non native trees

22 Jan 2024 10:09 #1 by Dave Emley
non native trees was created by Dave Emley
Just wondering what folks are doing regarding non native trees eg forestry trees like Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir etc. I know it’s “my  list my rules” but do you only count self-seeded trees?

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23 Jan 2024 22:01 #2 by Seth Gibson
Replied by Seth Gibson on topic non native trees
Personally I don't count trees that have been planted (non-native or otherwise) whether that be a forestry plantation, amenity trees in parklands or planted trees in gardens. In fact I wouldn't count any plant at all if I know it was planted. But I do count self-seeded trees such as Sitka, Lodgepole Pine, various larches etc. I live on Skye and Sitka is (very worryingly) one of the commonest trees I see across the landscape. The original plantations have often been harvested, but the seedlings survive very well and many are now of cone-bearing age and so the process repeats. Same goes for introduced Scots Pine which, along with the non-native Lodgepole Pine, make up the remaining bulk of conifers I encounter on here on Skye. All completely wild, established, reproducing and hence countable.

I have also spent time wandering through old arboretums in Surrey and Hampshire, specifically searching for 'tickable' self-seeded non-native ornamentals. It's a bit daft I suppose, but good fun trying to key through an unfamiliar conifer.

Full disclosure, I'll happily count any plant that has successfully jumped the garden/arboretum fence, so my rules are probably looser than those of some other listers here. 

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24 Jan 2024 22:17 #3 by Colin Piper
Replied by Colin Piper on topic non native trees
I live in Sussex and we have a relatively recently published county flora. Basically, I go by what they say. If it's a specimen that has obviously been planted and shows no sign of becoming established or self-seeding then no. If it is clearly self-sustaining then yes.

Colin Piper

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