Condition survey of non-woodland amenity trees

 

Summary

Polyporus squamosus growing from old pruning wound on sycamore

Tree health is always a matter of public concern. The concept behind this programme came from the ‘Forest Condition Survey’ a pan-European annual survey of forest condition which has been carried out in the UK since 1987. Whilst the Forest Condition Survey concentrates on forest trees, this non-woodland tree survey focuses on 17 genera of amenity trees commonly found in urban and rural environments.

Research objectives

The aim of the survey is to monitor and analyse trends in tree diseases, the presence of insect pests, and other damage affecting such trees across England. It also enables us to promote awareness of tree health to tree managers and the general public through the dissemination of annual reports and regular information notes.

Funders and partners

This programme was originally funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) - now the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) - as part of the sustainable communities' agenda.

How the survey is conducted

To help us conduct this large survey we enlist the help of volunteer tree observers. We recruit these volunteers from all walks of life, they include:

• Tree Wardens
• City Council Tree Officers
• National Trust employees
• Interested amateurs
• ... and many others.

To help them complete the assessments we offer one-on-one introductions to the survey on site and hold group training events supervised by Forest Research staff at a central location.

The survey is performed annually during July and August and the completed forms sent to Forest Research by the end of September.

 Summary information about performing the survey ^(PDF-84K)

Contact

Dr. Katherine Tubby
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH

Tel: 01420 2255
Fax: 01420 23653
Email: katherine.tubby@forestry.gsi.gov.uk