Forest Research scientists to contribute to key conference on tree diseases
Forest Research scientists and the head of the Forestry Commission’s
Plant Health Service will address an important conference to raise
awareness and understanding of tree diseases and pests, and their
implications and management.
The April event, organised by the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) and Royal
Agricultural Society of England (RASE), is a response to concerns about
the number of diseases currently affecting trees and woodland in
Britain, and the potential severity of their impact.
Scientists from Forest Research, the scientific research and technical
development arm of the Forestry Commission, will make presentations in
the first session of the day. They are Dr Joan Webber, head of
pathology, Dr Sandra Denman, senior pathologist, and Dr Nigel Straw,
senior entomologist. They will set the scene by describing current
trends in tree diseases, health issues affecting native British oak, and
pests and diseases of horse chestnut. Roddie Burgess, Head of the
Commission’s Plant Health Service, will speak on bio-security issues,
and Tim Rollinson, Director-General of the Commission, will chair the
session.
The conference will discuss the challenges that tree diseases pose, in
the context of conservation, economic and societal implications of
epidemics and how they might be tackled. Speakers include Jonathan Hazel
(Parkwood Holdings), Keith Kirby (Natural England), Colin Price (Bangor
University), Susana Mourato (London School of Economics), Peter Savill
(Oxford Forestry Institute), and Karen Russell (Lockhart Garratt).
It will also present brief case studies of tree disease management to
highlight lessons that can be used to inform future good management. The
case studies will include experience from the Forestry Commission
(including one on red band needle blight management at Thetford Forest
in East Anglia), the Irish Forest Service and The Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew.
The conference is suitable for woodland owners and managers,
arboriculturists and others with an interest in tree and woodland health
and management. It will be held on 21st April at the National
Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
For further details and booking see:
www.rase.org.uk/events/conferences/trees-diseases-conference/index.asp
or
contact the Royal Agricultural Society of England on 02476 858252
or
the Royal Forestry Society, tel: 01442 822028; e-mail:
rfshq@rfs.org.uk.