Research

Our Laboratory is the Forest

Welcome to the SilvicultureLab of Silviculture Research International. The lab has been engaged in applied forest research since 1997 and contributed to programmes and projects across Europe and North America. Our work addresses all aspects of silvicultural science. Currently our two most important projects are “Supersizing Broadleaves” and the “TranSSFor Project”. Most of the knowledge transfer and research we undertake is linked to adaptation of forest management strategies to changing environmental, economic and social conditions.

Current Research

Supersizing Broadleaves

This research is of strategic significance and focuses on maximising the potential of broadleaf seedlings to establish quickly in new forest plantations. Three species are being studied: Quercus robur, Betula pendula and Acer pseudoplatanus. The project is using genetically diverse seed selected for high growth and form, and exploring different nursery protocols and silvicultural interventions compared to standard practice. Research will be guided by a literature review and involve field trials. The lead partner for this work is Future Trees Trust. Silviculture Research International is primarily involved in assessing seedling quality based on morphological attributes.

Funding: Tree Production Innovation Fund [DEFRA, UK Government]
Timeline: The initial phase of the project is to be completed in 2023-2024.

Assessing seedling quality for the Supersizing Broadleaves project. Credit: © 2023 Jon Walton

TranSSFor: The Transformation of Sitka Spruce stands to Continuous Cover Forestry

Two research projects have now been dedicated to promoting greater understanding and confidence in Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) in Ireland. The first of these was the COFORD-funded “Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS) in Ireland” project, led by University College Dublin (UCD), which ran from 2010-2014. This began the process of filling knowledge gaps and resulted in a series of reports and publications (see References below). This work is now being taken forward through a 5-year Teagasc-funded project titled “Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry” – the TranSSFor project.

Funding: Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Programme
Partners: Teagasc Forestry Development Department and UCD Forestry
Timeline: Outcomes are due to be reported throughout 2024.

Integrate Darnaway

The INTEGRATE DARNAWAY Project involves setting up two large (1 ha) forest plots, called Marteloscopes. The project combines silviculture education, training and research to focus on the decision-making process associated with the adaptive management of forest stands in transformation to continuous cover forestry. The project is taking place at Darnaway Forest, Forres, Scotland. The plots will be known as Darnaway 1 and Darnaway 2, and they will be selected to represent different forest stand types and species compositions. Trees in each plot will be mapped and scored in great detail for timber quality and biodiversity values. Data will be uploaded to the project server for formatting and analysis, then downloaded onto tablet computers using bespoke “I+ software”. Students will learn how to manage woodland through virtual selection of trees to thin out and achieve a variety of objectives. The challenge might be to maximise the biodiversity of the site, it may be to provide a sustainable supply of high quality timber, or a blend of these objectives and more. Results from training exercises will provide the basis for research on human-tree decision processes and the development of future training approaches for CCF in Scotland.

Funding: Tree Fund, Vastern Timber, Moray Estates
Partners: Moray Estates, Integrate Network (EFI) and Silviculture Research
Timeline: Phase 1 [plot establishmnent and inventory analysis] is to be completed in Q1/Q2 2024, Phase 2 [workshops and data analysis] are due to be reported Q3/Q4 2024.

Research in Focus

TranSSFor Project Logo 2017

Project Objectives

The focus of the TranSSFor project is a study of thinning in mid-rotation Sitka spruce stands being transformed to continuous cover forests. Experimental sites are located at two locations in Ireland, with “low”, “crown” and “graduated thinning” treatments. The study was initiated in 2010 and thinning took place in 2011 and 2014. In 2018/19 we completed the third thinning, and currently are in the process of evaluating stand and individual tree development, modelling growth and assessing allometric relationships. A fourth thinning has now taken place in spring 2023, being reported separately under a new programme called ContinuFor.   

Several research objectives have been identified for the TranSSFor thinning study:

  1. To further investigate the impact of two thinning treatments (graduated density thinning and crown thinning), relative to the control low thinning treatment, on the transformation of pure Sitka spruce stands to CCF after the third thinning intervention.
  2. To provide an assessment of various stand parameters, including the potential stand stability, impact on diversity and canopy cover, tree and stand increment, and production and economics of using alternative thinning regimes; and use data for modelling future stand development.
  3. To deliver training and research on human decision-making factors, related to tree-marking and prescriptions design in stands undergoing transformation to CCF.

