#MembersHour Webinar Series

Agroforestry integrates trees into farming, offering benefits for agriculture and the environment. Discussions focus on the need for increased tree cover, the loss of trees outside woodlands, and the importance of restoring tree populations. This session also emphasises the long-term relationships with farmers, regulatory challenges and the business benefits of agroforestry, alongside funding opportunities for projects.

The session addresses ash dieback, a major threat to ash trees, detailing its destructive effects and recovery potential. Experts share insights on disease symptoms, transmission, and the role of environmental factors. Management strategies are discussed, including the importance of preserving resilient trees and the impact of the emerald ash borer. The genetic diversity of the pathogen and potential replacement species are also examined.

Ancient woodlands play a crucial role in biodiversity and cultural history. The speakers highlights their decline and the need for society to reconnect with nature amid the climate crisis. They discuss historical land management and the challenges of protecting these ecosystems, including landowner resistance and the complexities of timber production. The conversation emphasises the importance of collaboration.

The session addresses the challenges of single-use plastics in forestry and their environmental impact. It highlights the need for sustainable management and discusses low global recycling rates. The conversation explores bioplastics, their sustainability concerns, and the complexities of plastic recovery and recycling. Alternatives to plastics are emphasised, focusing on prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling. The session also touches on deer management and the historical use of fencing to protect trees.

The DiversiTree project aims to improve woodland resilience by diversifying tree species. Supported by UKRI, the project tackles challenges like social science understanding and microbial diversity. Key discussions include the importance of diverse tree species, forest management practices and the role of epigenetics and microbiomes in tree health. Stakeholder engagement and the transferability of research findings are also highlighted.

Biodegradable tree shelters are essential for enhancing woodland planting and addressing environmental issues related to plastic. This session discusses current solutions, recycling schemes and the history of tree shelters. Three eco-friendly shelter options are presented, along with the development of next generationshelters. Key topics include soil microbiology.