Tree health: Spot pests and diseases for new national OPAL survey

Researchers need help checking the health of Britain's trees using the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) national survey on Tree Health, which opens today. Scientists are asking members of the public to examine the health of trees in their local area and report sightings of pests and diseases, particularly those affecting oak, ash and horse chestnut trees. Using information in the free OPAL survey pack, people can learn to identify trees, measure their girth and height, examine the trunk, branches and leaves for signs of poor health, and record the presence of pests and diseases. Imperial College London is the lead partner of OPAL, and the Tree Health survey is being developed with experts from the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) and Forest Research. "Tree Health is one of the most exciting and important OPAL surveys," said Dr Linda Davies (pictured right) from the Imperial's Centre for Environmental Policy and the Director of OPAL. "It is designed for people of all ages and abilities to start exploring and recording local nature. And, whilst learning about local trees and gathering lots of interesting information, local people can also contribute their findings to a national research programme investigating the condition of the nation's trees and the factors affecting them." Through the survey, participants can learn how to identify wildlife and record information about what they find.