Publications

Wester-red-cedar-1
Western red cedar, Darnaway, Scotland. Photo: © 2015 E. R. Wilson.

To date, over 140 reports, articles and papers have been published. They appear here in date order. For further information about indvidual technical papers and associated research metrics, please follow the link to ResearchGate or Google Scholar [both links open in new tabs]

Publications 

2024

Research in Focus

Increasing resistance and resilience of forests, a case study of Great Britain

Andrew Leslie, Edward Wilson and Andrew Park
iForest 17: 69-79 (2024)

Plantation in transformation, Coombs Wood, Cumbria, England. Photo: © 2020 E. R. Wilson.

SUMMARY: The forests of Great Britain (GB) are an important resource, which are under threat from climate change and exotic pests and diseases. The forest sector has been proactive in launching initiatives and supporting activities to improve the resistance and resilience of forests in GB. These interventions can be directed at forests at a range of scales, from genetic to national. This article describes the range of potential and actual actions focused on adapting Britain’s forests to climate change and damage from pests and diseases. However, there are also barriers to improving the resilience of forests in GB and these are also discussed.

2023

2022

Research in Focus

Transformation of Sitka spruce plantations to continuous cover forestry
at Dunranhill Forest, County Wicklow, Ireland

E. R. Wilson, R. Wirz and L. Byrne
Scottish Forestry 75(4):32-39 (2021) 

Highly Commended, Scottish Forestry Journal Awards 2021

Dunranhill Forest, County Wicklow, Ireland. Photo: © 2020 E. R. Wilson.
Dunranhill Forest, County Wicklow, Ireland. Photo: © 2020 E. R. Wilson.

SUMMARY: Dunranhill Forest, in County Wicklow, is currently being managed on continuous cover forestry (CCF) principles. It is one of the most advanced examples of a Sitka spruce plantation under transformation to CCF in Ireland. Our 2021 paper presents a case study of past and current management, and outlines future developments for this pioneering woodland.

2021

2020

Research in Focus

Douglas fir needle midge (Contarinia pseudotsugae)

SUMMARY: The Douglas fir needle midge (Contarinia pseudotsugae) is now established in Belgium, Netherlands, France and Germany. It is a potential threat to Douglas fir woodlands in the UK and Ireland. Our recent paper highlights this emerging tree health issue. A summary presentation is here.

The video (below) shows Contarinia pseudotsugae females laying their eggs in an emerging shoot of Douglas fir. After hatching, the larvae cause the formation of galls on the Douglas fir needles, effectively leading to a degree of defoliation. This can be mild or severe depending on the severity of infestation. The genus Contarinia is characterized by the long ovipositor of the females clearly visible on these images. In the last sequence, you can see an egg passing through this ovipositor. Video credit: Gilles San Martin.

Douglas fir gall midge laying eggs
Contarinia pseudotsugae females laying their eggs in an emerging shoot of Douglas fir. Credit: Gilles San Martin.

2019

2018

2017

2016

  • Davies, O., T. Thompson, L. Starling, T. Wilson and C. Starr. 2016. RFS Excellence in Forestry – North of England 2016. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 110 (3): 231-238.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2016. Resilient woodlands: meeting the challenges. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 110 (1): 13-17.
  • Fowkes, S., and T. Wilson. 2016. The difference between arboriculture and forestry. Pro Arb Magazine 3(9): 22-24.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2016. Being wise about woods. Charter for Trees, Woods and People. 13 September 2016. Tree Charter (URL: www.treecharter.uk) 
  • Wilson, E. R. 2016. Higher Education Courses in Forestry, Arboriculture and Urban Forestry in the United Kingdom (Entry 2016-2017). Guidance Note, Royal Forestry Society . 2 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2016. So You Want To Work In Forestry. [Online article.] URL: www.ocreleaf.ca/2016/09/so-you-want-to-work-in-forestry [edited for publication in Canada, based on article appearing in Forestry Journal (2015)]

