DETR Arboricultural Research

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) encourages and funds Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) research in support of its responsibilities. The Department's Countryside Research Programme is designed to support Government's policy objectives of enhancing opportunity in rural areas, improving enjoyment of the countryside and conserving and managing wildlife resources. The annual budget for this programme is around £1.8 million. The overall objective of the programme is to ensure that countryside and wildlife policies are based on the best scientific evidence available. 

• Arboricultural Research & Communications. To disseminate information and promote best practice in amenity tree planting and management to secure best value for public monies. Contractor: Tree Advice Trust - Completion Date: 30/11/00
• Review of Root Form and Function and Response to Damage.  To assemble existing knowledge on tree roots and their interaction with soil, man-made structures and objects in light of concern over the effects of trenching by utility services. In an advanced stage of the tendering process.
• Red Rose Woodland Survey.  To conduct a survey of the woodlands in the Red Rose Forest area as part of a larger scheme to encourage work to assess the extent, and the potential for sustainable utilisation, of the timber resource in the Red Rose Forest. Contractor: Salford City Council - Completion Date: 31/07/00.
• Tree Pruning and its Effect on Soil Structure.  To investigate the relationship between pruning trees, the subsequent effect on water uptake and the shrinkage potentials of soils. This will assist in specifying appropriate action for trees implicated in alleged, or potential subsidence damage and lead to more credible, and better practice of, risk assessment and tree management. In an advanced stage of the tendering process.
• Uptake of Particulates by Trees: A Mechanism for Improving Urban Air Quality. To quantify the role that urban woodlands play in improving urban air quality. To determine the capture efficiency of contrasting urban tree species for PM₁₀s at concentrations likely to exist at urban conurbation's across the UK. To provide improved measurements to ascertain the best design for urban planting to reduce particulate concentrations and the area over which such benefits are significant. To produce a model which will be of use to urban planners in quantifying the most effective tree planting schemes for maximising particulate uptake in urban areas.

• Guidance on Urban Tree Strategies.
• Use of Non-native Wildflower Seed: Effects on Biodiversity.

• Review of introduced species.  To review the status of introduced species covered by AEWA and to review introduced species (flora and fauna) in the UK and assess their impact on native species.
• Guidance on the Preparation of Urban Tree Strategies. This project is identifying all the elements and issues involved in preparing a strategy and producing a practical "how to" guide, in clear and simple terms so that it is capable of being used by other organisations as well as Local Authorities. (Discontinued).
• Use of Non-native Wildflower Seed: Effects on Biodiversity. This project aims to review the evidence and prepare reasoned answers on the following questions to provide the basis for an objective policy position: What is the extent of inter-breeding between native wildflowers and non-native varieties or species introduced in seed mixtures? To what extent have non-native varieties and species established themselves where they have been planted, and are they spreading into other habitats? What ecological changes are known to have occurred following the introduction of non-native varieties and species? Does the introduction of non-native genetic variation matter ecologically, and what implications does this have for the conservation of UK biodiversity? (Discontinued).
• Tree Pruning and its Effect on Soil Structure.  Quantify the effect of selected pruning operations on the water uptake of trees, developing a model to assist in making decisions on tree management where trees and structures are in close proximity, by relating this information to the shrinkage potentials of clay soils. Identify options for remedial action where trees are implicated in claims for subsidence damage to structures. Report on the findings of the project and identify specific developments where further research is required to apply and advance the knowledge gained from the results.
• Review of Root Form and Function and Response to Damage.  To prepare a practical handbook, drawing together existing knowledge on tree roots and their interaction with soil, man-made structures and objects.