Future Oak

Understanding the microbiome could help combat tree disease

In the UK, oak trees are increasingly under threat from Acute Oak Decline (AOD), a complex disease arising from a combination of factors including environmental stress, insects, and pathogenic bacteria. Currently, there is no effective means of managing the disease. Symptoms include stem bleeds, rotting stem tissue and often death. All trees have a microbiome and host a diverse range of microbes, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. These microbes are vital for tree health, as they are involved in many of the processes trees need to survive. They can also provide protection from tree pathogens. It may be possible to use microbes to boost the microbiome and protect against diseases like AOD. The first step is to identify microbial species which promote oak health or suppress the pathogenic bacteria associated with AOD.

Find out more about Acute Oak Decline

This research surveyed the oak microbiome to identify potentially beneficial microbes

We surveyed the microbiomes of 300 oak trees at 30 woodlands across Britain, both in areas where AOD is currently found and where it is not. We built statistical models to understand the environmental factors that determine which microbial species are found on each tree, and the association of each microbial species with disease. We collected microbes from each tree, resulting in a collection of more than 20,000 microbial strains. We tested most of these strains for their ability to suppress the growth of
pathogenic bacterial species involved in causing AOD. Species with suppressive activity are being tested for their ability to suppress the development of AOD symptoms in live saplings.

To understand whether a microbial treatment would be viewed as an acceptable intervention, we spoke with small woodland owners to learn about their understanding of the tree microbiome, and to understand whether they would be willing to apply such a treatment.

For more information about this project contact James McDonald.

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Meet the Future Oak Team

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