Course SR-01 | Tree Marker Training
Early-stage transformation of Planted Forest Stands to Continuous Cover Forestry
Overview
Tree marking is a key skill for any single-tree forest management system, including Continuous Cover Forestry. It is defined as the process of selecting the trees to retain and trees to remove at each individual stand intervention. With changes in forestry practice, closely linked to greater need for species and structural diversity, there is a renewed interest in tree marking as a skill and area for continuing professional development. Established in 2018, the Tree Marker Training Programme delivers a range of short courses in productive conifers (Sitka spruce, Douglas fir), broadleaves (oak) and mixed-species stands. The training addresses both early-stage and late-stage stand transformation.
Following a successful pilot in September 2018 (working with Coillte and Natural Resources Wales), our first course was a 2-day Tree Marker Training course that focuses on early-stage transformation of conifer plantations to continuous cover forestry (CCF). From 2019, this course has mostly been presented in partnership with Pro Silva Ireland to meet the demand for training from foresters, woodland owners and forestry students in Ireland.
The course provides an introduction to the theory of CCF and the practical steps involved in starting the transformation of a planted stand. It comprises two indoor sessions and two outdoor sessions. The forest where we deliver the training has a specially-prepared plot (often referred to as marteloscopes) where all the trees are numbered and assessed in terms of a range of qualitative and quantitative attributes. This forms the basis of hands-on training exercises designed to enhance skills in the development and implementation of tree marking prescriptions. Four training exercises are included in the practical sessions, allowing participants to compare three approaches: low, crown and graduated density thinning. Individual feedback is provided from each exercise.
In 2024, a revised version of the Tree Marker Training course was introduced in collaboration with Cumbria Woodlands. This is a 3-day course that includes additional information about site selection, soils, forest dynamics and inventory. An additional field exercise is included in this course. Biodiversity and conservation values are an integral part of the course, which is located in a productive conifer woodland that is a designated red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) reserve.
Tree Marker Training (Course 01) serves as a foundation for developing skill and confidence in tree marking and the initiation of stand transformation to CCF. In collaboration with colleagues in the CCF community, we are also devising more advanced courses focused on mixed-species stands, habitat/conservation management and later-stage transformations. The aim is to provide a progression route for those interested in extending their skills in the silviculture of CCF.
Silviculture Training Plots (Marteloscopes)
A total of six training sites have been established in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, five being designed for early-stage stand transformation. These include three Sitka spruce stands, one Douglas first stand and one oak stand. The final training site is in a mature Scots pine stand with significant understorey regeneration that is primarily for training in habitat conservation and late-stage stand transformation.
Latest Courses
Schedule of Courses
The next available Cumbria Tree Marker Training Course will take place at Whinfell Forest (Lowther Estate), near Penrith, Cumbria, Spring 2026. The next available Irish Tree Marker Training Courses will take place at Foxcovert Wood, Kilteel, County Kildare in Spring 2026. These will take place in productive conifer plantations. New for 2025 were our first oak silviculture courses, featuring the early-stage transformation of a plantation of oak (Quercus robur).
Dates and locations for the Tree Marker Training courses that have been delivered are as follows:
- Course SR-01-23 – Kilteel Forest | 12-13 January 2026 | Soon (with Pro Silva Ireland and University College Dublin)
- Course SR-01-22 – Darnaway Forest| 5 October 2025 | Completed (Reforesting Scotland, with Silviculture Academy)
- Course SR-01-21 – Darnaway Forest | 3 October 2025 | Completed (Scottish School of Forestry, with Silviculture Academy)
- Course SR-01-20 – Kilteel Forest | OAK SILVICULTURE | 24 July 2025 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-19 – Kilteel Forest | OAK SILVICULTURE | 13 June 2025 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-18 – Kilteel Forest | OAK SILVICULTURE | 12 June 2025 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-17 – Kilteel Forest | 9-10 April 2025 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-16 – Whinfell Forest | 18-20 March 2025 | Completed (with Cumbria Woodlands)
- Course SR-01-15 – Kilteel Forest | 28 February-1 March 2025 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland and University College Dublin)
- Course SR-01-14 – Kilteel Forest | 23-24 September 2024 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-13 – Whinfell Forest | 10-12 August 2024 | Completed (with Cumbria Woodlands)
- Course SR-01-12 – Whinfell Forest | 3-5 August 2024 | Completed (with Cumbria Woodlands)
- Course SR-01-11 – Whinfell Forest | 27-29 August 2024 | Completed (with Cumbria Woodlands)
- Course SR-01-10 – Kilteel Forest | 20-21 January 2023 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland and University College Dublin)
- Course SR-01-09 – Kilteel Forest | 18-19 October 2022 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-08 – Kilteel Forest | 16-17 September 2020 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-07 – Kilteel Forest | 11-12 September 2019 | Completed ( with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-06 – Kilteel Forest | 4-5 September 2019 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-05 – Kilteel Forest | 4-5 July 2019 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland/Teagasc Forestry)
- Course SR-01-04 – Kilteel Forest | 27-28 March 2019 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-03 – Kilteel Forest | 20-21 March 2019 | Completed (with Pro Silva Ireland)
- Course SR-01-02 – Ystwyth Forest | November 2018 | Completed (with Natural Resources Wales)
- Course SR-01-01 – Ystwyth Forest | September 2018 | Completed (with Natural Resources Wales)
Further Information
- Pro Silva Ireland [opens in new window]
- Cumbria Woodlands [opens in new window]
- Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group [opens in new window]
- Download course notice [example only]: here [pdf opens in new window]
- Email contact: Ted Wilson on ted.wilson@silviculture.org.uk
