Correspondence

eAlert: 22 May 2023

Published 24 May 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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1. New Forestry Nursery Directory

1.1 A new Forestry Nursery Directory designed to help people who buy trees find nurseries who grow trees, is now available.

The Directory contains information about nurseries selling trees across Great Britain, including contact details, nursery size, and a short description of each nursery featured.

All nurseries on the Directory are registered as a Forest Reproductive Material Supplier under the Forest Reproductive Material (Great Britain) Regulations 2002. This means that nurseries must follow certain rules so that planting stock can be traced back to its source (for example, the tree from which seed is collected), and that buyers have information about the product and its genetic quality.

Presence on the Directory does not indicate endorsement by Forestry Commission and the list is not exhaustive.

It is hoped the new Forestry Nursery Directory will support successful grant applicants when looking to buy trees.

If you run a nursery and would like to be included on the Directory or are included in the Directory and would like to request any amends to your profile, please contact nursery.directory@forestrycommission.gov.uk. The Directory will be updated quarterly, with the next update taking place in September.

View the Forest Nursery Directory

2. Domestic seed production boosted with new funding award

2.1 Seed Sourcing Grant Round Two Opens:

The next round of the Seed Sourcing Grant is set to be allocated, with £747,000 available to boost domestic tree seed production, thereby helping to meet the increased demand for trees, create green jobs and achieve our ambitious net zero targets. 

The grant is designed to enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of tree seed sources in England. Most tree seed planted in the UK is of British origin, but evidence suggests that British seed sources may struggle to meet future demand across all species and there are known to be global shortages of tree seed. The grant will boost domestic tree seed production and support green jobs, helping meet the increased demand for trees.  

Eligible activities for the Seed Souring grant include:   

  • management of existing seed stands – the groups of trees in the landscape from which seed is collected – to ensure they are productive for seed collectors
  • desk studies and field studies to identify and bring additional seed stands onto the National Register of Basic material
  • planning and planting of new seed stands
  • planning and planting of new seed orchards – which are planted using seed or clonal material from known parents outside of the natural landscape in an area convenient for seed collectors

To view current seed strategies and apply, please visit our GOV.UK page: Seed Sourcing Grant. Funding will be available until March 2025. 

Read more in the press release: Domestic seed production boosted with new funding award.

Find out more about the Seed Sourcing Grant

2.2 Seed Sourcing Grant - Meet the experts webinar

Are you considering applying for the Seed Sourcing grant? Are you new to seed sourcing or thinking about diversifying into seed sourcing?  

On Monday 5 June, join our ‘Meet the Experts’ webinar to hear about the latest round of the Seed Sourcing Grant, and get hints, tips and advice on applying.  

Hosted by the Forestry Commission, the grant team will guide you through the Seed Sourcing Grant application process, highlight areas to consider in your application as well as common issues from previous applications. An expert panel will then be available to answer any technical questions you may have around seed sourcing in general. 

3. Biosecure Procurement Requirement extended to include three additional tree planting funds 

3.1 Find out whats new.

In line with the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy, the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot has been extended to include three additional Government tree-planting funds to address risks to our biosecurity.  

From the 1 July 2023 this trial will be extended to the: 

New applicants to these funds from 1 July 2023, such as local authorities, must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who are either accredited under the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme or who have passed a Ready to Plant assessment, as provided by Fera Science Ltd for their order, to ensure they are disease and pest free to minimise future threats of invasive species and tree loss. 

Today’s announcement coincides with the Chelsea Flower Show. This year’s RHS Show shines a spotlight on the importance of protecting biodiversity and strengthening and growing native species.

Find out more about the Biosecure Procurement Requirement

4. Celebrating Women in Forestry

4.1 Women’s forestry heritage celebrated in landmark new exhibition

They played a vital role in the war effort and spearheaded the careers of women working in the forestry industry to this day. Now, the remarkable careers of the Women’s Timber Corps is to be celebrated through a photography exhibition at Forestry England’s Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.

The Women’s Timber Corps was established in 1942 and up to 18,000 young women aged between 17 and 24 left their homes (often for the very first time) to take up axes and saws. Battling discrimination, the women referred to as the ‘Lumberjills’ rose to the challenge. Whilst many may have heard of the Women’s Land Army – the story of their Lumberjill colleagues has been all but forgotten, until now.

Women in Forestry, the Lumberjills’ Story is free to view at Grizedale Forest until 10 December. The fascinating history of the women and their crucial work supporting the war effort is engagingly told through photos, tools and artefacts.
The exhibition also includes a giant (12 square metre) photo mosaic created by the People’s Picture featuring over 2,000 publicly submitted photographs, past and present, of women from across the forestry sector and general public. This first of its kind celebratory image has been commissioned jointly by the Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research and will be on display for the length of the installation, as well as available to view online as a virtual interactive artwork at: thepeoplespicture.com/forestryengland

As well as celebrating the achievements of the past, the exhibition aims to inspire the next generation of women in forestry to expand, protect and improve our forests, woods and trees. Roles are available from apprenticeships to experienced positions through the Civil Service Jobs website.

For more information about the exhibition visit: Women in Forestry, The Lumberjills’ Story.

What’s your vision of a forester? Watch our new Women in Forestry video.

Dr Anna Brown - Director of Forest Services said:

Women are increasingly a key part of the Forestry workforce, and I love the fact that I am now able to support so many inspiring female leaders throughout the Forestry Commission.

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