| Forest Research scientists to contribute to key conference on tree diseases |
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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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
