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Observatree Blog

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  • Blog

    Observatree volunteers help the Woodland Trust manage OPM

    Over the course of 2021, many of our invaluable citizen scientists have continued their surveillance of Woodland Trust sites for Oak Processionary Moth (OPM).

    Rebecca Gosling  •  24 Nov 2021

  • Blog

    A moving diagnosis

    If it’s possible to have a mobile home, just imagine how useful a mobile lab would be?

    Dr Caroline Gorton  •  24 Nov 2021

  • Blog

    Ash Dieback in the National Trust

     Ash is one of our most important tree species both ecologically and culturally, and is generally considered to be the third most common tree in British woods, comprising around 12% of woodland tree cover. 

    Luke Barley  •  23 Aug 2021

  • 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

    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

    Observatree Volunteers successes with Zoom

    The first national lockdown in 2020 prevented the annual face to face training events for Observatree volunteers from taking place. As an alternative, a valuable series of technical webinars on pests and diseases, delivered by staff from across the Observatree partnership, were held instead. 

    Richard Churchman & Paul Gill  •  02 Mar 2021

  • 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

    Monitoring new pests and diseases on the horizon

    Dr Charles Lane, plant pathologist and Observatree lead for Fera Science Ltd describes how potential new threats to our trees from other parts of the world are monitored and introduces Beech Leaf Disease.

    Charles Lane  •  14 Nov 2020

  • Blog

    Oak Processionary Moth Update

    Oak processionary moth (OPM), introduced to the London area in 2005, is a pest of oak trees. The OPM team at Forestry Commission give us an update on the situation.

    Andrew Hoppit & Millie Toft  •  11 Nov 2020

  • Blog

    Emerald ash borer survey and detection: the Canadian experience

    It's the International Year of Plant Health and our colleague from Canada give us details on their work with emerald ash borer. A highly destructive pest of ash trees.

    Jon Sweeney, Erin Bullas-Appleton, Troy Kimoto & Ron Neville  •  22 Sep 2020

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Observatree is a citizen science project led by Forest Research, in collaboration with key organisations

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Previously 50% funded by the EU's LIFE+ Programme (2013 - 2017)