Staff
Victoria Stokes
BSc, MSc, PhD, FICFor
BSc, MSc, PhD, FICFor
Silviculturist in the Forest Management Research Group
Victoria leads and manages silvicultural research in Upland Forestry. She carries out research on alternative management systems, emerging species, silviculture of broadleaved species, and alternative establishment techniques.
She also manages Forest Research’s Long-term Experiments project, a network of around 320 experiments covering topics including mixtures, species, provenance, nutrition, ground preparation, stability and exposure, timber quality, spacing, thinning, native woodlands and natural regeneration. The project aims to conserve the best field experiments as a strategic resource that can be re-examined to address current and future questions about sustainable forest management.
Victoria is a member of both the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the British Ecological Society.
Dr Victoria Stokes joined Forest Research in 2002, after completing a PhD at the University of Essex which involved research into the carbon and water balance of mature oak and sycamore tree canopies. She initially worked as an environmental physiologist on short rotation forestry, and now carries out research on many aspects of upland silviculture.
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters
Member of the Continuous Cover Forestry Group
Member of the Association of Applied Biologists
Member of the British Ecological Society
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
Roslin
Midlothian
EH25 9SY
UK
The Long-term Experiments project conserves the best field experiments as a strategic resource that can be accessed by researchers to address questions about sustainable forest management.
The use of natural regeneration to create a varied forest structure containing a range of species
An analysis of relevant species trials was carried out to assess the productivity of potential alternative conifer species to Sitka spruce on upland site types in Britain. Data from 87 forest experiments planted between 1929 and 1995 were analysed to compare long-term performance of 52 species with that of Sitka spruce under the same conditions and site type.
Understanding how we can increase the resilience of forest systems to future extreme drought events is increasingly important as these events become more frequent and intense. Diversifying production forests using intimate mixtures of trees with complementary functional traits is considered as one promising silvicultural approach that may increase drought resilience. However, the direction and magnitude […]
New guidance from Forest Research to help design mixtures at the establishment phase
Can direct seeding be used to enhance the restoration of native species to conifer plantations on ancient woodland sites?
Long-term research finds Pacific silver fir has great potential as a forestry species in Britain With our climate changing and an increasing range of pests and diseases affecting trees in Britain, it is important forest managers diversify the tree species they plant and use a wider range of forest management systems (e.g. continuous cover forestry). Pacific silver […]
Problems associated with Rhododendron ponticum. Rhododendron ponticum is a highly invasive species affecting woodland in the UK. It is also a host to two particularly significant diseases affecting our woodlands – Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae. To control their spread, the eradication of rhododendron, usually by cutting and removal, is an accepted management practice. The […]
Can continuous cover forestry management improve slope stability? By Victoria Stokes. Internal report to the Forestry Commission, 2011. Related pages Continuous cover silviculture Integrated establishment systems for the uplands Management of upland native woodlands Woodland and habitat management publications
Report to Forestry Commission Scotland summarising the role of Continuous Cover Forestry in future climate conditions. By Victoria Stokes and Gary Kerr. Related pages Continuous cover silviculture Integrated establishment systems for the uplands Management of upland native woodlands Woodland and habitat management publications
Leader of the Long-term Experiments project
Upland Silviculture
Continuous Cover Forestry
Management of broadleaved species
Mixed species stands
Emerging species, forest resilience and adaptation
Management of natural regeneration and underplanting
Mitchell, R.J., Bellamy, P.E., Broome, A., Ellis, C.J., Hewison, R.L., Iason, G.R., Littlewood, N.A., Newey, S., Pozsgai, G., Ray, D., Stockan, J.A., Stokes, V. and Taylor, A.F.S. (2022) Cumulative impact assessments of multiple host species loss from plant diseases show disproportionate reductions in associated biodiversity. Journal of Ecology, 110(1): 221-231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13798
Haufe, J, Kerr, G, and Stokes, V. Forest Development Types: an essential tool for diversifying stands in Britain. Quarterly Journal of Forestry. July 2021, Vol 115, No. 3, 175-182.
Poeydebat, C., Jactel, H., Moreira, X., Koricheva, J., Barsoum, N., Bauhus, J., Eisenhauer, N., Ferlian, O., Francisco, M., Gottschall, F., Gravel, D., Mason, B., Muiruri, E., Muys, B., Nock, C., Paquette, A., Ponette, Q., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Stokes, V., Staab, M., Verheyen, K., Castagneyrol, B. (2021) Climate affects neighbour-induced changes in leaf chemical defences and tree diversity-herbivory relationships. Functional Ecology, 35(1):67-81.
Mason, W.L., Stokes, V.J. and Forster, J. (2020) Proportions of a pine nurse influences overyielding in planted spruce forests of Atlantic Europe. Forest Ecology and Management, 482:118836, DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118836
Willoughby, I.H., Stokes, V.J., Forster, J. and Harmer, R. (2020) Can direct seeding be used to enhance the restoration of native species to conifer plantations on ancient woodland sites? Scottish Forestry, 74(3); 20-28.
