In the early 1900’s, the large, rather conspicuous gypsy moth was lost from the British list of breeding insects. A specialist feeding on bog-myrtle and creeping willow, it became extinct when the fens of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk were drained. However, 90 years later the gypsy moth was back when the European race was found breeding … Read more
Anybody visiting tourist resorts in the Mediterranean today will likely encounter large numbers of dying and dead palms. What is the reason for this ‘palmageddon’ in the Mediterranean? The culprit is a large Asian beetle called the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) – the most important pest in the World of date palm, coconut and … Read more
Dr Paula Shrewsbury, an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland, answers our questions on what inspired him to work with trees, whether we’re overreacting to the threat of pests and diseases, what we can do to protect urban trees and more…
English Heritage are delighted to collaborate with Observatree, to allow Tree Health Surveyors access to English Heritage sites in support of the early warning system for tree health issues in England. We are acutely aware of the risk of significant tree pests and diseases affecting the UK and Europe therefore this collaboration can boost the … Read more
Renowned arboriculturist Dr David Lonsdale answers our questions on what inspired him to work with trees, whether we’re overreacting to the threat of pests and diseases, what we can do to protect urban trees and more… www.trees.org.uk
Timelapse video of part of the ARB Show 2017 site being set up. Recorded between 4th May – 17th May 2017 Timelapse
Matt is the Urban Forester for the City of Santa Monica. He honed his skills in the UK and went on to work with trees in the New York City Parks Department. Find out what inspires him about working with trees.
Talking about trees with City of Santa Monica Urban Forester Matthew Wells.
It’s now almost exactly a year since Phase 1 of Observatree under EU LIFE+ funding came to an end and the project transitioned to Observatree II. A great deal has happened over the past 12 months, both within the project and in the wider world of tree health, and I wanted to take this opportunity, … Read more
2018 ISA True Professional, Nate Faris
I was delighted to go to an Observatree training event at Llandeilo on 8 June 2018. This was the third training event that I have attended and, as well as an update on some priority pests and diseases, there was a very useful identification workshop on broadleaved trees. Some were more challenging than others, including … Read more
2018 ISA Award of Distinction, Bruce Fraedrich, Ph.D.
In July 2015, at an Observatree training session held at Keele University, Barnaby Wylder (Forestry Commission) showed volunteers a 10-15 year old Cedrus atlantica glauca quite heavily infected with Sirococcus tsugae. The disease has been endemic in North America on Hemlock (Tsuga spp.) for many years but has only been observed in Europe, initially in … Read more
2018 ISA Award of Distinction, Rip Tompkins
I would like to say a huge thank you to all volunteers and trainers who attended the training days and helped make them successful and enjoyable for everyone present. We held 11 events across England, Wales, and Scotland from the end of May to the beginning of July. Approximately 75 volunteers attended and it was good … Read more
2018 ISA Award of Distinction winner A. James Downer, Ph.D.
ISA Award of Distinction, Jessica Vogt, Ph.D.
2018 ISA Award of Distinction, Ken Palmer