Kevin Frediani
Trees are foundational members of our ecosystems. Each one, from expansive open-grown oaks to tightly clustered urban lindens, holds a unique role in connecting biodiversity, culture and landscape.
As hosts and homes, trees support life in countless ways; they are pivotal to local ecosystems and human narratives. When a single tree is lost, the ripple effect can disturb the lives of countless species, as an ecological cascade can potentially unravel, illustrating how deeply integrated these quiet giants are in the web of life. For many of us, trees are cherished landmarks – a symbol of place and history, often bridging our connection to nature.
Trees in diverse landscapes
Trees thrive across a wide range of environments – open fields, urban avenues and community gardens alike – each setting showing how they adapt and evolve. Although we find trees in these diverse landscapes, historically the study and teaching of tree ecology has focused mainly on woodlands and forests, inadvertently sidelining the importance of individual trees that are growing outside these culturally defined zones. These solitary trees, we argue, are just as integral to understanding ecosystem dynamics. They reveal the adaptive resilience of trees, showcasing how they respond to both natural and human-induced change. Our understanding of individual tree ecology to date has therefore been somewhat limited, but we can unlock vital insights into tree resilience and ecosystem health by shifting focus to these single trees while also retaining our understanding of populations of trees in stands and compartments elsewhere.
Conserving landscape diversity with trees
Conservation has increasingly recognised the importance of maintaining both native trees and selectively introducing resilient non-native species, particularly in urban areas facing climate stress. Botanic gardens and arboretums serve as ‘living labs’ where new species can be trialled, offering opportunities to enhance resilience in future urban forests. While these efforts help prepare us for a changing climate, they also pose challenges, like balancing the preservation of native species in established habitats with the benefits of introducing diverse genetics to establish new novel ecosystems which are better adapted to the urban heat islands that our cities create. In rural landscapes, the movement includes supporting species that can adapt to climate shifts, though success in translocating trees is still uncertain. As we venture further into these approaches, identifying what tools are available, and when they are appropriate to enable species to flourish in the long-term, has become essential.
Adapting our approach to conservation
In an era of environmental unpredictability, conservation professionals are finding innovative, adaptive solutions. From engaging communities to integrating trees into urban planning, we are making space for these natural monuments in our everyday lives. Trees in varied landscapes – open parklands, historic estates and city streets – link the past to the future. Understanding the ecology of individual trees requires us to move beyond the received academic models, recognising the cultural significance of trees as much as their ecological role.
Innovation and the future of tree ecology
As we look forward, embracing the diversity of tree habitats and the richness they bring to our landscapes becomes crucial. By connecting modern ecological practices with traditional knowledge, we can cultivate a landscape that fosters resilience and embraces change. This way, the trees in our surroundings can continue to provide essential ecosystem services, from carbon storage to habitat creation. In cities, this might mean reevaluating which species are best suited to withstand urban challenges, while rural landscapes benefit from practices that ensure ancient trees can continue to thrive and support younger generations.
In this evolving field of tree ecology, I invite you to join the journey of creating a handbook that champions individual trees as more than just background greenery.
From rural landscapes to urban centres, each tree contributes uniquely to the ecological and cultural fabric of our world. Let’s shape a future where trees flourish across all landscapes, celebrated and protected for generations to come.
Hopetoun House field maple, Scotland, as featured in The Queen’s Green Canopy book. (Chris Knapman)
An urban plane in Vienna. (Kevin Frediani)
Help shape our vision
To contribute to this important work, I’d love to hear from you. Consider the questions below and send your thoughts to kfrediani001@dundee.ac.uk. Together, we can help guide the book on tree ecology and expand our collective understanding of the crucial roles trees play.
- What sparked your interest in tree ecology?
- Have you had a memorable experience in tree conservation?
- What challenges have you faced in tree conservation work?
- How do you incorporate ecological principles into your work with trees?
- Are there innovative techniques you’ve found effective in managing tree health?
- How do you see trees evolving in the face of urbanisation and climate change?
- What advice would you give to landowners wanting to improve their land’s ecological health?
- What are the most critical areas for future research in tree ecology?
- How can professionals stay updated on the latest in tree ecology?
Let’s celebrate the resilience of trees in diverse landscapes, support inclusive practices in tree conservation and ensure trees continue to enrich our shared environment for generations to come.
My thanks to Jill Butler, Ted Green, Chris Knapman and Drs Duncan Slater and Harry Watkins for stimulating discussions around tree ecology and the need for a book to help explore this topic further.
Selected works that explore this topic further
Bellis, J. M., Maschinski, J., Bonnin, N., Bielby, J., & Dalrymple, S. E. (2024). Climate change threatens the future viability of translocated populations. Diversity and Distributions 30(2), e13795.
Brown, C. H. (1977). Folk botanical life-forms: Their universality and growth. American Anthropologist 79(2), 317–342. www.jstor.org/stable/673843
Butler, J., Green, T., & Alexander, K. (2013). Collections of ancient trees: hotspotting biodiversity, heritage and landscape value. In I. D. Rotherham, C. Handley, M. Agnoletti & T. Samojlik (Eds), Trees Beyond the Wood (p.71). Wildtrack Publishing.
Campbell, L. K., Svendsen, E. S., Johnson, M. L., & Plitt, S. (2022). Not by trees alone: Centering community in urban forestry. Landscape and Urban Planning 224, 104445.
Cornell, S. (2011). The rise and rise of ecosystem services: Is ‘value’ the best bridging concept between society and the natural world? Procedia Environmental Sciences 6(0), 88–95.
Díaz, S. M., Settele, J., Brondízio, E., Ngo, H., Guèze, M., Agard, J., Arneth, A., Balvanera, P., Brauman, K., Butchart, S., & Chan, K. (2019). The global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services: Summary for policy makers. Bonn.
Ennos, R., Cottrell, J., Hall, J., & O’Brien, D. (2019). Is the introduction of novel exotic forest tree species a rational response to rapid environmental change? A British perspective. Forest Ecology and Management 432, 718–728.
Farinha-Marques, P., Lameiras, J. M., Fernandes, C., Silva, S., & Guilherme, F. (2011). Urban biodiversity: a review of current concepts and contributions to multidisciplinary approaches. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research 24(3), 247–271.
Fay, N. (2002). Environmental arboriculture, tree ecology and veteran tree management. Arboricultural Journal 26(3), 213–238. doi.org/10.1080/03071375.2002.9747336
Franklin, J. F., Shugart, H. H., & Harmon, M. E. (1987). Tree death as an ecological process. BioScience 37(8), 550–556.
Goodwin, C., Keep, B., & Leather, S. R. (2017). Habitat richness and tree species richness of roundabouts: effects on site selection and the prevalence of arboreal caterpillars. Urban Ecosystems 20, 889–895.
Hilbert, D. R., Roman, L. A., Koeser, A. K., Vogt, J., & van Doorn, N. S. (2019). Urban tree mortality: A literature review. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 45(5), 167–200.
This article was taken from Issue 208 Spring 2025 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.