Read our operational statement about COVID-19 About us Publications & research Resources Services Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service THE TREE HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC AND ADVISORY SERVICE PROVIDE ADVICE AND WHERE POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF TREE PESTS AND PATHOGENS. Range of services: Reporting tree pests and diseases Diagnostic & advisory service Reporting tree pests and diseases If you are reporting a tree pest or disease, please use TreeAlert Diagnosticians will view your report and, if necessary, will investigate your case further. Please note that not all reports will be followed up directly. However, every report will be used and will contribute to our understanding of tree health issues across Great Britain. Common enquiries and emerging issues in 2020 Our Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service received a record number of pest and disease enquiries over the past year (April 2020 to 31 March 2021). Find out what the most common enquiries were and what pests and diseases are emerging issues. What is TreeAlert? TreeAlert is the online tool developed by the Forestry Commission. It is a valuable aid for forestry and tree professionals or people with knowledge of trees and woods, allowing them to quickly report any suspect findings of tree pests and diseases which are of concern in Britain. TreeAlert was created following the arrival of Chalara (ash dieback) as an easy method that encouraged rapid reporting. It is the only online tool in the country created for the purpose of flagging up potentially new tree pest and disease threats and can act as an early warning system to protect out trees. What happens to TreeAlert reports? The management of pests and diseases is greatly helped by early detection and prompt action. The effectiveness of TreeAlert depends completely on the reports submitted by users. Apart from the rapid detection of new threats, the reports also give us an indication of the most common disorders currently affecting trees as well as gathering information about the general health of the nation’s trees, woodlands and forests. We use the data obtained through TreeAlert to follow up findings, to identify trends of spread, to direct surveys looking for regulated or quarantine pests and pathogens and to support pest and disease management. In addition to the reports submitted to TreeAlert, the Forestry Commission and Forest Research carry out various surveillance activities for the detection of a range of tree pests and diseases. Reporting suspected cases of Chalara die back of ash Chalara dieback of ash is a disease of ash trees caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees, and is usually fatal. We would encourage you only to report suspected cases of Chalara dieback of ash in new (unshaded) areas on the following map Please use TreeAlert to report your finding There is no fee associated with this service. Further information on Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and details on symptoms guidance Diagnostic & Advisory Service This is a chargeable service offering the diagnosis of pests and diseases on trees using conventional and molecular methods, identify fungal fruiting bodies and supply general information and advice on all aspects of tree diseases and disorders There is no charge for this service if the enquiry concerns a regulated pest or disease We deal with samples from the following: Woodlands in both public and private ownership Trees on farmland, in hedgerows, shelterbelts and screens Christmas tree plantations Trees in forest and horticultural nurseries Publicly and privately owned amenity trees If you own or manage trees please use TreeAlert Please note that you will need to include your TreeAlert reference number recevied after submission of your report. For further information on how to take and package samples please visit Advice on how to take and package samples Diagnostic service charges Service charges Diagnostic & advisory standards of service There is a flat rate charge for the initial investigation which in many cases may be all that is needed to resolve the problem. Additional work, which may involve culturing from specimens or a site visit, will incur additional charges but will not be undertaken without the prior agreement of the customer. In the event that you are unable to use TreeAlert to submit your enquiry, please contact us Our services Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service - contact information Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service - standards of service Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service Charges Advice on how to take and package samples Tree pests and diseases: Common enquiries and emerging issues in 2020 Social and economic research services Plant, tree, soil and water testing Technical Development Services Technical Services Unit Pesticides efficacy testing Woodland heritage services DNA fingerprinting DNA-based species identification Pest management with Dendroctonus micans Urban trees services Habitat Network Analysis Service Land use and ecosystem services research services Subscribe to the Forest Research newsletter Email address Copyright © Forest Research 2021 Useful links Contact us Freedom of Information Privacy Policy Crown copyright Disclaimers Accessibility FR News archive This site uses cookies, you can read more about how we use them on our Privacy Policy page. 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