Pioneering project to safeguard our iconic oaks launched
Elements of climate change can contribute to an increase in disease affecting our iconic oak trees, but a pioneering project will investigate the role of beneficial microbes in fighting diseases that affect our native oaks.
The FUTURE OAK project, comprising scientists at Bangor University, Forest Research, Aberystwyth University and the Sylva Foundation, will study how oak microbiomes are affected by environmental change and disease.
Why society needs nature – lessons from research during Covid-19
Research shows us that connecting with the natural environment has many benefits for our physical health and mental wellbeing. Now a newly published report from a collaboration between the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot, Natural England and Forest Research collates the findings of their research investigating how people visited nature and their experiences of it during the Covid-19 restrictions of 2020.
Additionally, a new Forest Research paper published in the journal Environmental Research and Public Health, follows up last year’s work by reporting findings on whether being physically active changed or not, if being active impacted people’s wellbeing and whether those who were active benefited from connecting to nature during the Covid restrictions.
Research reveals the origins of destructive tree pathogen Phytophthora ramorum was introduced to North America and Europe over two decades ago and has proved highly damaging to trees. A new paper reveals research findings that this species originates from the laurosilva forests of East Asia. The findings also identify critical questions about the disease in the UK. This work is part of an ongoing initiative to understand the origins of various Phytophthora species and was part of an EU Horizon 2020 project.
Help us map Britain’s urban canopy cover
Our citizen science project, launched in 2019, aims to map the distribution of tree canopy cover across Britain’s towns and cities to help manage and understand this precious resource. Together, we’ve already mapped 65%! Our step-by-step guide shows how you can join in with details of the canopy cover where you are and our online interactive web-map shows the data gathered. It takes about an hour and can be done from your desk, so do get involved!
Protecting young conifers from Hylobius
A new Forest Research paper summarises several years of research into alternatives to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides used to protect young trees from damage by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis L. This work, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, is of importance for UK forestry amid concerns over the toxicity of traditional insecticides.
Threats to European trees from emerald ash borer and bronze birch borer
The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, has become a serious killer of ash trees in North America and in the European part of Russia, with a recent expansion into Ukraine. As part of the Defra-funded Euphresco project PREPSYS, a decision framework/toolkit has been developed for assessing preparedness for emerald ash borer and bronze ash borer.
A new Briefing Note has been published summarising the biology and main findings on the two beetle species, though research continues. This publication discusses natural and invaded ranges of the pests and outlines a European Toolbox that aims to prepare for and manage EAB/BBB invasion.
Odes 2 Oaks
What do oak trees mean to you? A new initiative, Odes 2 Oaks, aims to understand what oak trees mean to people in the UK. This forms part of the pioneering BACSTOP project, which is investigating the health of British oak trees.
Our researchers would love to see your tributes expressing what oaks mean to you. You could show this in words or images, whether poetry, stories, letters, messages, photos or any sort of artwork. Odes 2 Oaks aims to capture these meanings and to celebrate our oak trees and woodlands. All entrants will be entered into a prize draw for a £25 voucher for outdoor/garden goods.
New Research Note on oak decline
A new Research Note is available: Ecological implications of oak decline in Great Britain. It presents a study of the ecological value of Great Britain’s native oaks as reflected in the biodiversity supported by the trees and ecosystem functions the trees perform. It describes the characteristics of oak woodlands in Great Britain and the consequences of oak decline for oak-associated biodiversity. The Note aims to identify options for the management of oak woodlands to sustain ecosystem functions and biodiversity. This publication is available as a PDF from our website.
