Protect our trees!

Trees are essential to our wellbeing, giving shelter, shade and a home to wildlife, yet we could be at risk of losing millions of the largest plants on the planet

Nothing can beat the sight of dappled summer sunshine filtering through leafy branches. Trees are not only beautiful, they provide us with oxygen, stabilise our soil, reduce noise and pollution and help to reduce daily stress. But they’re under attack from pests and diseases which could seriously damage our gardens, landscapes and impact on our precious wildlife populations.

Whether you’re lucky enough to have trees in your garden, lining the streets of your neighbourhood, or you simply enjoy seeing them in local parks and on woodland walks, they offer a range of physical and mental health benefits. The canopies, formed by their branches, trap dust and absorb pollutants from the atmosphere, removing up to 1.7 kilos per tree every year. They offer shade from the sun, and reduce noise in busy towns and cities. Research shows that walking amongst trees means that our blood pressure drops, our heart rate slows and stress levels are reduced.

Mighty as they are, trees need protection, and Observatree is a project that aims to help safeguard UK trees, woods and forests from new pests and diseases through early detection and reporting. Spotting problems early is essential because it ensures the highest chances of controlling or noting any outbreaks. Monitoring the spread of tree pests and diseases is equally important. By knowing where something is and when it arrives could highlight trees or areas of the UK with natural resistance and give vital clues to preventing further spread.