Tree Science and Conservation

Explore resources related to tree research and the conservation of threatened trees.

Tree-focused research and conservation are core to the collective mission of arboreta worldwide. Arboreta can contribute to advancing knowledge, protecting biodiversity, and preparing for a rapidly changing climate.

ArbNet gathers essential resources to support both new and experienced institutions in entering and expanding their work in conservation and tree science.

Find guidance on in situ and ex situ conservation strategies, learn about seed collection and plant propagation, explore biodiversity databases, discover funding sources, and learn from real-world examples from the arboretum community.

Conservation Organizations and Initiatives

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF)

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)

Global Conservation Consortia

Capacity for Conservation (BirdLife International; Fauna & Flora): Online organizational self-assessment

Center for Plant Conservation (CPC)

Center for Plant Conservation: Rare Plant Academy (CPC)

The Morton Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science (CTS)

The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI)

Fauna & Flora International (FFI)

Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme (PCCP)

International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Plant Collections Network (PCN)

Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA)

Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES)

In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation Tools

Botanic Gardens Conservation International’s Online Training Platform: Tree conservation training modules

Guidelines for Establishing and Managing an Oak Metacollection Site (Global Conservation Consortia)

Chiang Mai University, Forest Restoration Research Unit Resources

Propagation Manual for Mexican and Central American Oaks (Spanish)

Adaptation Workbook: Climate change tool for land management and conservation

Building Living Plant Collections to Support Conservation: A Guide for Public Gardens (Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Montgomery Botanical Center)

Red Listing E-Learning Modules (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Center for Plant Conservation Poster, “Conserving Genetic Diversity Ex Situ: Updates on Practical Advice” (Hoban et al., 2020)

Conservation Practices—Key Terms

Seedlot Selection Tool

What to do when we can’t bank on seeds: What botanic gardens can learn from the zoo community about conserving plants in living collections (American Journal of Botany)

Integrated Conservation of Tree Species by Botanic Gardens: A Reference Manual (Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Oldfield & Newton, 2012)

Strengthening the Conservation Value of Ex Situ Tree Collections (Cavender et al., 2015, in Oryx)

Cycads: A Model Group for Ex Situ Plant Conservation (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Manual for Rapid Botanic Survey (RBS) (Oxford University Herbarium)

Field Techniques Used by Missouri Botanical Garden (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Species Survival Commission Guidelines on the use of Ex Situ Management for Species Conservation (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Rapidly identify and analyze areas primed for forest landscape restoration

PRE Pairing for Success: Emerging Invasives, Contentious Cultivars, and Common Ground
(American Public Gardens Association Conference, 2017)

Gap Analysis to Support Ex situ Collections Development (American Public Gardens Association Conference, 2018)

Biodiversity and Conservation (Attribute of the Public Gardens Sustainability Index) (American Public Gardens Association)

W orking List of Commercial Timber Tree Species: To encourage further research and assessment (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Forest Restoration Learning Modules (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

The Global Biodiversity Standard: Manual for Assessment and Best Practices: Assessment methodology for evaluating and certifying global restoration projects (Society for Ecological Restoration and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 2024)

Seed Collecting and Plant Propagation

Propagation Manual for Mexican and Central American Oaks (Spanish)

Seedlot Selection Tool

Tropical Nursery Manual (U.S. Dept. Agriculture)

Hardwood Nursery Guide

National Nursery and Seed Directory (U.S. Forest Service Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic Resources Unit)

Seed Conservation Hub—Training and Resources (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Seed Conservation Directory of Expertise (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Global Seed Conservation Challenge Learning Module Quizzes (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)

Your Garden’s Impact for Research: Uses, Tracking, and Getting Credit (American Public Gardens Association Conference, June 2019)

Breeding and Restoring American Elm Webinar (U.S. Forest Service; American Public Gardens Association, 2019)

Entering into Science and Conservation

Small Gardens in Research—Tips & Resources (2025 American Public Gardens Association Annual Conference): Presentation handout

Center for Plant Conservation’s Rare Plant Academy: Free public resources for those seeking to learn the science of rare plant stewardship

Applied Plant Conservation Course: Free online professional development course for current and future botanical practitioners on the best practices of rare plant stewardship and conservation