Observatree Blog

Blog

Observatree Pest and Disease Review 2024

Charles Lane and Rowan Howe from Fera Science Limited take us through Observatree's annual pest & disease review and discuss some new potential priorities going forward. 

Charles Lane  •  03 Jul 2025

Blog

Host of the month - Beech

Matt Parratt highlights Beech (Fagus sylvatica), its associated Beech leaf disease (BLD) and how to spot it.

Matt Parratt  •  19 Jun 2025

Blog

Observatree Visit to Shibden Hall Park

Charles Lane reflects on a recent Observatree visit to Shibden Hall Park. 

Charles Lane  •  29 May 2025

Blog

Observatree Visit to Rosliston Forestry Centre

Charles Lane reflects on a recent Observatree visit to the Rosliston Forestry Centre. 

Charles Lane  •  28 May 2025

Blog

Host of the month - Elm

For this month's host tree of interest, Matt Parratt focusses on Elm (Ulmus species) and Elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda).

Matt Parratt  •  15 May 2025

Blog

Plane Lace Bug: A Delicate Micro Menace Concealed in the City

On the 25^th of July 2024, a public observation was made on iNaturalist of an interesting tiny bug found on someone’s bag in central London. A scientist from Defra spotted the report and gathered more information from the informer, believing it to be a specimen of the plane lace bug (Corythucha ciliata) due to its lace-like appearance and the location of the find in central London, where London plane trees abound. 

Amirah Nigoumi  •  30 Apr 2025

Blog

Canker Stain of Plane Trees: A Silent Legacy of World War II

Canker stain of plane (caused by the fungus Ceratocystis platani) may be a rather obscure pathogen to most, but its story intertwines with one of history’s most turbulent chapters: World War II.

Duncan Allen  •  29 Apr 2025

Blog

Host of the month - Cedar

This month Matt Parratt takes a look at Cedars and Sirococcus blight.

Matt Parratt  •  17 Apr 2025

Blog

Host of the month - Oak

Matt Parratt discusses Oak (Quercus species) and Acute oak decline. 

Matt Parratt  •  20 Mar 2025

Blog

Observatree volunteer’s role in helping to develop the new TreeAlert Report Dashboard

TreeAlert's system manager Lucy Turner explains the helpful role that our Observatree volunteer's play in developing the TreeAlert system, most recently with the new Report Dashboard. 

Lucy Turner  •  27 Feb 2025