Forestry offers an abundance of diverse, technology-driven jobs that can combat climate change and biodiversity loss says SRUC’s Dr Hugh Morris, who believes Scotland has the potential to blaze a trail globally

AFTER giving a recent presentation to his colleagues at the Scottish Rural College about the science and career opportunities in forestry, Dr Hugh Morris was approached by the postdoctoral researcher who had hosted the seminar.

“She told me that until she heard the talk, she’d had no idea what forestry really was,” he explains.

“She’d imagined that it was just ‘guys with chainsaws, in an isolated Scandinavian wood surrounded by howling wolves….”

He pauses, smiling. “She was partly joking, of course, but that is often the perception,” he adds.

“We must change that, because the number of women coming on to our courses is very low – last year, we had just three out of 70 students, which is awful.

“Although there is a gender imbalance, many women in the sector have excelled and reached leadership roles, highlighting that there are career advancement opportunities throughout the industry.” 

Both forestry and arboriculture are recognised as professions with extremely high standards, delivering sustainable objectives and lifelong learning with competitive salaries in a diverse, rapidly growing sector, points out Dr Morris.

“Today’s forestry is hi-tech, with remote sensing technology and drones to optimise value-added Scottish timber,” he adds. “We deliver both drone courses and GIS at the Barony as HE short courses to provide CPD to advance the skills of workers in the industry.”

Dr Morris is senior lecturer and programme leader for forestry and arboriculture at the SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries, where students benefit from a wide range of facilities and equipment, including the Scottish Forest Industry Technology Centre (SFITC), a tree nursery and arboretum with access to specialist machinery such as a sawmill, simulators, drone technology and decay detection equipment.

The college offers a range of courses, from apprenticeships to HND level, spanning further and higher education. Dr Morris is currently preparing the groundwork for two new BSc Honours degrees in Forestry and Arboriculture.

Many of the courses on offer are run in partnership with organisations such as John Deere Forestry, Ponsse and Forest and Land Scotland.

(Image: Dr Hugh Morris from SRUC)

“We work closely with local businesses to ensure that we are teaching our students the skills that employers need,” says Dr Morris. “That’s partly why the Barony is such a special campus. We are very hands-on. We work hard not to lose touch with industry. 

“Our advanced courses are designed to build strong, theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills – you can be climbing trees one minute, and discussing the underpinning science of harvesting timber the next – and that is becoming ever more crucial in the industry.”

Forests and forestry have a key role to play in combatting the climate crisis and nature loss.

“Over the last 25 years, there has been a significant change in thinking about forestry, and the importance of trees in terms of carbon sequestration and enhancing biodiversity,” adds Dr Morris.

“The industry is changing and as a college, we must ensure our courses adapt and develop with it.”

He adds: “Forestry and arboriculture in Scotland employ around 25,000 people, across a diverse range of jobs. Raising awareness of the vast spectrum of careers available is vital if we are to boost student numbers and support the sector.”

Forestry and arboriculture require skilled people to maintain and manage forests, woodlands and trees in both rural and urban settings, and to provide education and training. 
The sector also offers careers in conservation, recreation and eco-tourism, as well as urban forestry and environmental and amenity woodland management.

Agroforestry, a land management system which combines agriculture and tree-planting, is also on the rise. Around 65 per cent of land in Scotland is farmland, with forestry accounting for just 18%. 

The target is to increase that to 25% by 2050, which is a huge challenge, says Dr Morris.

“There is a short planting season, and space is an issue,” he explains.

“However, even if just five per cent of agricultural land was given over to forestry, there would be a significant impact in terms of healthier soil, higher yields and enhancing biodiversity. There are sensitive discussions ahead, therefore, to bring farmers and foresters together, to promote biodiversity and carbon sequestration and the huge benefits those would bring.”
Change is happening, however, says Dr Morris.

“There are positive moves by Government to address biodiversity loss, and the need to increase the number of native tree species planted in Scotland, for example,” he says.

“It’s an exciting time for the Scottish Rural College, as we aim to recruit more students, establish stronger connections and collaborate with more stakeholders. 

“There are tough times ahead, but I do see a bright future for the industry.”
Dr Morris completed his PhD and postdoctoral studies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria,  and he has been at SRUC for a year and a half.

His passion for trees, however, stretches back to his childhood.

“My grandad and uncle were keen plantsmen – I remember my uncle teaching me the Latin names for plants when I was a child,” he says.

“I think working with trees and plants was a vocation for me. I spoke to a young high school student recently at our open day, who was very passionate about wanting to work in forestry conservation and management. 

“When I asked her why, she said it was because she loved to ride her mountain bike through the forest.”

He pauses. “It’s about that connection, that understanding of the value of trees,” he adds. 
“That can be the spark for a career.” 

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