Understanding an emerging health threat to Caledonian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Project Lead: Sarah Green
Host Institution: Forest Research, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Project Date: 1 February 2023 to 31 December 2023
Reference Number:
PHC2022/07
Scots pine, Ben Eighe
This project aims to utilise existing Scottish resources to fill in key evidence gaps so that threats to Caledonian Scots pine can be better understood, and potential mitigating measures identified. PHC2022/07 was proposed due to unusual disease symptoms on Caledonian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) located in the Aviemore area of Scotland having recently been investigated by the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service of Forest Research.

This project will carry out a targeted survey of Caledonian pine in Scotland to assess extent and incidence of symptoms and to collect samples; compare and identify to species level isolates of potential causal agents collected from native Scots pine and determine their phylogenetic placement and genetic diversity; develop an effective inoculation method through studies of the infection process on needles and woody tissues of Scots pine, and; determine the pathogenicity of the causal agent(s) on Scottish provenances of Scots pine.

This project was selected for funding from the Project Call: “Enhancing preparedness against pests and diseases: plugging evidence gaps for Scotland”.
Position:
Forest Pathologist and Programme Manager
Institution: Forest Research
Position:
Institution: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh