Scottish Woodlands Student Excellence Award announced

Her thesis “Adaptation of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) to climate change” was completed during 2013.

“I thank the Trust and Scottish Woodlands for this recognition and I am extremely happy to have been able to contribute to this important area of research,” said Ms Clark.

“The results highlighted the need to keep as broad a genetic base as possible in light of the likely impacts of climate change, but are also pertinent in the face of such problems as ash dieback and the other myriad diseases that are affecting many of our timber trees. I am really delighted that the work has been recognised.”

Commenting on the latest award, Guy Watt, chairman of The Scottish Forestry Trust said: “Trustees were particularly impressed by the quality of the final thesis and by the practical relevance of the findings. Since Jo’s work started, the outlook for ash has become particularly precarious and her work has helped to identify some practical steps to help to build greater resilience into ash populations to aid adaptation to future climate change impacts.”

Ms Clark is now leading the Defra-funded Living Ash Project, which will identify trees tolerant of Chalara, with the aim of bringing together sufficient stock to start a new breeding programme.