Forestry and agriculture are often treated as separate industries, but many of the challenges we face are remarkably similar. In this talk, Bryony Hewetson Ward, Head of Plant and Seed Supply for Forestry and Land Scotland, explores how innovation, mechanisation and automation have shaped tree nursery production over the last century.
Using Newton Nursery in Moray as a case study, Bryony traces the evolution of tree growing from the pioneering machinery developed by Sandy Rose in the post-war years to the advanced glasshouse systems, automated transplanting technology and sensor-driven growing environments used today. The presentation highlights how technology is helping make better use of Scotland's valuable tree seed supply, improving productivity, consistency and sustainability while reducing reliance on scarce resources. Along the way, it demonstrates that whether you're growing a crop destined for harvest in months or a forest destined for harvest in decades, the underlying principles are often surprisingly familiar.
Bryony Hewetson Ward is Head of Plant and Seed Supply for Forestry and Land Scotland and is based at Newton Nursery in Moray. She leads the team responsible for securing and supplying the trees and seed required to establish and maintain Scotland's national forests, overseeing the earliest stages of the timber supply chain.
Her work spans seed sourcing, nursery production, innovation and supply planning, with responsibility for helping deliver the 20 to 25 million trees required annually for Forestry and Land Scotland's planting programmes. Bryony has been closely involved in the transformation of Newton Nursery and the adoption of new technologies that are helping to grow Scotland's future forests.
Zoom details are sent to members in advance of the talk - if you wish to join please contact Sarah at the Secretariat