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Blog

Emerging pests and diseases and their suitability for citizen science surveillance

A review of new and emerging pests and diseases.

Charles Lane  •  01 May 2024

Blog

Observatree is a Constant in 2020

We could say that this year has been unusual, and we had to adapt to new ways. However, nothing has stopped Observatree volunteers keeping their eyes open and reporting pests and diseases to the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS). 

Ana Perez-Sierra  •  11 Feb 2021

Blog

Host of the month - Lawson cypress

Kicking off our host of the month initiative for 2026, Matt Parratt takes a look at Lawson cypress (Cupressus lawsoniana) and Phytophthora lateralis.

Matt Parratt  •  22 Jan 2026

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

Observatree volunteers are helping to unravel complicated relationships between Curreya pithyophila and Scotland’s national tree

Dr Flora Donald, a Tree Health Policy Officer at Scottish Forestry, explains how Observatree volunteers are helping to unravel the mysterious issue of Curreya pithyophila in Scotland. 

Dr Flora Donald  •  20 Aug 2025

Blog

2018 volunteer training days – a summary

We held 11 events across England, Wales, and Scotland from the end of May to the beginning of July.

Charlotte Armitage  •  15 Aug 2018

Blog

Welcoming new associates

One of the strengths of Observatree is the Partnership. We can draw upon the expertise and skills of different organisations in a collaborative effort to help protect our trees, woods and forests from a range of invasive pests and diseases.

Peter Crow  •  27 Jul 2021

Blog

Protecting trees, woods and forests - we couldn’t have done it without you!

Peter Crow, Observatree’s project manager, concludes our 10 years of Observatree celebrations with a look at how citizen scientists help protect trees, woods and forests.

Peter Crow  •  05 Dec 2023

Video

Induction Two: Symptoms of Ill-Health and Site Surveys Recording [2023]

Induction Two introduces the signs and symptoms we look out for in Observatree, and introduces the general site survey method. Presented by Rebecca Gosling, Woodland Trust and Matt Parratt, Forest Research.

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