Gardening in a changing climate
Trees in a Changing Climate Conference
Does climate change signal the end for the trees making up our traditional landscape? Are Mediterranean Aleppo pines soon to be a familiar sight in southern England, and beech forests in northern Scotland?
These were some of the questions raised at a landmark conference held at the University of Surrey in Guildford in June 2005. Experts debated the effects of climate change on the UK’s trees in the 21st century and the serious implications for tree survival, species choice and cultivation in our woodlands, parks and gardens. The conference was organised by the RHS, The Tree Council, Forest Research, UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) and Notcutts.
Trees in a Changing Climate brought together experts in horticulture, forest science and ecology to debate these issues - and how the forestry, conservation, heritage and gardening sectors should respond.
Key speakers for the two-day conference included Elliot Morley MP, Minister of State for Environment and Agri-Environment, who gave the opening address on the government’s priorities for action on climate change and its commitment to research. The debates covered the impacts of climate change on tree growth and function, and the implications and the adaptations necessary in nature conservation, timber production and heritage and amenity gardens. The Rt Hon John Gummer MP, formerly Secretary of State for the Environment, gave the conference summary.
Programme
The summaries and presentations are available as Adobe Acrobat pdfs.
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Session 1
Charles Notcutt (Notcutts Ltd), Chair: Chairman's opening remarks
Elliot Morley MP
Opening address & questions (100KB)
Dr Mark Broadmeadow (Environmental and Human Sciences Division, Forest Research): ‘Impacts on Tree Growth and Function’
Summary (12KB)
Presentation (903KB)
Questions (32KB)
Prof Clive Brasier (Tree Health Division, Forest Research and Professor Emeritus, Imperial College London): ‘Climate Change and Tree Health’
Summary (13KB)
Presentation (968KB)
Questions (44KB)
Dr Keith Kirby (English Nature): ‘Impacts on Tree Ecology’
Summary (20KB)
Presentation (1MB)
Mr Mike Calnan (Head of Gardens and Parks, The National Trust): ‘Implications and adaptations: heritage and amenity gardens’
Summary (9KB)
Presentation & questions (60KB)
The Rt Hon John Gummer MP
Presentation (64KB)
Session 2
Pauline Buchanan Black (Director-General, The Tree Council): Chair
Prof Jeff Burley CBE (Director-Emeritus, Oxford Forestry Institute): ‘Implications and adaptations: species choice and timber production’
Summary (10KB)
Presentation (903KB)
Dr Richard Smithers (Woodland Trust): ‘Implications and adaptations: nature conservation and biodiversity’
Summary (16KB)
Presentation & questions (88KB)
Prof Richard Michalet (University of Bordeaux): ‘The French Experience - trees in the climate of Bordeaux’
Presentation (2.3MB)
Panel discussion & summing up (124KB)
About the Conference organisers
Founded in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK’s leading gardening charity and is committed to being the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. Renowned for its outstanding gardens and inspirational flower shows, the RHS is a key source of advice and information for all gardeners. It encourages gardening through its publications, trials, lectures, education programmes and scientific research and is home to the Lindley Library, which contains the most comprehensive collection of horticultural books in the world. Find out more about the RHS
Conservation charity The Tree Council, the lead UK tree campaigning partnership, is dedicated to inspiring, initiating and enabling effective action for trees in towns and countryside. Founded in 1974 to keep up the momentum of National Tree Planting Year 1973 (slogan: ‘Plant a Tree in ‘73’), it is an umbrella body for organisations working together for trees - planting, caring for and enjoying them - and a forum for tackling issues relating to trees and woods. Its 150 members range from professional, non-governmental, specialist and trade organisations, including other conservation charities, to local authorities and government bodies. They include The Royal Horticultural Society, the Forestry Commission and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. www.treecouncil.org.uk.
The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) helps organisations assess how they might be affected by climate change, so they can prepare for its impacts. Based at the University of Oxford, UKCIP is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to co-ordinate an integrated assessment of UK climate impacts. UKCIP has co-ordinated stakeholder-led studies on the climate change impacts for all regions of England and for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There are also stakeholder-led studies in a number of sectors, including gardens, biodiversity, built environment and health. UKCIP also offers a range of tools and data to help organisations plan for and respond to the impacts of climate change and to develop adaptation strategies. www.ukcip.org.uk.
Forest Research is the research agency of the Forestry Commission and the principal organisation in Britain engaged in forestry and tree-related research. It provides research, development, surveys and related services to the forest industry and authoritative advice in support of the UK government’s forestry policies. For further information see www.forestresearch.gov.uk.