Rob worked on sweet chestnut

Rob worked for many years for the National Trust, which ignited an interest in the origins and conservation importance of the sweet chestnut tree Castanea sativa in the UK. In an innovative multiproxy approach, Rob spent his PhD investigating the origin of sweet chestnut in the UK through genetic studies, dendrochronology (tree rings), palaeoecology (pollen evidence) and historical ecology, including through use of place names.  

His aim was to determine when the species first arrived and where in Europe it came from – and who brought it with them and why. This research was time-critical to inform our response to chestnut blight disease, to ensure we had detailed knowledge of the genetics and the cultural significance of chestnut woods and trees in the UK before chestnut blight disease inevitably arrives from Europe.