What Future for our Oak?
2021-06-15
Acute Oak Decline (AOD) is a serious threat facing native oak trees in Britain. If you own or manage trees, please support an important research project: Future OakContinue Reading
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
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
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
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
Ride for Research 2012
2012-09-08
I completed the Reading City leg of the 2012 Ride for Research event last weekend; riding about 21 miles. Thank you to all those who sponsored me. I exceed my personal fundraising target of £200 – today it stands at a little over £350. It’s not too late if youContinue 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
Fund 4 Trees is launched
2012-06-23
I have been involved in founding a new organisation Fund 4 Trees. It has been established to support an annual event – Ride for Research – as a fundraiser for tree research in the UK. It has a website which was launched this week at: www.Fund4Trees.org.uk. It is being backedContinue Reading
Horse chestnut leaf miner moth on film
2012-04-25
Today I watched a horse chestnut leaf miner moth, Cameraria ohridella, laying her eggs on the fresh young leaves of a horse chestnut tree. Here’s a short film that I captured. The tiny larvae will hatch in about three weeks and start to feed on the tree’s resources. First theContinue Reading
Sweet chestnut blight found in Britain
2012-03-22
The fungus that wiped out 3.5 billion chestnut trees in the USA has been found for the first time in Britain. Chestnut blight, caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (C. parasitica), has been confirmed by Forest Research scientists on trees in two small orchards of European sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa).Continue Reading
Future research requirements for forestry in England
2012-02-09
The Independent Panel on Forestry sponsored Forest Research to host a workshop, held on 9 November 2011, to identify the strengths and opportunities of the current research programmes and make recommendations for future research priorities for forestry in England. The workshop was attended by a range of participants from the research,Continue Reading
Horse chestnut leaf miner spotting
2011-08-27
Horse chestnut trees are looking worse for wear due to a leaf miner pest. Take part in a European survey by ‘adopting’ a tree near you and recording the presence or absence of the pest.Continue Reading
Oak processionary moth – management implications
2011-08-19
Some important management implications for forest workers working in areas affected by OPM. Latest thinking on the pest and possible impacts for the UK tree and forestry sectors.Continue Reading
A looming threat to tree and man
2011-05-04
The Oak Processionary Moth is a serious pest, not only for oak trees but also for human health …Continue Reading
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