Stokes, V. and Mason, B. (2020) Management options for mixed-species natural regeneration: results from an experiment in the North York Moors. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, Vol 114 (4), 268-273.
Kerr, G., Haufe, J., Stokes, V. and Mason, B. (2020) Establishing robust species mixtures. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 114(3): 164-170.
Stokes, V., Kerr, G. and Connolly, T. (2020) Underplanting is a practical silvicultural method for regenerating and diversifying conifer stands in Britain. Forestry, 97:219-231.
Harvey, T. and Stokes, V. (2020) Using sheep’s wool to reduce browsing damage on underplanted European silver fir seedlings. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, Vol 114 (1), 27-32.
Savill, P., Stokes, V., Jinks, R., Mason, W.L. and Wilson, S.McG. (2018) Hybrid poplars and aspens. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 112, 237-248.
Willoughby, I.H., Forster, J., Stokes, V.J. (2018) Gaultheria shallon can be controlled by the herbicides picloram, triclopyr or glyphosate if they are applied at the correct time of year. New Forests, 49 (6), 757-774.
Stokes, V., Lee, S., Forster, J. and Fletcher, A. (2018) A comparison of Sitka spruce x white spruce hybrid families as an alternative to pure Sitka spruce plantations in upland Britain. Forestry, 91 (5): 650-661.
Willoughby, I.H., Stokes, V.J. and Edwards, C. (2017) Ecoplugs containing glyphosate can be effective in preventing regrowth from Rhododendron ponticum stumps. Scottish Forestry, 71(3): 32-39.
Savill, P., Wilson, S., Mason, W., Jinks, R., Stokes, V. (2017) Alternative spruces to Sitka and Norway Part 1 – Serbian spruce (Picea omorika). Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 111, 32-39.
Savill, P., Wilson, S, Mason, W, Jinks, R, Stokes, V, Christian, T (2017) Alternative spruces to Sitka and Norway Part 2 – Oriental or Caucasian spruce (Picea orientalis) and the American and Asian species. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 111, 88-97.
Ian H. Willoughby, Victoria J. Stokes and Tom Connolly (2017) Using Ecoplugs containing glyphosate can be an effective method of killing standing trees. Forestry, 90, 719-727.
Harmer, R., Kerr, G., Stokes, V. and Connolly, T. (2017) The influence of thinning intensity and bramble control on ground flora development in a mixed broadleaved woodland. Forestry, 90: 247-257.
Kerr, G., Snellgrove, M., Hale, S., Stokes, V. 2017. The Bradford-Hutt system for transforming young even-aged stands to continuous cover management. Forestry, 90: 581-593.
Kerr, G., Stokes, V., Peace, A., Fletcher, A., Samuel, S., Mackintosh, H. and Mason, W.L. (2016) No seed zone effects on the survival, growth, and stem form of Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) in Britain. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 46:427-436
Ian H. Willoughby, Marion K. Seier, Victoria J. Stokes, Sarah E. Thomas and Sonal Varia (2015) Synthetic herbicides were more effective than a bioherbicide based on Chondrostereum purpureum in reducing resprouting of Rhododendron ponticum, a host of Phytophthora ramorum in the UK. Forestry 88 (3): 336-344.
Kerr, G., Stokes, V., Peace, A. and Jinks, J. (2015) Effects of provenance on survival, growth and stem form of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Britain. European Journal of Forest Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10342-014-0856-9.
Willoughby, I.H. and Stokes, V.J. (2014) Mixture B new formulation adjuvant increases the rainfastness and hence effectiveness of glyphosate for rhododendron control. Forestry 88 (2), 1-8, 172-179.
Stokes, V.J. and Willoughby, I.H. (2014) Early weed control can increase long-term growth, yield and carbon sequestration of Sitka spruce stands in Britain. Forestry, 87(3): 425-435. DOI: 10.1093/forestry/cpu001
Stokes, V. (2013) Cone production of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in stands undergoing transformation to continuous cover forestry. Quarterly Journal of Forestry. 107 (2): 101-111.
Stokes, V. and Kerr, G. (2013). Long-term growth and yield effects of respacing natural regeneration of Sitka spruce in Britain. European Journal of Forest Research, 132 (2), 351-362. (DOI) 10.1007/s10342-012-0679-5.
Stokes, V. (2012). Some biodegradable mulch materials provide effective weed control during establishment of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on farm woodland sites. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 106 (4): 257-268.
Kerr, G., Stokes, V., Peace, A. and Wylder, B. (2011). Natural regeneration of conifers: helping forest managers to predict success. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 106 (1), 23-30.
Stokes, V.J., Willoughby, I. 2011. The impact of bracken control on establishment of Corsican pine (Pinus nigra sub sp. laricio (Maire)) and pine weevil (Hylobius abietis (L.)) damage. In: Vegetation 2011, management [held at] Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, 27-28 April 2011, T Sparks, C Britt, A Cherrill, R Marrs, S Mortimer, R Pywell, I Rotherham, V J Stokes and D Westbury, eds. Aspects of Applied Biology 108. Association of Applied Biologists, Wellesbourne, Warwick. 217-224.