Project Team 

The project team includes: Ted Wilson (UCD/Teagasc, Walsh Fellow), Dr. Áine Ní Dhubháin (UCD, supervisor), Dr. Ian Short (Teagasc, supervisor) and Paddy Purser (PTR Ltd., adviser). The project builds on earlier work (2010-2014) by Dr. Lucie Vitková, currently a Researcher at the Department of Forest Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.

A tree selected for superior stem quality (Q-tree) in the Crown thinning treatment. In this intervention regime, competitor trees are marked for thinning to create more space for the Q-trees to grow. This increases the structural diversity of the stand and provides small gaps for the initiation of natural regeneration | Photo: © 2019 E. R. Wilson.
Sitka spruce female cones, May 2019 | Ballycullen Forest | Photo: © 2019 E. R. Wilson.

Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.)

Sitka spruce is the most important commercial conifer species in Britain and Ireland. In total, approximately 1 M ha has been established since 1919. Most woodlands are currently managed as even-aged plantations on a rotational forest management system, with rotations typically 30-40 years. Increasingly there is interest in alternative approaches to managing the species to promote resilience and to deliver a wider range of ecosystem services than before. Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is one of the strategies currently being investigated, both in terms of early- and late-transformation of planted woodlands. More information about the biology, ecology and silviculture of Sitka spruce is provided in the links below:

Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), stand transformation, Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis, Ireland.
Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) in transformation from a plantation to continuous cover forestry. The image shows the early stages of structural development with seedlings regenerating in a small canopy gap. Ticknock Forest, Dublin Mountains, Ireland. | Photo: © 2018 E. R. Wilson.
E. R. Wilson, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western hemlock, CCF, continuous cover forestry, silviculture, Ireland, transformation.
Transformation of a productive conifer plantation to continuous cover forestry. Species present include Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). The image shows a developing canopy gap with advanced natural regeneration arising from several stages of stand intervention. Cloragh Woods, County Wicklow, Ireland. | Photo: © 2022 E. R. Wilson.

Research Assistants

The TranSSFor Project has been pleased to offer research and work experience opportunities to early-career foresters and timber engineers interested in silvicultural science. In total, 14 students from Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Poland and Canada have joined the research team. In the final field season, the field-work team included student foresters/engineers from France, Scotland and Ireland. Seven dissertations have been successfully completed (UCD, Toronto, Aberdeen and Krakow).    

The TranSSFor project team for summer 2019. Left to right, Mallaury Vagelli (timber engineering, University of Lorraine), Fraser Wight (environmental and forest management, University of Aberdeen), Ted Smith (forestry, UCD) and Ted Wilson (Walsh Fellow, silviculture, Teagasc/UCD).

Outputs and Outreach

Publications

Media Reports

Conference and Workshop Presentations

  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short and A. Ni Dhubhain. 2022. Learning by doing: a practical approach to improving stand resilience through Tree Marker Training​. SILVA Network Annual Conference, 28-30 June 2022, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Ireland. 28 June 2022 Conference Abstract
  • Wilson, E. R. 2022. Transforming Irish Forests through Continuous Cover Forestry: from Research to Practice. Irish Forest Owners, IFO Forestry Solutions Series: Continuous Cover Forestry [online]. 3 February 2022. 
  • Wilson, E. R. 2021. Transforming Irish Forests through Continuous Cover Forestry. Invited Lecture. OPFA Annual Meeting [online] (Canada). 7 April 2021. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2020. Continuous cover forestry research in Ireland. Forestry Commission Tree Health Workshop [online] (United Kingdom). 10 December 2020. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2020. Research update: transformation of planted Sitka spruce stands to CCF in Ireland. Pro Silva Ireland Webinar. Online event (Ireland). 8 September 2020.
  • Wilson, E. R., and L. Byrne. 2020. Transforming Irish forests. Pro Silva Ireland Webinar. Online event (Ireland). 8 September 2020.
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2020. Transformation of planted Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry in Ireland. Continuous Cover Forestry Workshop, Forêt.Nature, Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium. 20 January 2020.
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. TranSSFor Project: research update. Teagasc Forestry Development Department. Athenry, County Galway, Ireland. 12 December 2019.
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. The TranSSFor Project – transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry. ESRM Research Conference. University College Dublin, Ireland. 6 December 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. TranSSFor – Update on Research in Continuous Cover Forestry. Forestry Development Department Research Open Day. Oak Park, Co. Carlow, Ireland. 16 October 2019. [view pdf]
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. Comparison of three thinning regimes in Sitka spruce stands to promote structural diversity and timber quality. Swiss Forest Lab Summer School, Davos, Switzerland. 18-24 August 2019. 
  • Ní Dhubháin, Á., and E. R. Wilson. 2019. Alternatives to clearfell. Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), All Ireland Woody Plant Seminar, Armagh, Northern Ireland. 15 January 2019.
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. Transforming Sitka spruce plantations to continuous cover forestry in Ireland. Pro Silva Bohemica Workshop, Exemplary Forest Units of Uneven-aged Forestry within the Forest District of Kocanda, Czech Republic. 25-26 October 2018.
  • Wilson, E., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: comparison of three thinning treatments. Conference Poster. National Forestry Conference: The Importance of Forestry in the Bio-economy. Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co. Meath, Ireland, 30 May 2018. [view pdf] or SlideShare
  • Wilson, E., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: comparison of three thinning treatments. Conference Poster. Woodlands of Ireland Conference, Delgany, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, 30 April 2018. [view pdf]  or SlideShare.

