Knowledge Bank - Forestry | Plant Health Centre

Knowledge Bank - Forestry

The purpose of this page is to signpost plant health information from across sectors that is relevant to forestry.

About This Page

The plant health information in these pages is aimed at practitioners in forestry and commercial tree nurseries. Much information is available online and in print to help identify disease symptoms, the organisms that cause them, and to provide guidance on management and biosecurity. Here we have collected sources we judge to be generally reliable for information on these topics. You can use the Resource Type button to filter, search by keyword, or scroll through all together. As well as native pathogens, there are invasive non-native species (INNS) affecting both exotic and indigenous trees, and other disease causing organisms which have recently become problematic, possibly due to climate change. See Getting Started for good places to begin in identifying both native and non-native pests and pathogens.

Getting Started

UK forest and plantation trees include both native and exotic species. Many of the common diseases of both these types of trees are well known and good places to start in determining identification include the CABI Field Guide for the Identification of Damage on Woody Sentinel Plants and Diseases and Disorders of Forest Trees. The Arboricultural Association also have a book shop where excellent guides can be purchased on 'Fungi on Trees', 'Tree Pest and Diseases' 'Managing Insects and Mites on Woody Plants' and 'Diagnosis of Ill Health in Trees'. The CABI Plantwise Diagnostic Field Guide is for crops but is very useful for the learning basics of symptom diagnosis. Furthermore, there are several websites with information on common disease causing organisms in forestry including the tree decay fungi webpage of GMC Arboriculture and First Nature. For help identifying insects you could contact the Royal Entomological Society or SASA. Extensive information about invasive non-native organisms (INNS) is outlined by Forest Research and, for native and long term naturalised trees only, in the Threats section of Diseases in the Natural Environment. Detailed information on most disease causing organisms can also be found on the Plantwise Knowledge Bank Database (Plantwise fact sheets). For general information on tree diseases, the Forest Pathology website is very useful. Whether the organisms are INNS or native pests and diseases, be sure to practice good biosecurity and take control measures where necessary.

Reporting Notifiable Pests

Most pests encountered will not be notifiable but if after checking diagnostic and specific resources you think you may have encountered a notifiable pest it is important that you report it quickly. In forest trees in Scotland notify Scottish Forestry via TreeAlert or by email, or if in any other plants notify the Horticulture and Marketing Unit at SASA. Outwith Scotland, consult the Plant Health Information Portal for other UK reporting contacts.

