Observatree Volunteer
Special Training Update
Friday 29th January2016
Welcome / Dear Observatree Volunteers,
Welcome to the last of five special training updates. The idea behind these updates is to send out training materials on the next group of pests and diseases in bite size chunks. This will include a combination of information sheets to read; training videos and presentations to watch; and invitations to webinars where you can learn more and ask any questions you may have.
This update will focus on the pine processionary moth. Similar to OPM, the pine processionary moth defoliates susceptible host species and also poses a risk to human health.
Engagement Officer news
Due to the training events, I will be out of the office for much of February and early March. However, I will be checking and responding to emails as often as I can. If you do need to contact me urgently, you can call and leave a message on my work mobile phone (listed below and the joining instructions for the training events).
Alternatively, you can contact a member of the Woodland Trust Observatree team by emailing
Best wishes
Helen
Helen Jones
Engagement Officer, Observatree
0343 7705692 / 07770 482939
Pine processionary moth / The tree pest we are focusing on this month is the pine processionary moth. PPM is native to the Mediterranean, southern Europe, parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Since the 1990s, pine processionary moth has spread north through France and has almost reached Paris.
PPM is not established in the UK, butone transient population of larvae (caterpillars) was found in a UK nursery in 1995 on Scots pine imported from Italy in 1994. The affected trees and soil were treated, and subsequent monitoring did not detect the pest.
Host trees include a number of pine species such as Scots and lodgepole, as well as other species such as Atlantic cedar and European larch, all of which are commonly grown in the UK. Defoliation of the needles is the most common symptom.
To watch a training video about the pine processionary moth, please click on the link below and select the Observatree training video link listed under “Pest information”:
Please find attached a pest profile on pine processionary moth which contains useful information on the life cycle and common symptoms.
Forthcoming webinars / The next webinar with tree health scientists will take place at 10.30am on Wednesday 23rd March. The webinar will last for approximately 30 minutes.
This is your opportunity to receive training on the Pine Processionary Moth and to ask any questions that you might have about the Observatree project, pests and diseases etc.
If you are interested in joining the webinar, please send an email to Lucy Turner and she will send you an email with the registration details.
If you have a question for the tree health scientists, please send these to Lucy. You can submit questions whether you intend to join the webinar or not. Also, you are more than welcome to attend the webinar whether you want to ask a question or not.
The webinar will be recorded so you will be able to watch it and listen to the commentary later if you can’t attend.
Please do make the most of this opportunity by submitting your questions and/or joining in with the webinar.
Future webinars
3.30pm on Monday 18thApril on Plane Wilt
TBC May on the red necked longhorn beetle
TBC June on plane and oak lace bugs
Webinar on Bronze Birch Borer / The webinar on the bronze birch borer took place on the 20th January. You can watch the webinar by clicking on the link below and a copy of the PowerPoint presentation is also attached.
Training events – February 2016 / The training events offer a great opportunity to meet other volunteers in your region and to receive training from the tree health scientists at Forest Research and Fera; the tree health teams at the Forestry Commission and Natural Resources Wales; and the plant health and seeds inspectors from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
You will learn a great deal about planning and carrying out an effective site survey; practice your tree identification skills and put your observational skills to good use.
It’s important that attend one of the events because the topics covered will help you to carry out your volunteer role more effectively.
Aims of the training events / The 2016 training events have been designed to:
- Increase your confidence in planning and delivering a general tree health site survey
- Build on observation skills already acquired, focusing on ability to observe different symptoms, what is unusual and rule out abiotic factors
- Provide an opportunity for questions on any of the pests and diseases introduced in the videos delivered over the winter
- Ensure that you understand the 2016 survey tasks and provide an opportunity for questions
- Improve awareness of the volunteer forum and understanding of how to use the it (optional)
- Improve awareness of webinars and understanding of how to access and participate (optional)
Proposed plan for the day / 09.45amArrival and refreshments
Introductions and informal starter activity
11.00amObservation skills activity (led by staff from Fera/APHA)
12.00pm2016 survey calendar – summary of tasks and opportunity for questions
12.15pm2016 priority pests and diseases – opportunity for questions on the videos (led by Forest Research)
12.30pm Lunch
To include:
- Demonstration of how to access the webinars (optional)
- Demonstration on Volunteer forum (optional)
3.30pmRefreshments
Final questions and feedback forms
4.00pmDepart
Dates and venues / The dates and venues of the regional training dates are listed below. We have tried to offer a mixture of weekday and weekend dates. We hope that you will be able to attend your local event, or one in a neighbouring region.
RegionDateLocation
South EastThursday 4th FebSissinghurst Estate, Kent
East of EnglandFriday 5th Feb Wimpole Hall, Cambs
Greater LondonSaturday 6th FebAshridge Estate, Hertfordshire
South WestFriday 12th FebKnightshayes Court, Devon
WalesSaturday 13th FebTredegar House, Newport
Yorks &HumbersideFriday 19th FebFountains Abbey, Ripon
NW EnglandSaturday 20th FebLyme Park, Disley, Stockport
West MidlandsFriday 26th FebAttingham Park, Shrewsbury
East MidlandsSaturday 27th FebCalke Abbey, Derbyshire
NE EnglandFriday 4th MarchGibside, near Newcastle
Scotland Saturday 5th MarchLoch Lomond and Trossachs NP HQ, Balloch
Northern IrelandWed 9th MarchMinnowburn, Belfast
Booking onto a training event / To book onto a training event, please email me with the following information:
- Which event you would like to attend
- Whether you would be willing to car share*
- If so, can you offer a lift or would need a lift from someone else
- Any dietary requirements
- A phone number where we can reach you on the day
If you can’t attend you local event / If you can’t attend your local event, you are welcome to attend one in another region. We will cover the cost of your travel and any other costs incurred.
If you can’t attend any of the events / Please do try to attend one of the events if possible because the majority of the training will be used to teach you practical skills of sampling and mapping. If you really cannot attend, we may be able to offer an online/phone training in exceptional circumstances.
And finally . . . / Please do contact me if you have any questions or concerns about our training plans for 2016.
Best wishes
Helen
0343 7705692 / 07770 482939