Forest Research scientists and the head of the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Service will address an important conference to raise awareness and understanding of tree diseases and pests, and their implications and management.
The event, organised by the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) and Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), is a response to concerns about the number of diseases currently affecting trees and woodland in Britain, and the potential severity of their impact.
Scientists from Forest Research, the scientific research and technical development arm of the Forestry Commission, will make presentations in the first session of the day. They are Dr Joan Webber, head of pathology, Dr Sandra Denman, senior pathologist, and Dr Nigel Straw, senior entomologist. They will set the scene by describing current trends in tree diseases, health issues affecting native British oak, and pests and diseases of horse chestnut. Roddie Burgess, Head of the Commission’s Plant Health Service, will speak on bio-security issues, and Tim Rollinson, Director-General of the Commission, will chair the session.
The conference will discuss the challenges that tree diseases pose, in the context of conservation, economic and societal implications of epidemics and how they might be tackled. Speakers include Jonathan Hazel (Parkwood Holdings), Keith Kirby (Natural England), Colin Price (Bangor University), Susana Mourato (London School of Economics), Peter Savill (Oxford Forestry Institute), and Karen Russell (Lockhart Garratt).
It will also present brief case studies of tree disease management to highlight lessons that can be used to inform future good management. The case studies will include experience from the Forestry Commission (including one on red band needle blight management at Thetford Forest in East Anglia), the Irish Forest Service and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The conference is suitable for woodland owners and managers, arboriculturists and others with an interest in tree and woodland health and management. It will be held on 21st April at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
For further details and booking see:
Further information on Forest Research’s work on tree diseases and pests is available at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/protectingtrees.
General information on plant health and statutory controls is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth
NOTES TO EDITOR:
- Forest Research has a well established and respected research programme exploring tree pests and diseases. It is at the forefront of work to develop an understanding of the biology, spread and management of Phytophthora ramorum, and the cause and distribution of acute oak decline, as well as efforts to manage red band needle blight (Dothistroma septosporum). It is also working on insect pests such as horse chestnut leaf miner moth (Cameraria ohridella) and oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea), and helping to determine the status in Britain of pine-tree lappet moth (Dendrolimus pini), which was recently found breeding in pine woods in northern Scotland. This research provides the scientific evidence needed to develop sound management advice to help combat the harmful effects of tree pests and diseases. Forest Research is also working to understand how climate change will influence the range and severity of pests and diseases which affect British trees and woodlands.
- Forest Research is part of the Forestry Commission, which is the government department for forestry in Great Britain. It conducts world-class scientific research and technical development relevant to forestry for a range of internal and external clients. For further information visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk.
- Forest Research offers a diagnostic, identification and advisory service on a range of pests, diseases and problems affecting trees. See www.forestresearch.gov.uk/fr/infd-5uwey6.
MEDIA CONTACT: Suzanne Martin, 01420 526188.