Can I join?
Registration for the Trials 2023-2028 of MyGardenOfTrees will close on Feb 18 at 24:00 CET!
MyGardenOfTrees recruits
Private forest managers and forest owners can volunteer to establish a micro-garden in the forest that they manage and/or own. However, interested researchers, school teachers, or citizens may also join the project if they obtain relevant authorization from the forest owners/managers. Read this page and the what to expect page carefully. Then, see steps to join to inform us of your intention to participate.
Research institutes, academia as well as national and regional forest services are welcome to join us as organisations. We will personally discuss with you the typology of trials that best suits you before you decide to join us. Get in touch via info@mygardenoftrees.eu!
Why join MyGardenOfTrees?
Take part in Europe's first and largest "distributed provenance trial".
Receive quality seeds from two species and a wide range of provenances, including some exotic locations, such as the Caucasus and Iran.
Join a community of foresters who are concerned about the future of their forests and willing to work together towards a solution for more climate-resilient forests.
Receive regular updates about the scientific work behind MyGardenOfTrees and have the chance to contribute to it.
Gain access to the prediction tool that MyGardenOfTrees will develop to guide the optimal choice of provenances for any location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take part of the project if my country is not part of the EU?
Yes, you can. If your country is not part of the EU we might need some extra documents to be able to export the seeds to you (e.g. a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Swiss Plant Health autorithies). However, requirements might change from country to country. Please help us understand what are the specific requirements for importing dry seeds in your country!
My region is outside the species natural distribution range. Can I set up a trial?
Yes, you can. It is not an issue to establish the trial outside the species range. We are interested in exposing the species and provenances to novel or close-to-novel conditions and understand how these conditions affect their growth. Due to climate change, species ranges are already shifting and it is important to study how these species will adapt to the new environment.
Can I sow the seeds in spring?
No. We are sending participants dry seeds that have not been pre-treated. This means that seeds have to go through winter conditions to break dormancy and to be able to germinate in spring. This process is called natural stratification.
Will I be compensated for setting up a trial in my country?
Participants are in fact volunteers and there is no financial compensation for setting up a trial. Participants will have access to the scientific outputs of MyGardenOfTrees and in particular to the prediction tool aimed at facilitating provenance selection depending on site condition. The tool will be designed using the data produced by participants' experiment over a 5 years duration.
If I set up a trial, can I become co-author of your publications?
Participation to the trials does not automatically give authorship rights. If you wish to collaborate with us on the analysis and publication of data, let us know by contacting us on info@mygardenoftrees.eu
Beware!
Our trials are part of a scientific study to understand the performance of different species and provenances across Europe and to develop a prediction tool. Because of this, please keep in mind that:
1. You will not be able to choose the seeds you receive.
2. We will send you cages for protection against seed predation and to ensure that the seeds are not dispersed elsewhere in the forest.
3. At the end of the experiment (in 5 years), you will be asked to return to us the above-ground biomass of each seedling or a sample of it.
Our goal is that in 5 years your forest site will be in the same condition as it is today.
MyGardenOfTrees is compliant with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and in particular the Nagoya Protocol (see Glossary) concerning access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their utilization (ABS).