Observatree Blog

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Observatree at Ladybower Reservoir

Exploring the ancient woodlands of Ladybower Reservoir, with Midlands based Observatree volunteers.

Charles Lane  •  06 Jul 2023

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Observatree 2022 breaks all records!

Throughout the year, Observatree volunteers submitted 4899 tree health reports. Our best year to date. Not only that, volunteers also submitted the most pest and disease reports, they surveyed the most tree species in a single year and monitored the most sentinel trees.

Rebecca Gosling  •  21 Mar 2023

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Visit to Sheffield Park by South East and London Volunteers

Lead Observatree Volunteers, Ben and Richard arranged a winter activity for the south east region to enable volunteers to meet up and socialise, exchange knowledge and experiences whilst out on site.

Ben Hamlin  •  07 Mar 2023

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2022: a year in review for Observatree

New volunteers, new collaborations and renewed activity: 2022 was another great year for Observatree.

Peter Crow  •  25 Jan 2023

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BGCI and the IPSN: Botanic gardens in the fight against invasive plant threats

Miles Kitching looks at how Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN) have been working together to tackle threats to plant biodiversity

Miles Kitching  •  31 Oct 2022

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Observatree attends the world’s first International Plant Health Conference

Colleagues from across the Observatree partnership, attended the world’s first International Plant Health Conference. Peter Crow, Observatree’s Project Manager, reflects on some of the conference’s key messages around the current and future global plant health challenges.

Peter Crow  •  17 Oct 2022

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Beech Leaf Disease

A new disease of beech trees (Fagus spp.) named ‘Beech leaf disease’ (BLD) is spreading through forest areas in eastern USA and Canada. Charles Lane and Tom Prior discuss the threat posed to UK woods. 

Tom Prior  •  14 Jul 2022

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Investing in tree health

At the start of this year, scientists at Forest Research moved into their new state-of-the-art tree health laboratories at Alice Holt in southern England. This new £5.8 million quarantine facility represents a significant expansion of the UK’s capacity to combat tree pests and diseases – threats which continue to emerge due to climate change and globalisation.

Dr Gerard Clover  •  24 May 2022

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Volunteering to help our trees!

This Plant Health Week, Rebecca, our Observatree volunteer manager celebrates the achievements of our wonderful volunteers.

Rebecca Gosling  •  09 May 2022

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Oak Processionary Moth

Oak processionary moth (OPM) caterpillars are priority pests which target trees in the Quercus genus. They were accidentally introduced into England in 2005, but thanks to strict survey and control programme, they have not become established outside of the South of England.

Fritha West  •  18 Apr 2022