2015

  • Wilson, E. R. and P. R. Morgan. 2015. Continuous Cover Forestry: an alternative model for the sustainable management of woodlands and watersheds in Britain. FISH 118: 20-27.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2015. Tick bites and Lyme disease: guide for forest users. Version 4.0 (October 2015). Royal Forestry Society, Banbury, Oxon. 2 pp. [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Morgan, P. R., and E. R. Wilson. 2015. Pro Silva Forestry: a model for sustainable adaptive forest management. Pro Silva Bohemica, 20th Anniversary Conference, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic, 23 April 2015. 5 pp. [English and Czech]
  • Wilson, E. R., and P. R. Morgan. 2015. Continuous Cover Forestry: an alternative model for the sustainable management of woodlands and watersheds in Britain. Conference Paper. Institute of Fisheries Management, 7th Specialist Conference: Fisheries and Forests – Where Next? Rheged, Penrith, Cumbria. 21 April 2015. 4 pp. [Extended Abstract Published]
  • Wilson, E. R., 2015. Book review. O’Hara, K. 2014. Multiaged silviculture: managing for complex forest stand structures. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 240 pp. International Forestry Review 17(1): 115 [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Wilson, E. R. 2015. Tree marking for pleasure and profit. Woodland Heritage Journal 20: 124-126 [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Wilson, E. R. 2015. Continuous Cover Forestry: delivering sustainable and resilient woodlands in Britain. CCFG 2014 National Conference Report. Woodland Heritage Journal 20: 132-134
  • Wilson, E. R. 2015. So you want to work in Forestry? Woodland Heritage Journal 20: 129-131 [reprinted from Forestry Journal 21(1) 2015] [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Wilson, E. R. 2015. Higher education qualifications in arboriculture and forestry. Forestry and Timber News (April 2015): 17 [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Wilson, E. R. 2015. So you want to work in Forestry? Forestry Journal 21(1): 22-23

2014

Research in Focus

Evaluating stress relief in urban green and open spaces: does perceived naturalness make a difference?

Agnes E. Van den Berg, Anna Jorgensen and Edward R. Wilson
Landscape and Urban Planning 127: 173-181

SUMMARY: A growing body of research suggests that natural settings are more effective in providing restoration from depleted emotional and cognitive resources than built settings. However, there is a lack of evidencebased guidelines on which options for urban green space design and management are most effective in providing restoration. To address this need, the present study examined the restorative impacts of urban public spaces differing in naturalness. After having been pre-stressed by watching a scary movie, 102 participants were randomly assigned to viewing one of four photo/video presentations depicting an urban street, parkland, tended woodland, or wild woods. Self-reported mood and restorative state were measured at baseline, after the stressor and after viewing the environment. After controlling for stress reactivity, participants in the natural conditions showed stronger recovery on all dependent measures than those in the urban street condition. Differences in recovery among the natural settings did not reach significance. Keyword analysis revealed that the wild woods were described as more arousing than the parkland and tended woodland. There was substantial variation in recovery of vitality within natural conditions, which was related to perceptions of naturalness. In general, the findings suggest that restoration in urban public spaces depends on individual perceptions and needs as well as physical characteristics of the setting.

Sample photos of the four test environments: 1. urban street; 2. parkland; 3. tended woodland; 4. wild woods.

2013

  • Wilson, E. R. 2013. Professional forestry education at the National School of Forestry, University of Cumbria: submission to the strategic review (July 2013). SRI Discussion Paper SRI-2013-DP01. Silviculture Research International, Penrith. 6 pp. [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Wilson, E. R. 2013. Professional forestry education in Canada. Forestry and Timber News [April 2013] [view pdf] pdficon_small

2012

  • Helliwell, D. R., and E. R. Wilson. 2012. Continuous cover forestry in Britain: challenges and opportunities. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 106(3): 214-224
  • Wilson, E. R. 2012. Professional forestry education in Canada. SRI Discussion Paper SRI-2012-DP01. Silviculture Research International, Penrith. 7 pp. [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Denyer, R, C. Starr and E. R. Wilson. 2012. Chalara outbreak: North West England rises to the challenge. Contributions to the National Chalara Action Plan, Report of the Forestry Commission Regional Advisory for NW England. Submitted 22 November 2012. Unpublished paper. 3 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2012. Independent Panel on Forestry, National Stakeholder Event: Summary Report. Central Hall, Westminster, 10 July 2012. Unpublished paper. 7 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2012. Letter to the Editor. Woodland Heritage Journal 2012: 57
  • Wilson, E. R. 2012. Learning Lessons from the Ashes. Letter to the Editor. The Guardian, 5 November 2012. Also online: www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/nov/04/learning-lessons-from-the-ashes
  • Wilson, E. R. 2012. We must decide the areas in which ash trees are to be preserved. Letter to the Editor. The Daily Telegraph, 5 November 2012 (p. 31). Also online: www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9652128/We-must-decide-the-areas-in-which-ash-trees-are-to-be-preserved
  • Wilson, E. R. 2012. Making a difference in forestry education. Woodland Heritage Journal 2012: 35

