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Blog

Observatree adapts for Covid-19

As a project, the impact of Covid-19 in 2020 prevented the yearly hands-on Observatree training events for our volunteers and a switch to digital communications has helped tremendously.

Rebecca Gosling  •  27 Jul 2021

Blog

Join the Observatree Adventure

We are recruiting volunteers! Observatree Officer, Vicky Bolton, gives us an insight into what life for a new Observatree volunteer is like. 

Vicky Bolton  •  05 Feb 2026

Blog

Negative data is good!

One of the key messages we give Observatree volunteers is that you don’t have to find something to make a survey worthwhile or valuable.

Ellie Barham  •  08 Mar 2017

Blog

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

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 - 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

It’s full steam ahead for Observatree in 2022

Observatree has now been in operation for eight years; and during that time, our volunteers have submitted over 13,500 reports.

Peter Crow  •  21 Feb 2022

Blog

Host of the month - Pine

Observatree Scientific Coordinator Matt Parratt discusses Pines (Pinus) and Dothistroma needle blight (DNB). 

Matt Parratt  •  09 Jul 2025

Blog

Canker Stain of Plane

A summary of the damage caused by Canker Stain of Plane.

Alex Lewis  •  01 May 2024