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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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Host of the month - Pine

Matt Parratt discusses the different types of Pine (Pinus) and Dothistroma needle blight (DNB). 

Matt Parratt  •  15 Jul 2024

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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

No sting in this tale

Find out about how Observatree volunteer, Amanda, made a big difference to the UK's oriental chestnut gall wasp outbreak response.  

Amanda Yorweth  •  23 Jul 2015

Blog

Oriental chestnut gall wasp – an update

What has happened with OCGW in the UK since it was first found in 2015?

Chris Malumphy  •  27 Jun 2018

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Host of the Month - Sweet Chestnut

Matt Parratt, Observatree Scientific Coordinator, looks at sweet chestnut, Oriental chestnut gall wasp and sweet chestnut blight.

Matt Parratt  •  07 Nov 2023

Blog

Canker Stain of Plane

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

Alex Lewis  •  01 May 2024

Blog

Out with the old and in with the new: Welcome to Observatree

In 2017, Observatree produced more educational resources, ran successful media campaigns, trained stakeholders and volunteers across the county, attended events, held a volunteer celebration event and hosted a conference.

Peter Crow  •  07 Jan 2018