2011

  • Wilson, E. R. 2011. Tick bites and Lyme disease: guide for forest users. Version 3.0 (April 2012). Royal Forestry Society, Tring, Herts. 2 pp. Available online: www.rfs.org.uk/learning/ticks_and_Lyme_disease (latest 2015 version)
  • Wilson, E. R. 2011. The current and future management of forest resources in England. Discussion Paper. Submission to Independent Panel on Forestry (Defra, London), 31 July 2011. 4 pp.

2010

  • Petrokofsky, G., N. D. Brown, G. E. Hemery, S. Woodward, E. R. Wilson, et al. 2010. Identifying high priority questions for policy-relevant research using a participatory process. Forestry doi:10.1093/forestry/cpq018 (July 2010)
  • Wilson, E. R. 2010. Tick bites and Lyme disease: guide for forest users. Version 2.1 (June 2011). Royal Forestry Society, Tring, Herts. 2 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2010. Sustainable management and conservation of forest resources in southern Finland. Project Report for Nature Exchange (2010): Finland. Leonardo da Vinci Programme, European Commission. 11 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2010. Tick bites and Lyme disease: guide for forest users. Version 1.0 (May 2010). Royal Forestry Society, Tring, Herts. 2 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2010. Lyme disease: practices for prevention. Woodland Heritage Journal 2010: 72-73

2009

2008

  • Wilson, E. R., and A. D. Leslie. 2008. The development of even-aged plantation forests: a field-based practical exercise in forest stand dynamics. Journal of Biological Education 42(4): 170-176 [selected for the collection of 100 papers in celebration of the UN International Year of the Forests, 2011] Link to presentation [view pdf] pdficon_small
  • Wilson, E. R. 2008. Lyme disease in British woodlands. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 102(2): 209-212
  • Morgan, P., J. R. Ralph and E. R. Wilson. 2008. Continuous Cover Forestry in Wales. Continuous Cover Forestry Group submission to Welsh Woodland Strategy Review, 14 October 2008. 22 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2008. Seeing is believing: the potential of horse logging in continuous cover forests. CCFG Newsletter 28: 20
  • Wilson, E. R. 2008. Ticks bites and Lyme disease in British forests [online]. Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor). Edinburgh, Scotland. Published 1 April 2008 at URL: http://confor.org.uk/Default.aspx?pid=161&id=0
  • Wilson, E. R. 2008. Ticks bites and Lyme disease. Forestry and Timber News (April 2008): 9.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2008. Unlocking the below-ground secrets of trees. Woodland Heritage Journal 2008: 50-51.

2007

2006

  • Wilson, E. R. 2006. Forest management and conservation in Latvia. Scottish Forestry 60(4): 14-21
  • Leslie, A. D., E. R. Wilson and C. B. Starr. 2006. The current state of professional forestry education in the United Kingdom. International Forestry Review 8(3): 339-349
  • Wilson, E. R. 2006. Foresters as global citizens. Woodland Heritage Journal 2006: 8
  • Wilson, E. R. 2006. The management and conservation of forest resources in Latvia. Project Report for Nature Exchange (2006): Latvia. Leonardo da Vinci Programme, European Commission. 21 pp.
  • Rodhouse, S., and E. R. Wilson. 2006. Continuous cover forestry: a selected bibliography. Forest Research Report 2006-02. National School of Forestry. 68 pp. ISSN 1746-0514 [Archived at www.forestresearch.gov.uk, link on Continuous Cover Silviculture page.]
  • Savill, P., G. Hemery and E. R. Wilson. 2006. Establishment of Broadleaves. Woodland Heritage Technical Guide. Woodland Heritage, Haslemere.

