At least 8,000 of the world's tree species are threatened with extinction. These species face a number of threats, occupy a range of ecological niches, and vary in their capacity to tolerate and adapt to environmental change. As a result, conservation action for threatened trees often involves the use of specific techniques tailored to the needs of individual species. These techniques range from species identification (necessary to support monitoring and protection of wild populations) to species-specific methods for propagation and planting (necessary to support the recovery of small populations).

Techniques for tree conservation are used regularly by many organizations and individuals, ranging from botanic gardens to people with traditional ecological knowledge. However, these same skills are often lacking among other sections of the conservation community, including many with the opportunity to implement tree conservation. For example, in 2010 a survey of 63 nature reserves in southern China (a priority area for tree conservation) found that 80% of these reserves had little or no knowledge of their threatened trees or how to protect them. In Brazil's Araucaria forest lack of knowledge of the propagation requirements of threatened species has limited their inclusion in restoration projects. Of all the threatened species in this ecosystem only 17% have been grown by state nurseries.

The Global Trees Campaign, a joint initiative between Fauna & Flora International and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, is implementing a number of approaches to meet the technical capacity needs of individuals and organizations working for tree conservation. In 2013 290 people involved in protected areas or other land management in Belize, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and Saint Lucia received training in a variety of technical skills. In China training has been complemented by a programme of cross-sectoral knowledge exchange between academic institutions, botanic gardens, forestry departments, NGOs and nature reserves, as well as peer-to-peer learning between reserves. The capacity-building programme in China has provided support to 35 nature reserves, helping them to deliver improved conservation action for more than 25 threatened tree species.

To complement the work carried out through projects the Global Trees Campaign has launched a series of technical guidance briefs promoting best practice for tree conservation. Each brief covers a different core skill for tree conservation and has been tailored to meet the needs of non-specialists (people with some experience in conservation but with limited knowledge and experience in botany, forestry or horticulture). The first series of nine briefs is available at www.globaltrees.org/resources/practical-guidance and contains guidance on carrying out tree surveys, botanical identification, monitoring, nursery management, seed collection, seed processing and storage, germination and seedling growth, germination experiments, and tree planting.

Briefs will be translated into a number of languages during 2014–2015, making them accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Because these briefs represent an introduction to tree conservation techniques, links to sources of further guidance are included. Users are encouraged to adapt the guidance to local circumstances and to approach local experts or the Global Trees Campaign for additional advice. Feedback on the briefs is welcomed (please address to david.gill@fauna-flora.org).