BAC-STOP

The BAC-STOP project is about stopping the spread of pathogenic bacteria that are damaging and causing the death of many native British oak trees. The project aims to save threatened oak and protect them for future generations by investigating the microbial and vector biology as well as the community impact of Acute Oak Decline (AOD).

The research includes four work packages:

To investigate beetle behaviour and beetle-bacteria interactions to determine the role of the beetle in AOD
To determine the role of drought and nutrient stress on oak health, disease establishment, and the oak microbiome
To examine the values and attitudes of the public, forest and tree practitioners, scientists and policymakers towards oak
To study the bacteria causing AOD and analogous infections in other tree species to understand pathogen host ranges

Download a BAC-STOP project summary

News, events and outputs from BAC-STOP

Updates from the BAC-STOP project

This is the updated map shows the distribution of locations affected by Acute Oak Decline (AOD), based on reports through the Forest Research Tree Alert system and research evidence. Unfortunately this year we received new most northerly records which are around Liverpool and Manchester, undoubtedly this is due to a warmer climate making this area more suitable for the Agrilus beetle. We have also noticed over the past year that there is an increase in severity of disease expression and there have been a number of tree deaths due to the combination of the damage to the conducting system done by the disease, coupled with the summer drought and extreme temperatures. Through the BPD we have also had enquiries and confirmed swab positives from some European countries.

The photos below show severe AOD stem weeping.

Wound inoculating oak trees with bacterial suspension at our field test site to answer questions about how stems lesions occur in Acute Oak Decline and the effects of drought on disease development. Note that the tree being inoculated is under a rain exclusion shelter, which is how we create drought conditions in the field.
The Bac-Stop pathology team were very excited to use the new Forest Research mobile laboratory for inoculation work in field trials, now we can be sure of high accuracy!
The Forest Research mobile laboratory can be used for responding to pest and disease outbreaks and field trials.
Assessing log tests in the laboratory to determine the effects of bacteria on lime trees (Tilia x moltkei). We are wanting to find out whether Brenneria goodwinii, which is the key destructive bacterial species associated with Acute Oak Decline, is able to cause or contribute to stem bleeding on lime trees.