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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

Host of the month - Spruce

For December, Matt Parratt looks at Spruce (Picea species) and the Great spruce bark beetle.

Matt Parratt  •  19 Dec 2024

Blog

Host of the month - Oak

Matt Parratt discusses Oak (Quercus species) and Acute oak decline. 

Matt Parratt  •  20 Mar 2025

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