Myerscough College and University Centre

Effectively applying tree biology to an increasingly urban world

Applied Plant Science research into the effect of contrasting planting scenarios on species selection. This work resulted in a comprehensive research-based decision-making and guidance tool on appropriate plant selection, published for the first time in the UK, and subsequently downloaded over 30,000 times globally and translated into French and Dutch. This work was conducted in collaboration with Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the Scientific Curator at Gothenburg Botanical Garden, thus fostering effective links between students, staff, and industry need.

Alongside this, Dr. Andy Hirons conducted research into guidance on tree species selection for green infrastructure. University Centre Myerscough (UCM) lead this Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Green Infrastructure Innovation Project which developed a comprehensive guide for specifiers, this is the link: Tree Species Selection for Green Infrastructure - Trees and Design Action Group (tdag.org.uk) 

As researchers, Drs Hirons and Sjöman are passionate about integrating scientific evidence into practice. Therefore, the successful NERC application allowed them to translate some of their primary research and conduct further meta-analysis to systematically report evidence-based species profiles. Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) provided an independent platform with a track record of delivering excellent guidance for those engaged with establishing trees in urban environments.

Independent project reviewer for NERC described the project as an “absolutely first-class exemplar of effective, user-focussed translation of high-quality research into effective, user-friendly resources with tangible impact, and one that should, in my view, be held out to the NERC research community as a gold standard project”.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Our belief was that guidance on tree species selection, underpinned by science and available to all communities tasked with delivering green infrastructure projects, would have the capacity to transform the long-term security of associated ecosystem services.
2. By identifying a range of species that are suitable for different green infrastructure scenarios, we will give those specifying plantings the confidence to try new species, broaden the expectation of diverse plant material from nurseries and act to increase the resilience of vital green infrastructure schemes. 
3. The guidance ‘Tree Species Guide’ is widely used across a cohort of industry having been downloaded 30,000 times. The popularity has resulted in the guide being translated into Dutch and French.