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Pests and diseases

Oak Processionary Moth

The oak processionary moth defoliate oak trees and can cause rashes and breathing difficulties in humans.

Pests and diseases

Plane Wilt

Plane wilt is a fungal disease that affects plane trees. Usually fatal, plane wilt can kill trees within two to five years.

Pests and diseases

Phytophthora lateralis

Discovered in the UK in 2010, Phytophthora lateralis is a fungus-like plant pathogen that attacks the roots of Lawson cypress trees.

Pests and diseases

Sweet Chestnut Blight

Sweet chestnut blight is a fungus that grows beneath the bark of sweet chestnut trees causing cankers that can girdle the tree.

Pests and diseases

Chalara Dieback of Ash

A chronic fungal disease believed to have originated in Asia, now widespread across Europe.

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

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

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

Host of the month - Plane

This month Matt Parratt delves into the world of Plane trees, Plane lace bugs and Canker stain of plane (formerly known as 'Plane wilt').

Matt Parratt  •  21 Aug 2025