Observatree Blog

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

Blog

Host of the month - Birch

This month Matt Parratt takes a look at Birch trees (Betula species) and their associated bronze birch borer.

Matt Parratt  •  20 Feb 2025

Blog

TreeAlert Demystified: What happens when you submit a report?

A question that the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service team are often asked is, ‘What happens when I send in a TreeAlert enquiry, how does it all work?’  Here, Chris Berman, entomology diagnostician at Forest Research, pulls back the curtain on what goes on behind the scenes!

Chris Berman  •  23 Jan 2025

Blog

Host of the month - Lawson cypress

This month Matt looks at at Lawson cypress (Cupressus lawsoniana) and its associated pathogen, Phytophthora lateralis.

Matt Parratt  •  22 Jan 2025

Blog

Host of the month - Spruce

For December, Matt Parratt looks at Spruce (Picea species) and the Great spruce bark beetle.

Matt Parratt  •  19 Dec 2024

Blog

Defining Tree Health

Matt Parratt offers an explanation of how to define tree health in the context of Observatree. 

Matt Parratt  •  21 Nov 2024