Kerr, G., Stokes, V., Peace, A. and Wylder, B. (2011). Prediction of conifer natural regeneration in a ‘data-poor’ environment. Scottish Forestry, 65 (4), 28-36.
Stokes, V. and Willoughby, I. (2011). A comparison of cover crops, direct seeding and herbicides in the establishment of ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior (L.) in lowland Britain. Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 105 (1): 19-27.
Kerr, G., Morgan, G., Blyth, J. and Stokes, V.J. (2010). Transformation from even-aged plantations to an irregular forest: the world’s longest running trial area at Glentress, Scotland. Forestry 83 (3) 329-344.
Petrokofsky, G., Brown, N.D., Hemery, G.E., Woodward, S., Wilson, E., Weatherall, A., Stokes, V., Smithers, R.J., Sangster, M., Russell, K., Pullin, A.S., Price, C., Morecroft, M., Malins, M., Lawrence, A., Kirby, K.J., Godbold, D., Charman, E., Boshier, D., Bosbeer, S. and Arnold, J.E.M. (2010). A participatory process for identifying and prioritizing policy-relevant research questions in natural resource management: a case study from the UK forestry sector. Forestry 83 (4): 357-367.
Stokes, V., Morecroft, M. and Morison, J. (2010). Comparison of leaf water use efficiency of oak and sycamore in the canopy over two growing seasons. Trees, Structure and Function. 24 (2): 297-306. DOI: 10.1007/s00468-009-0399-8.
Reports
Stokes, V., Forster, J., Kerr, G. 2017. A comparison of Sitka x white spruce hybrids with QCI Sitka spruce. Internal Report to Forest Enterprise England, February 2017. 24pp.
Willoughby, I., Forster, J., Stokes, V. 2016. Gaultheria shallon can be effectively controlled by the herbicides picloram, triclopyr or glyphosate if they are applied at the correct time of year. Internal Report to Forest Enterprise England. May 2016, 38pp.
Stokes, V. 2015. Short Rotation Forestry Trials in Scotland: Progress report 2014. Internal report to Forestry Commission Scotland. 53 pp.
Willoughby, I., Stokes, V., Saunders, C., Tubby, K. 2015. The use of Ecoplugs for chemical thinning. Internal report to Forestry Commission. 37 pp.
Stokes, V. 2015. Summary report on three Forest Research experiments on hybrid spruce. Internal report to Forest Enterprise England. 11 pp.
Willoughby, I., Stokes, V. 2014. Cycloxydim may be a partial future alternative to propyzamide for the control of Molinia caerulea, Deschampsia flexuosa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Calamagrostis epigejos and Holcus lanatus. Internal report to Forest Enterprise Scotland, Forest Enterprise England and Natural Resources Wales. 31 pp.
Stokes, V. 2014. Short Rotation Forestry Trials in Scotland: Progress report 2012 and 2013. Internal report to Forestry Commission Scotland. 41 pp.
Stokes, V. 2011. Use of biodegradable mulch materials in the establishment of ash trees. Internal report to Forestry Commission. 10 pp.
Stokes, V. (2011). The impact of forests and forest management on slope stability (PDF-92K). Internal report to the Forestry Commission. 7 pp.
Contract and project reports
Webber, J., de Leij, F., Hutchings, T., Kalantarzadeh, M., Seier, M., Stokes, V. (Editor), Thomas, S., Varia, S., Wall, M., Willoughby, I., Lawrence, V., Albertini, A., Brunt, A., Ireland, D. 2013. Determining best methods for the clearance and disposal of key host plants, especially invasive Rhododendron, for the control of the quarantine plant pathogens Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae. Final Report for Defra Project CTX0907. 152 pp.
Webber, J., de Leij, F., Hutchings, T., Ireland, D., Kalantarzadeh, M., Seier, M., Stokes, V. (Editor), Thomas, S., Varia, S., Wall, M., Willoughby, I. 2013. Determining best methods for the clearance and disposal of key host plants, especially invasive Rhododendron, for the control of the quarantine plant pathogens Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae: Best Practice Guidance. Best Practice Guidance for Defra Project CTX0907. 12 pp.
Trade journal and newsletter articles
Stokes, V., Martin, S. 2016. Taking the long-view: using past research experiments to guide future forestry. Forestry and Timber News, February 2016 Issue, p12-13.
Stokes, V., Martin, P. 2015. Exploring the potential of short rotation forestry in Scotland. Forestry and Timber News, June 2015, pp 16-17.
Stokes, V., Kerr, G. 2010. The evidence supporting the use of CCF in adapting forests to the risks of climate change. Forestry and Timber News, December 2010, 14-17.
Stokes, V., Kerr, G. 2010. Undercover for climate change. Chartered Forester, Spring 2010, 14-15.