Starting a Scottish seed orchard

Aspen is not easy to propagate because it rather rarely sets seed in the wild. As a result, very few local origin Aspen trees are planted in Scotland. However, it may be possible to induce flowering in controlled conditions. A number of organisations are working together to set up a seed orchard which will supply seed from all regions in Scotland. The project is being led by Highland Aspen Group and Scottish Native Woods. Funding is being provided by many organisations including Cairngorms National Park, Forestry Commission, LEADER and Scottish Natural Heritage. Forest Research is giving technical advice and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has made a site available at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig for the tree nursery. RZSS are also helping to erect a new polytunnel at Kincraig and to propagate many Aspen clones. Roots have been collected from Aspen trees throughout Scotland, and young trees are being propagated from root suckers by the horticulturalists at Edinburgh Zoo (see picture above). Groups such as Highland Aspen Group and Trees for Life currently grow less than 10,000 Aspen trees per year by vegetative propagation. Commercial nurseries in Scotland mainly grow Aspen on contract or when wild seed is available. When the seed orchard comes into production, we hope to increase production of Scottish Aspen at least a hundred-fold!