Resource	Details	Edit Content
ActionOak	An initiative to protect oak trees
APHA	Animal and Plant Health Agency - UK Government plant health controls and reporting of pests and diseases; information on certification schemes
APS advice pages	American Phytopathological Society directory of very comprehensive plant disease information pages
Arbtalk	Arborist website with tree health forum
BALI advice and toolkit	British Association of Landscape Industries - Pest and Diseases section with Landscape Institute Toolkit for biosecurity guidance
BBSRC food security news	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council - current crop protection issues and research in food security news
BCPC	British Crop Protection Council - UK Pesticides Guide Online, subscription guides to the pesticides and biocontrol agents registered for use in the UK
BSPP	British Society for Plant Pathology - news, events, and scientific publications related to plant pathology including new disease reports
CABI Plantwise	CABI Plantwise is an international organisation dedicated to reducing crop loss
CABI Plantwise field guide	Plantwise Diagnostic Field Guide a good guide for learning how to carry out disease diagnosis caused by pests and pathogens
CABI Plantwise knowledge bank	Comprehensive resource with searchable knowledge bank and diagnostic tool
CABI Plantwise pest alerts	Plantwise Knowledge Bank Pest Alerts are emails containing recent literature reports for a specified area
CABI Plantwise Toolkit	Plant disease advisory and diagnostic resources with UK and international capacity
CABI woody plants field guide	Field Guide for the Identification of Damage on Woody Sentinel Plants. This guide is recommended as the first step in disease identification of trees and shrubs
Caledon computer game	Manage a simulated forest in the face of disease epidemics and other threats. Computer game for ages 8+
California Oak Mortality Task Force	Extensive biosecurity and best practice guidelines for nurseries and wildland conservation projects issued by the California Oak Mortality Task Force, but relevant to most host plants and locations
Confor	Confederation of Forest Industries - Website with plant health webpages
DAERA Plant and Tree Health	Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland Government guidance for pests and diseases, pesticides, plant passporting, imports and exports, surveys and compliance
DEFRA factsheets	Detailed information pages on notifiable and non-notifiable pests and diseases
DEFRA reporting	UK-wide contact information for reporting notifiable diseases to authorities
DEFRA smarter rules for safer food	Government guidance on SRSF - a package of EU regulations to protect against plant and animal pests and pathogens
Defra tree health management plan	Defra's 2014 Tree Health Management Plan (England), including a synopsis of relevant research
Defra tree health resilience strategy	Defra's 2018 Tree Health Resilience Strategy
EPPO Don't Risk It kits	Downloadable posters from the EPPO Don't Risk It biosecurity campaign for plant movement with travel
FAO illustrated guide	An Illustrated Guide to the State of the Health of Trees By Eric Boa (CABI), published by the FAO
FERA biosecurity posters	Turning over a clean leaf - guidance in the forms of posters for biosecurity in woodlands and forests, parks and gardens, nurseries and gardens centres, and the countryside
FERA commercial biosecurity protocols	2012 publication with detailed guidance Nurseries, Retailers and Landscapers - Biosecurity Best Practice Protocols
FERA diagnostics	Fera provides diagnostic services for plant diseases including viruses
Forest Pathology	Website with excellent information on disease types and other relevant topics. Very infomative and useful for general forest disease information
Forest Research	Forest Research has a search facility which can be used to find publications and research about specific tree health issues and also an updated plant health news webpage
Forest Research conifer root and butt rot biocontrol	PG Suspension is a biological control agent for Heterobasidion annosum (formerly known as Fomes annosus), licensed for use on Pinus in the UK
Forest Research diagnostics	The Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service provides advice and where possible diagnosis and identification of tree pests and pathogens.
Forest Research fact page	Links to websites providing resources and guidance on managing resilient forests from Forest Research and the Forestry Commission
Forest Research newsletter	Subscribe to the Forest Research newsletter
Forest Research pest and disease resources	Detailed information sheets on specific tree and woodland problems
Forest Research pesticide guide	Forest Research Practice Guide on Reducing Pesticide use in Forestry, which contains general good practice advice on tree pest and disease management
Forest Research posters	Tree pest and disease posters
Forest Research spruce bark beetle biocontrol	Pest management of Great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans) using a biological control agent
Forest Research TreeAlert	TreeAlert is a facility to report notifiable pests and diseases, and to gather submitted information about the tree and forest health which supports monitoring and surveillance work
Forestry Commission biosecurity guidance	2012 document with detailed guidance for biosecurity in forests
Forestry Commission biosecurity poster	2012 poster from the Forestry Commission on good forestry industry biosecurity practices
Forestry Commission e-learning	Login as a guest and complete the Forestry Commission e-learning modules
Forestry Commission field book	Diseases and Disorders of Forest Trees (by S.C. Gregory and D.B. Redfern, 1998, Forestry Commission Field Book 16 )
Forestry Commission newsletter	Sign up for the Forestry Commission Tree Health News updates
Forestry Journal	Forestry Journal/Essential Arb - webpages with some articles on tree pests and diseases
HSE Chemicals Regulation Division	The Health and Safety Executive Chemicals Regulation Division is responsible for regulation of chemicals such as biocides and pesticides in the UK.
