Tree health: Spot pests and diseases for new national OPAL survey

Survey participants learn how to identify plants and record information about what they find

Researchers need help checking the health of Britain's trees using the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) national survey on Tree Health, which opens today.

Scientists are asking members of the public to examine the health of trees in their local area and report sightings of pests and diseases, particularly those affecting oak, ash and horse chestnut trees.

Using information in the free OPAL survey pack, people can learn to identify trees, measure their girth and height, examine the trunk, branches and leaves for signs of poor health, and record the presence of pests and diseases.

Imperial College London is the lead partner of OPAL, and the Tree Health survey is being developed with experts from the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) and Forest Research.

"Tree Health is one of the most exciting and important OPAL surveys," said Dr Linda Davies from the Imperial's Centre for Environmental Policy and the Director of OPAL.

"It is designed for people of all ages and abilities to start exploring and recording local nature. And, whilst learning about local trees and gathering lots of interesting information, people can also contribute their findings to a national research programme investigating the condition of the nation’s trees and the factors affecting them."

Through the survey, participants can learn how to identify wildlife and record information about what they find. At the same time, they will contribute to a national research programme that is investigating the health of Britain’s trees and the spread of pests and diseases.

The Tree Health survey includes a guide to the 'Six Most Unwanted' pests and diseases that participants may find. These include diseases such as ash dieback and pests like the emerald ash borer, which researchers say could spell disaster for the UK's forests if they become wide-spread.

"People are passionate about trees," said David Slawson from Fera, who is Chair of the OPAL Tree health Survey team.

"Their contribution could help us to spot any new threats that may have arrived in the country and give us the best chance of eradicating them before they spread."

The OPAL Tree Health survey offers participants an engaging way to learn about nature in an outdoors setting, it is the seventh national nature survey of its kind organised by the group. Any tree can be surveyed and the information will be useful, say researchers.

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Download or request a free survey pack, including tree ID guide, field notebook and field guide and Six Most Unwanted card from www.OPALexplorenature.org/treesurvey.

See the press release of this article