Conservation / Tree Health

Novel approach aims to increase genetic diversity, efficiency in protecting threatened tree species, benefiting foresters, natural resource organizations, and ultimately the public.

Globally, forest trees are increasingly at risk from habitat destruction, pests and disease, and a changing climate. But the guidelines for effective preservation of a tree species' genetic diversity and adaptive potential have been limited to simple mathematical equations for crop collections from the 1970s, or best guesses based on intuitions.

When your goal is something as important as restoring the American chestnut to the eastern United States, you can’t go it alone. The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) knew this, which is why they have a network of amazing chapters, volunteers, scientists, and also, partner organizations. Through the ArbNet community of arboreta we can work collaboratively as part of a broad network with the common goal of encouraging the planting and conservation of trees.

By Andrew Lupton

Conservationists hope to use rare tree to help bring back species wiped out by blight.

Dan Brinkman — a self-described tree nerd — knew he'd hit the jackpot when he was told about a certain tree standing in a cattle pasture near Mount Brydges.

By Gwilym Lewis

Kew scientists, in collaboration with researchers from Brazil and Canada, have recently published a description of a new tree species from the legume family (Leguminosae or Fabaceae). Dinizia jueirana-facao G.P. Lewis & G.S. Siqueira, discovered in Brazil, grows to a whopping 40 metres with an estimated weight of up to 62 tonnes.

By Lydia Taylor

Researchers say they are stumped by a disease that’s infecting beech trees in Northeast Ohio.

Beech leaf disease can be identified by curling leaves with dark stripes. The leaves fall earlier than normal and prevents the tree from blooming the next season.

Mike Watson, conservation biologist at Holden Arboretum, says the cause of the disease and how it spreads is unknown.

Trees and shrubs could be less fussy about the climate than scientists thought. That might be good news as the planet warms.

By Clothilde Goujard

Thousands of small test tubes were set up in neatly organized rows in the cupboards of Armand Séguin’s laboratory.

Soon, the scientist would be filling them up with sap squeezed from the bark of ash trees.

Séguin has been studying cancer for more than two decades. Now he's turned his expertise to stopping the spread of the destructive emerald ash borer, a green metallic-looking beetle that is smaller than a fingernail.

By Susan Milius

An invasive beetle has unexpected — and potentially troublesome — tastes in trees. Now two new studies are clarifying the insects’ dining habits, researchers reported at the annual Entomological Society of America meeting.

By Tom Ough

If there is such a thing as national talents, then the English are peerless in their acquisitive eye for a symbol. Lion? Just because the king of the jungle isn’t indigenous to Europe doesn’t mean he can’t have a Union flag draped over his haunch. Tea? Our temperate maritime climate is no good for cultivating tea shrubs, but their boiled leaves still make our national drink.

We know what makes a good emblem. Marmalade is Roman. Doesn’t matter. Queuing is universal. Ditto. Morris dancing is Spanish (look it up).

Teamwork between Forest Research, Bangor University and others has for the first time, tracked down the cause of the stem bleeding symptoms of this newly identified threat to the native oak.