HSE pesticides	Comprehensive information on the use and regulation of pesticides including the register of authorised pesticides from within the UK Health and Safety Executive Chemical Regulations Division
ICF	Institute of Chartered Foresters - webpages with some information on tree pests and diseases
International Plant Sentinel Network	Sentinel plants in botanic gardens and arboreta play a vital role in providing information on future and/or known threats
ISPI advice page	International Society for Pest Information - Pest Information Wiki listing many plant pests and pathogens
James Hutton Institute ash dieback impacts	Fact page on the ecological impacts of Ash Dieback, including tools to aid conservation of ash associated biodiversity
James Hutton Institute oak decline impacts	Resource page on managing ecological impacts of Oak Decline, including management case studies and tools to aid conservation of oak associated biodiversity
Landscape Institute	Website has plant health and biosecurity webpages and a comprehensive Biosecurity Toolkit for practitioners
London Tree Officers Association	Provides advice on threats to tree health with comprehensive information on diagnosis and managment in a matrix
NNSS biosecurity advice fact page	GB Non-native Species Secretariat fact page with biosecurity advice and access to an e-learning biosecurity module
NZFFA forest health assessments guide	Easy to follow guides from Farm Forestry New Zealand for conducting forest health assessments
Observatree	Observatree is a citizen science initiative providing an early warning system for tree health by carrying out monitoring and surveillance on specific tree diseases
Observatree biosecurity advice	Observatree fact page with links to general biosecurity
Observatree blog	Observatree B l og with regular updates and information on monitored diseases
Observatree measures and guidance	Observatree page with links to biosecurity videos, posters and advice
Observatree newsletter	Sign up for the Observatree newsletter for regular updates on monitored diseases
Observatree priority pests	Detailed information on the priority tree pests and diseases monitored by the citizen science initiative
Pest Risk Register	A searchable or downloadable database which records risks from plant pests and pathogens, and can be searched by host as well as pest
Plant Health Centre newsletter	The Plant Health Centre produces regular downloadable newsletters
Plant passporting - DAERA	Government guidance on issuing plant passports in Northern Ireland
Plant passporting - DEFRA	Government guidance on issuing plant passports in England and Wales
Plant passporting - EU	New EU plant health rules with information on plant passporting
Plant passporting - SASA	Government guidance on issuing plant passports in Scotland
Royal Forestry Society	Royal Forestry Society Pest and Diseases webpage provides links mainly to UK Government and Forestry Commission information
Royal Forestry Society case studies	Managing Ash Dieback - Case Studies 2019 possible scenarios and management responses for ash dieback
Scottish Forestry ash dieback	Fact page on Ash Dieback in Scotland, including information, impacts, and management guidelines
Scottish Forestry biosecurity	Keep It Clean biosecurity advice tailored to the public
Scottish Forestry Dothistroma needle blight	Fact page on Dothistroma Needle Blight in Scotland, including information, impacts, and management guidelines
Scottish Forestry guidance for Juniper	Scottish Forestry - Juniper Management Guidelines and planting guidance for Scotland
Scottish Forestry guidance for pine woods	Policy guidance on planting in Caledonian pine woods to reduce the risk of Dothistroma needle blight
Scottish Forestry ramorum disease	Scottish Forestry advice on Phytophthora ramorum in Scotland with biosecurity and replanting information
Scottish Forestry tree health	Information on tree health in forestry in Scotland from the Scottish Government
Scottish Government leaflet	Scottish Government's 2011 'Plants get ill too' leaflet for download
Scottish Government pesticides guidance	Government guidance on the use of plant protection products in Scotland
Scottish Government pesticides restrictions	Statutory management requirements providing guidance on the use of plant protection products
Scottish Government Plant Health	Overview of Scottish Government plant health policy, strategy and guidance
Scottish Government Plant Health Strategy	The Scottish Plant Health Strategy
SEARS biosecurity guidance	Scotland’s Environmental and Rural Services comprehensive biosecurity guidance
The Arboricultural Association	Tree disease identification and a comprehensive Biosecurity advice document for arboriculture and environmental sectors
The Voluntary Initiative - IPM plan	Integrated Pest Management plan for all farm or nursery enterprises using professional pesticides
Tree Care Forum	Arborist website with search facility for discussions including on tree health
UK Government biosecurity advice	Biosecurity advice for trees from the UK Government and links to useful rescources, including the 'Keep it Clean' campaign
UK Government biosecurity strategy	Policy paper (2014) with overview of the measures that UK administrations are implementing to improve plant biosecurity
UK Government report a tree pest or disease	Find out when and how to report a notifiable tree pest or disease in the UK
UK Government topical issues	UK Government updated news on issues relating to plant health
UK Government tree pest and disease guidance	UK Government Find a Specific Pest or Disease provides detailed information on priority tree pests either present in Great Britain or posing the greatest threat of entering
UK Government tree pests and diseases	A comprehensive directory of UK Government web sources with information on how to identify, report, prevent and minimise the introduction, spread and impacts of tree pests and diseases in the UK
UK Plant Health Portal	The UK Government (DEFRA) Plant Health Portal is an online hub for plant health information, data and resources. It links to the Pest Risk Register which records and rates risks from plant pests and pathogens
USDA Forest Service field guide	USDA Forest Service IPED Field Guide - Pest Evaluation and Detection