Inaugural Annual Lecture
Carried out by: Royal Scottish Forestry Society
Summary Description:
This lecture by Professor T C Smout is seen as a prestigious event to mark the naming of Scotland’s national tree, which is expected to be Scots pine. Professor Smout is acknowledged as the leading history authority on people and forestry in Scotland so the lecture should be entertaining and educational.
The lecture was held in the Budungo Lecture theatre, Edinburgh Zoo on Wednesday 19th March 2014
Timescale: March 2014
SFT Funds Awarded: £450
The talk presented the historical ebb and flow of Scots pine in this country due to changes in climate, vegetation changes especially development blanket bog, and man’s influence particularly due to farming and grazing by animals. The introduction of Scots pine from Continental Europe also eroded the native populations. Prof. Smout called for pro-actively extending those remnants of these ancient forests and planting new pine woods where we would like to have them. The talk was followed by a lively question and answer session.
Support for the event came from The Scottish Forestry Trust, The Royal Scottish Forestry Society, Forestry Commission Scotland and CGPM Consulting Ltd.
Prof Smout's article on his presentation is now available for download