SCOTLAND – The risks of using threatened species like western hemlock can be managed and mitigated, one of the UK’s leading forest scientists has said. Dr David Edwards made the comments as he outlined the reasoning behind a recent list of 28 productive species that foresters in Scotland are being recommended to consider. As well as western hemlock (susceptible to Phytophthora pluvialis), the Forest Research shortlist also included the likes of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Scots pine, and beech. …The Future Productive Species List was unveiled by Scottish Forestry last year, with similar exercises now underway in both England and Wales. Much like in Scotland, this will see each species measured against a range of indicators, including its future markets and seed supply. The work is being overseen by the new UK Forest Genetic Resources Group (UKFGR) – chaired by prominent forester Geraint Richards.