Tree Production Innovation Fund: successful projects 2022
Published 1 December 2022
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tree-production-innovation-fund-successful-projects-2022/tree-production-innovation-fund-successful-projects-2022
Read about some of the successful applicants in our Tree Production Innovation Fund.
Rhizocore Technologies Ltd
Project title: Improving the growth, health and resiliency of forests through the use of locally sourced mycorrhizal fungi
Project description
Assessing how different ectomycorrhizal species enhance tree growth, sapling survival and carbon sequestration in newly planted woodlands. The project will also generate data on efficacy of different mycorrhizal species in different soil types and their effect on aiding establishment of multiple tree species.
Maelor Forest Nurseries
Project title: Cryopreservation of elite cell lines to increase genetic diversity in forests
Project description
Developing a cryopreservation process for the long-term storage of cell lines and determining recovery rate and genetic fidelity of stored cell lines using next generation DNA technologies. The project aims to form a living library, which would underpin future breeding programmes.
University of Lincoln
Project title: Intelligent Singulating and Labelling of Developing trees Using Robotics (ISILDUR)
Project description
Addressing endemic labour shortages in the forest nursery sector by developing an intelligent robotics solution focussed on plant processing tasks. In partnership with J&A Growers, the project will involve the design and prototype demonstration of a novel 2-robot solution. Flexible robotic manipulation combined with intelligent machine vision will be used to develop a system capable of performing singulating, grading, counting and packaging.
The Conifer Breeding Coop
Project title: Injecting diversity and quality assurance into alternative conifers
Project description
Diversifying, improving and assuring the quality of Douglas fir and Norway spruce genetic resources to consolidate the seed supply and enable resilience to changing conditions. The project will create full breeding populations of Norway spruce and Douglas fir from UK FRM, create a platform for future quality and diversity selection through DNA analysis, and analyse existing Douglas fir trial data.
University of Warwick
Project title: Smart Tree-Production System (STPS)
Project description
A collaboration between University of Warwick and a consortium of growers to develop a smart, automated production system for the singulation, grading, counting, and packaging of bare-root tree seedlings. The project aims to develop a system capable of improving process productivity by at least 100% relative to the current manual process and achieving at least a 50% reduction in the need for seasonal labour.
University of Nottingham
Project title: Tree Cutting Ps and Qs: propagation quality and production quantity
Project description
Creating new optimised protocols for cutting propagation of Ash and Oaks. The project will use new knowledge on the use of auxin for optimal rooting to develop timed-release capsules and will trial new mycorrhizal fungi treatment to improve propagation success.
Future Trees Trust
Project title: Supersizing Broadleaves
Project description
Maximising the potential of broadleaves to establish quickly. The project will use genetically diverse seed selected for high growth and form and explore different nursery protocols and silvicultural interventions compared to standard practice. Research will involve field trials and will be guided by a literature review.
Coventry University
Project title: Growing connections: innovations in community nursery tree production
Project description
This project studies the valuable contribution that innovative community tree nurseries make to the diversity of quality tree stocks available for planting projects locally, and with stakeholder involvement will develop ‘how-to’ and best practice resources to strengthen community nurseries’ contribution to the tree production sector nationally.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Elsoms Seeds Ltd; Elsoms Trees Ltd.
Project title: Seed traits for tree production: science-led innovation in the screening and germination of native tree seed
Project description
This project combines research, technical development, and cross-sectoral collaboration and outreach to investigate seed morphological and germination traits in UK native trees. RBG Kew will seek to understand how these traits vary between wild populations and commercial seed batches, explore how this variation relates to environmental conditions and apply this knowledge to support ‘climate-smart’ seed sourcing and optimise seed quality and germinability via innovative high-throughput screening techniques.
University Centre Myerscough
Project title: Improving efficiency and resilience of water management in tree nurseries
Project description
Developing an Internet of Things infrastructure (physical and digital) to monitor real-time tree water use and support irrigation protocols. Novel evidence-based models and decision-support tools will be deployed to enable managers to predict and manage field-scale tree water use.
RSK ADAS Ltd
Project title: Efficient and sustainable peat-free tree production
Project description
Developing and testing prototype peat-free growing media blends for use in automated containerised tree propagation. The project will evaluate both miniplug to bare root and miniplug to root training cell options using Douglas fir and Sitka spruce, creating substrates that offer plant support and mechanical handling capabilities.
SAF Woodland Management
Project title: Living Soil - from seed to established woodland
Project description
Developing microbially beneficial compost as part of a holistic nutrition programme for tree nurseries. This ‘living soil’ will mimic the functional aspects of a healthy woodland environment to vastly improve stock quality, performance, and cost-benefits. Gathering scientific data and acquiring necessary certification through the project will enable the forest industry to adopt the approach with confidence.
SilviBio
Project title: PeatNoMore: Improving peat-free media for cell-grown tree production
Project description
Improving peat-free media using a biobased moisture- and nutrient-retaining additive. The project will involve laboratory, glasshouse and forest nursery trials to test its effect on seedling quality, required irrigation frequency, and fertiliser leaching in mini-cell and cell (18 month) production.