes

Diversity in forests is essential to conserve biodiversity and expand habitats, and to contribute towards enhancing landscape quality and recreation opportunities. In addition, introducing species and age diversity throughout a forest can increase their resilience to pests, diseases and fire, and extend economic opportunities. This Practice Guide offers advice and ideas from which a forest manager […]

Conserving and managing trees and woodlands in Scotland’s designed landscapes

Since Medieval times, designed landscapes have evolved and at times changed dramatically in style and character. Throughout all periods and recognised styles however, trees have been an essential feature. In the 20th century social and economic changes proved challenging times for land management, with a combination of estate fragmentation, decline and changed land-use policies, specifically […]

Managing ancient and native woodland in England

Managing ancient and native woodland in England has been produced by Forestry Commission England as an aid to forestry and woodland managers working with ancient and native woodland. It brings together current good management practice to ensure these important woodlands are sustained for the future. Our ancient and native woodlands are one of our oldest […]

Identifying the historic environment in Scotland’s forests and woodlands

Identifying the historic environment in Scotland’s forests and woodlands has been prepared by Forestry Commission Scotland and Archaeology Scotland as an aid to forestry and woodland managers when considering the historic environment in their stewardship. The principal purpose of this practice guide is to provide an accessible introduction to exploring ‘archaeology in the field’. Archaeological and […]

Raising trees and shrubs from seed

This Practice Guide introduces the principles and practical methods for collecting, storing and propagating from seed a wide range of woody species commonly grown in the British Isles. It is aimed partly at anyone interested in raising a relatively small number of plants, and partly at commercial growers – as a useful reference but without […]

Managing and controlling invasive rhododendron

Invasive rhododendron presents a unique problem to the managers of any habitats it colonises. If left untreated, this aggressive weed can rapidly occupy the entire understorey of a range of woodland types, open spaces within woodlands and heathland habitats. This Practice Guide provides guidance on managing and controlling rhododendron in invaded habitats, including information on […]

Creating new broadleaved woodland by direct seeding

This Practice Guide contains detailed recommendations for the establishment of new broadleaved woodlands by direct seeding, a silvicultural system whereby tree seed is sown by hand or machine into a prepared seedbed at a site intended for woodland creation.

Reducing pesticide use in forestry

UK Government and European policy is to minimise pesticide use as far as possible. Covering pest, disease, vegetation and wildlife management, and based upon the latest research, Reducing Pesticide Use in Forestry can help forestry practitioners to assess the impact of any problem and select a non-chemical solution. Two simple flowcharts summarise the decision process […]

The management of semi-natural woodlands: 8. wet woodlands

This Practice Guide is one of a set of eight, which provide comprehensive advice on the management of ancient semi-natural woodland in Britain. While these guides are aimed primarily at ancient semi-natural woodland, much of the advice will also be appropriate for other semi-natural woods which are of high conservation value, and for long-established planted […]

The management of semi-natural woodlands: 7. native pinewoods

This Practice Guide is one of a set of eight, which provide comprehensive advice on the management of ancient semi-natural woodland in Britain. While these guides are aimed primarily at ancient semi-natural woodland, much of the advice will also be appropriate for other semi-natural woods which are of high conservation value, and for long-established planted […]

The management of semi-natural woodlands: 6. upland birchwoods

This Practice Guide is one of a set of eight, which provide comprehensive advice on the management of ancient semi-natural woodland in Britain. Much of the advice will also be appropriate for other semi-natural woods which are of high conservation value, and for long-established planted woods which have developed some of the characteristics of ancient […]

The management of semi-natural woodlands: 5. upland oakwoods

This Practice Guide is one of a set of eight, which provide comprehensive advice on the management of ancient semi-natural woodland in Britain. Much of the advice will also be appropriate for other semi-natural woods which are of high conservation value, and for long-established planted woods which have developed some of the characteristics of ancient […]