Invited Lectures and Seminars

  • Wilson, E. R. 2022. Transforming Irish forests through continuous cover forestry. Guest Lecture. UCD Master of Landscape Architecture (MLArch) Programme, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. 29 March 2022. 
  • Wilson, E. R. 2021. Continuous cover forestry: theory and practice. Guest Lecture [online]. Scottish School of Forestry, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Scotland. 13 September 2021. 
  • Wilson, E. R. 2019. Continuous cover forestry – the rise of transformational silviculture in Ireland and the UK. Guest Seminar. Canadian Forest Service. Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB, Canada. 22 October 2019.
  • Wilson, E. R. 2019. The role of thinning in the transformation of planted stands to continuous cover forestry (CCF). Silviculture Seminar. Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada. 22 October 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R. 2019. Forest resilience and the drive to adapt forestry practices in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Current Issues in Forest Conservation Seminar. Master of Forest Conservation Program. John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 21 October 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R. 2019. Continuous cover forestry: transformation of planted forests to irregular structure woodlands. Applied Forest Ecology Seminar. Master of Forest Conservation Program. John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 15 October 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. Continuous cover forestry.Invited Lecture, Laois Farm Forestry Group, AGM, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland. 24 January 2019.
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. ​Which tree to cut, which tree to leave? A qualitative analysis of foresters’ decision-making processes in continuous cover forests. Qualitative Research Group Seminar, Teagasc, Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland. 20 September 2018. 
  • *Wilson, E. R. 2018. Transformation of even-aged conifer stands to continuous cover forests. Guest Lecture. School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland. 30 January 2018. 

