Using #GairWood as a living laboratory, this PhD project will shed light on the above questions - follow the link for more information and to find out how to apply:

yes-dtn.ac.uk/research/dev...

Applications open 17th Nov 2025, closing date 7th Jan 2026. 💻

Including, how do these tree mixtures affect:
- the initial survival and growth of the trees 📏
- the greenhouse gas balance of the trees and their surrounding soil 📊
- the microclimate they create 🌡️
- how the microbial community in the soil changes as the trees establish 🦠

Where trees are directly planted, diverse species mixtures are increasingly being used to maximise resilience of the overall woodland to pests, diseases and climate change - but there's lots of detail that we don't yet fully understand.

The climate and biodiversity crises have driven global, national and regional targets to restore landscapes and create woodlands 🌳 In the UK, new woodlands are being established in a range of ways from direct planting through to approaches that allow trees to regenerate naturally 🌱

To sign up, or register to receive information about future related events, please fill in the form below and we'll be in touch with more information: tinyurl.com/woodestablishment

The workshop will include a site tour of Gair Wood leaf.leeds.ac.uk/gairwood/, some short talks from speakers giving an overview of woodland creation and the challenges to establishment in the region, and a discussion session to identify future challenges and priorities.

The session on 14th July is open to anyone with a professional interest in woodland creation in the north of England - with a particular focus on stakeholders and forest practitioners in the @whiteroseforest.bsky.social area (West and North Yorkshire).