I Love Ash 2019
2019-07-24
In 2017, I took a photograph of a beautiful ash tree, which I titled ‘I Love Ash.’ I returned two years later and was saddened by its demise due to ash dieback.Continue Reading
Outbreak of Oak Processionary Moth
2019-07-09
Oak Processionary Moth or OPM has been discovered in Hampshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The Plant Health Service have announced an urgent review of import controls on large oak trees. Continue Reading
Reporting a healthy elm tree
2019-05-28
Despite what many people believe, there remain hundreds of mature elm trees across Britain. If you find one and would like to report it to researchers and conservationists, or are looking to see some yourself, check out this great online resource about healthy elms.Continue Reading
Best replacement tree species to mitigate the loss of ash in Britain
2019-05-26
As the spread of ash dieback across Britain becomes noticeable, there is a peak in interest about the consequences of ash dieback, with landowners and conservationists seeking good advice about what tree species is best to plant to help nature recover. Here’s a simply summary for landowners, based of peer-reviewed research.Continue Reading
Ash dieback paper kindles national interest
2019-05-07
Today, the media picked up on the importance of the scientific paper which I revealed yesterday, which calculates the economic cost of ash dieback in Britain to total £15 billion.Continue Reading
Ash dieback is an environmental calamity that will cost Britain £15 billion
2019-05-06
A research paper published today estimates that the cost of ash dieback in Britain will reach £15 billion. I was privileged to have supported lead author Louise Hill as an external supervisor, and to be a co-author of the paper. Continue Reading
A trait-based approach for forest ecosystem management
2019-02-01
One of my more recent co-authored research articles has been selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ in The Applied Ecologist’s Blog . The paper, Maintaining ecosystem properties after loss of ash in Great Britain by Louise Hill et al, focusses on the importance of using plant functional traits to predict potential changes to an ecosystem, following the loss of a key species.Continue Reading
National tree improvement strategy
2017-05-27
This week a National Tree Improvement Strategy for Britain and Ireland has been launched by the Future Trees Trust.Continue Reading
Resilience requires Awareness and Courage
2015-12-21
Over the last few months I’ve been working with colleagues from across the forestry sector on a major report presenting data from a survey about awareness, activities and aspirations to environmental change among woodland owners and managers, and forestry professionals. The report demonstrates that private forestry holds the balance of powerContinue Reading
Woodland biosecurity – a simple guide
2012-11-11
Biosecurity in woodlands is big news at last but clear guidance is hard to find. Here’s a simple guide.Continue Reading
A ten-point plan for ash dieback Chalara fraxinea in Britain
2012-11-03
There has been too much knee-jerk reactionary panic to the arrival of ash dieback Chalara fraxinea to Britain’s shores. Here is my proposed ten-point plan, in which some actions may surpise some.Continue Reading
Oak processionary moth (OPM) – a disaster already happening
2012-07-07
Every now and then in life you gain sudden clarity of vision about an issue; perhaps triggered by listening to someone erudite, reading something written with super clarity, or seeing it with your own eyes. In my case it is the latter and I’m worried – super worried in fact. I am not prone to exaggeration.Continue Reading
Sponsor me in aid of tree research
2012-06-26
I am taking part in the 2012 Ride for Research event at Reading in September to raise money to support tree research. I would be very grateful for any donations – please visit my personal fundraising page. Fundraising is being undertaken through Virgin Money Giving and collected on behalf ofContinue Reading
On the hunt to capture England’s last remaining mature elm trees
2012-04-06
The authors of The New Sylva recently travelled to East Sussex on the hunt to find some of England’s last remaining mature elm trees.Continue Reading
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