Site Visits and Training Events

  • Byrne, L., R. Wirz and E. R. Wilson. 2022. Continuous cover forestry: Dunranhill Forest and Cloragh Woods. Pro Silva Ireland field workshop.  UCD Master of Landscape Architecture (MLArch) Programme, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. 30 March 2022. Programme.
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2020. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Ballycullen, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, UCD Forestry, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. 5 November 2021. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2020. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Ballycullen, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, UCD Forestry, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. 13 November 2020. 
  • Wilson, E. R., P. O’Tuama, I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2020. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Fossyhill Forest, Co. Laois, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, Waterford Institute of Technology. 9 November 2020. 
  • Byrne, L., P. Purser and E. Wilson. 2020. Demonstrating the potential of Continuous Cover Forestry in Ireland. Forest Workshop, Cloragh Woods, County Wicklow. 23 September 2020. 
  • Wilson, E. R., P. O’Tuama, I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Fossyhill Forest, Co. Laois, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, Waterford Institute of Technology. 4 November 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Ballycullen, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, UCD Forestry, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. 1 November 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2019. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Fossyhill Forest, Co. Laois, Ireland. Laois Farm Forestry Group. 23 September 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin, P. Purser and P. O’Tuama. 2019. Comparison of three thinning treatments in Sitka spruce stands under transformation to continuous cover forestry, Fossyhill, Co. Laois, Ireland. AGM and Forest Visit. Association of Irish Forestry Consultants. 29 May 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin, P. Purser and P. O’Tuama. 2019. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Ballycullen, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Pro Silva Ireland Open Forest Day. 27 April 2019. 
  • Wilson, E. R., P. O’Tuama, I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Fossyhill Forest, Co. Laois, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, Waterford Institute of Technology. 19 November 2018. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. Transformation of Sitka spruce stands to continuous cover forestry: the TranSSFor thinning study. Knowledge dissemination event, Ballycullen, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Silviculture Study Visit, UCD Forestry, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. 2 November 2018. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin, P. Purser and J. Spazzi. 2018. Tree Marker Training for Continuous Cover Forestry. Short Course. Fossyhill Forest, Co Laois, Ireland. 20 June 2018.
  • *Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. Comparison of three thinning treatments in Sitka spruce stands under transformation to continuous cover forestry. State Forest Services Silviculture Working Group, Field Meeting, Fossyhill, Co. Laois, Ireland. 16 May 2018. 
  • *Wilson, E. R., I. Short, Á. Ní Dhubháin and P. Purser. 2018. A continuous cover forestry approach to managing productive Sitka spruce stands. University College Dublin, Forests, Climate and Carbon Field Visit, Dooary Forest, Co. Laois, Ireland. 23 March 2018. 
  • Wilson, E. R., I. Short and Á. Ní Dhubháin. 2017. Thinning your forest: theory and practice. Ballycullen Field Visit, UCD Forestry, School of Agriculture and Food Science, UCD, Dublin, Ireland. 3 November 2017.

Theses and Dissertations

  • Robbie Connolly – BAgrSc (Forestry)(Hons), University College Dublin, Ireland (2022).  
  • Michael Smith – BAgrSc (Forestry)(Hons), University College Dublin, Ireland (2020).  
  • Fraser Wight – BSc (Hons) Environmental and Forest Management, University of Aberdeen, Scotland (2020). 
  • Andrzej Owczorz – BSc Forestry Engineering, University of Agriculture, Krakow, Poland (2019).
  • Colm Gardner – BAgrSc (Forestry)(Hons), University College Dublin, Ireland (2019).
  • John Sergison – BSc (Hons) Forestry, University of Aberdeen, Scotland (2019).  
  • Dan Root – Master of Forest Conservation, University of Toronto, Canada (2018).

Project Links

Background CCF Publications and Information

  • Morgan, P., and E. R. Wilson. 2013. The AFI Network: monitoring continuous cover forests in Europe. Society of American Foresters National Convention 2013 – Silviculture Matters! North Charleston, South Carolina, USA, 23-27 October 2013. [view pdf]  or SlideShare
  • Sanchez, C. 2017. Pro Silva silviculture: guidelines on continuous cover forestry/close to nature forestry management practices. Forêt Wallonne, Namur, Belgium. 64 p. Link here
  • Susse, R., et al. 2011. Management of irregular forests: developing the full potential of the forest. Association Futaie Irrégulière, Besançon, France. 144 p.
  • Vitková, L., and Á. Ní Dhubháin. 2013. Transformation to continuous cover forestry: a review. Irish Forestry 70(1/2): 119-140 Link here
  • Vitková, L., Á. Ní Dhubháin, P. Ó’Tuama and P. Purser. 2013. The practice of continuous cover forestry in Ireland. Irish Forestry 70(1/2): 141-156 Link here
  • Vitková, L., Á. Ní Dhubháin and V. Upton. 2014. Forestry professionals’ attitudes and beliefs in relation to, and understanding of continuous cover forestry. Scottish Forestry 68(3): 17-25
  • Wilson, E. R., and P. Morgan. 2013. Long-term research in uneven-aged silviculture at Glentress Forest, Scotland. Society of American Foresters National Convention 2013 – Silviculture Matters. North Charleston, South Carolina, USA, 23-27 October 2013. [view pdf]  or SlideShare
  • 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., H. W. McIver and D. C. Malcolm. 1999. Transformation to irregular structure of an upland conifer forest. Forestry Chronicle 75(3): 407-412

News about Continuous Cover Forestry

Resources on Irish Forestry