2005

  • Clark, J. R., and E. R. Wilson. 2005. The importance of plus-tree selection in the improvement of hardwoods. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 99(1): 45-50 [James Prize, Royal Forestry Society, 2005]
  • Wilson, E. R. 2005. Stand intervention design for continuous cover forestry: a computer-aided decision support tool [version 1.0]. National School of Forestry, Newton Rigg, Cumbria. 5 pp. [software plus instruction guide]
  • Wilson, E. R. 2005. Lust for light: photosynthesis and the growth of trees. Cumberland News (Education Supplement) (25 March 2005): 11
  • Wilson, E. R. 2005. Continuous cover forestry education and training. Woodland Heritage Journal 2005: 4-5

2004

  • Wilson, E. R., and C. B. Starr. 2004. Hardwood genetics and silvicultural research in the UK. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 98(4): 280-285

2003

  • Wilson, E. R. 2003. Thinking about a career in forestry? Careers information leaflet. National School of Forestry, University of Central Lancashire, Newton Rigg, Cumbria. (A4 format, 6 faces, colour photos).
  • Clark, J. R., and E. R. Wilson. 2003. Register of plus trees for ash in Britain. Forest Research Report 2003-01. National School of Forestry, Newton Rigg. 22 pp. ISSN 1746-0514 [includes CD-ROM database of 500 plus trees]

2002

  • Clark, J., and E. R. Wilson. 2002. Selecting the best ash for tomorrow’s woodlands. Forestry and Timber News (June 2002): 2-3.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2002. Introduction to tree improvement and genetics. National School of Forestry, Newton Rigg, Cumbria. 11 pp.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2002. A primer in tree silvics, with reference to British and Irish forests.  National School of Forestry, Newton Rigg, Cumbria. 6 pp.

2001

  • Wilson, E. R. 2001. Continuous Cover Forestry in southern Ontario, Canada. CCFG Newsletter 19: 28-38
  • Wilson, E. R. 2001. A primer in forest stand dynamics. National School of Forestry, Newton Rigg, Cumbria. 21 pp.

2000

  • Jackson, S. M., F. Pinto, J. R. Malcolm and E. R. Wilson. 2000. A comparison of pre-European settlement (1857) and current (1981-1995) forest composition in central Ontario. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 30: 605-612
  • Wilson, E. R. 2000. The establishment of red oak in plantations. Pages 1-8 In Wright, K., and D. Gibson (editors). Proceedings: The ecology, silviculture and management of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence oak. Westwind Sustainable Forestry Conference 7. 1-3 Nov. 2000. Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2000. A brief history of forestry. National School of Forestry, Newton Rigg, Cumbria. 12 pp.

1999

  • Wilson, E. R., H. W. McIver and D. C. Malcolm. 1999. Transformation to irregular structure of an upland conifer forest. Forestry Chronicle 75(3): 407-412
  • Wilson, E. R., and K. C. Vitols. 1999. Growth potential and field performance of fall-planted container and bare-root seedlings of red oak (Quercus rubra L.). SRi Technical Report 99/01. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 34 pp.

1998

  • Wilson, E. R. 1998. Culture and silviculture. Invited editorial. Atlantic Forestry Review 4 (2): 4-5
  • Allen, S. D., E. J. Stewart, I. Neeposh, D. Neeposh and E. R. Wilson. 1998. Nature Handbook.  Canadian Forest Service, Waswanipi Cree Model Forest, Quebec. 150 pp. (published in Cree, French and English)
  • Wilson, E. R., H. W. McIver and D. C. Malcolm. 1998. Teaching forest stand dynamics. Natural Resources and Environmental Issues 7(1): 77. URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/nrei/vol7/iss1/77

1997

  • Wilson, E. R.  1997.  Book Review. The Native Pinewoods of Scotland, by H. M. Steven and A. Carlisle (Second Edition). Forestry Chronicle 73(1): 156-157.

1996

  • Wilson, E. R.  1996.  Book Review: Trees in Canada, by J. L. Farrar. Commonwealth Forestry Review 75(4): 338.