Communities and culture at the heart of ‘lost’ tree restoration 

New research from the University of St Andrews, Forest Research and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew  present new understandings on the restoration of ‘lost’ tree species.   

Elm leaves. Credit: Fritha West

Published today (5 December) in People and Nature, this research focuses on the loss of millions of elm trees, and ongoing efforts to bring them back. It emphasises that biological extinction is not the only form of ‘loss’. Functional traits and social or cultural connections also require restoration and regeneration but are often overlooked.   

However, this paper suggests these should be given greater consideration in restoration projects as they may impact the success of restoration efforts.  

Tree pests and pathogens are increasingly threatening trees, woodlands, and forests in Great Britain, as exemplified by both Dutch elm disease and ash dieback. Restoration of ash and elm is required to establish diverse, resilient treescapes.   

Illustration of Wych Elm: Madeleine Allison 

Despite suffering a significant decline in numbers from the 1960s onwards due to Dutch elm disease, elm can still be found throughout much of Britain. However, they are rarely found as the large, mature trees which people once relied upon for timber for ships, houses, furniture and transport.   

In many areas they now remain only as small, scrubby hedgerow or understory plants, and public understanding and connection to elm species is at an all-time low.   

There are exceptions to this, in refuge areas such as Brighton, which retains the National Elm Collection, and Assynt in the north of Scotland, where the disease has not yet reached. Many methods have been and are being developed to restore these important tree species, but all rely on re-establishing socio-cultural connections.   

First Author of the paper,  Fritha West,  from the School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews and the  Centre for Forest Protection,  said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that human intervention is necessary for the development of resistance to tree pests and pathogens. 

“Even when resistance does evolve naturally, how we manage our woodlands will dictate the success of those young trees. There are lots of options out there, but they all lead to different outcomes, and how people feel about them varies – so we need to start the conversation now.”  

Illustration: Madeleine Allison 

This paper is the first output from the  Centre for Forest Protection, a joint venture between RBG Kew and Forest Research funded, and managed by Defra. It’s part of a wider project which is mapping social values, attitudes and practices to inform effective ecological and cultural restoration of ‘lost’ tree species across Great Britain. 

The paper suggests there are social and cultural considerations for different elm management options, which should be given greater consideration in restoration projects as these may impact the success of restoration efforts.  

Prof Richard Buggs, academic at Queen Mary, University of London and Senior Research Leader at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, said: “As we conduct natural science research on the restoration of elm, Fritha’s work on the social and cultural context is invaluable. Without considering these wider issues our best efforts are doomed to failure. Her research helps to steer us towards solutions that are feasible socially as well as scientifically.”  

Dr Mariella Marzano, Principal Social Scientist with Forest Research, said: “Understanding the perspectives of multiple actors on how trees impacted by pests and diseases can be restored in the landscape, or even whether this is possible and desired, is crucial to inform research and policy on the future resilience of our most treasured tree species.”  

ENDS