Tree Stock Climate Resilience Surveys

Are your trees suitable for the climate of tomorrow?

The trees we plant today may need to survive conditions very different from those they have experienced in the past.

Hotter summers, periods of drought, intense rainfall, changing soil moisture and increasing pressure from pests and diseases can all affect the health and longevity of our tree stock.

At Wood's Tree Consultancy, we assess existing and proposed tree populations to identify potential climate-related vulnerabilities and help develop more resilient tree populations for the future.

Why does tree resilience matter?

A tree can be well suited to a site today but become increasingly stressed as growing conditions change.

Climate resilience is therefore about more than simply choosing a drought-tolerant species.

A resilient tree population should consider:

• Site conditions;

• Soil type and structure;

• Water availability;

• Exposure;

• Future climate conditions;

• Species diversity;

• Pest and disease susceptibility;

• Expected mature size;

• Available rooting volume;

• Maintenance requirements;

• Biodiversity value;

• The surrounding landscape.

Our assessments bring these factors together to help inform better long-term tree selection and management.

Assessing your existing tree stock

Climate resilience should be considered before trees are planted, not after they begin to struggle.

We can use our site assessment to help select species that are appropriate for the site's conditions and likely to remain suitable as the climate changes.

Our recommendations can consider:

• Native and non-native species;

• Species diversity;

• Drought tolerance;

• Soil conditions;

• Water availability;

• Exposure and wind;

• Urban heat;

• Future canopy requirements;

• Pest and disease susceptibility;

• Biodiversity;

• Landscape character.

There is no single list of "climate-proof" trees. The best species will depend on the location, soil, available rooting environment and purpose of the planting.

Increasing species diversity

A resilient tree population is less dependent on one or two species.

Increasing diversity can reduce the risk that a particular pest, disease, drought event or other environmental pressure affects the entire tree population.

We can help develop a more diverse species palette that balances resilience, biodiversity, landscape character and practical site requirements.

Forest Research identifies increased species diversity as one potential way of improving resilience to climate change and other threats such as pests and pathogens.

Climate-Resilient Tree Planting Plans

Where new planting is proposed, our assessment can feed directly into a planting scheme.

We can help identify:

• Appropriate species;

• Suitable planting locations;

• Species diversity;

• Expected mature dimensions;

• Soil requirements;

• Rooting conditions;

• Water requirements;

• Long-term management requirements.

This allows the planting design to consider the tree's entire life rather than simply its appearance when first planted.

Future-Proofing Existing Tree Populations