Future Oak
Oak trees are home to a wide range of microorganisms, known as the oak microbiome, many of which have beneficial effects on tree health. They also host bacteria which can contribute to Acute Oak Decline (AOD), a serious threat facing native oak trees in Britain. The aim of the Future Oak project is to gain a better understanding of the identity of these microorganisms, what they do, and their role within the oak microbiome. This will help develop biocontrol methods which support beneficial microorganisms and suppress pathogens.
The key objectives of the project are as follows;
- Characterise the oak microbiome in healthy and AOD affected trees at sites across Britain
- Identify AOD disease-suppressive microorganisms in the oak microbiome
- Using these naturally disease-suppressive microorganisms of the oak microbiome, design a biocontrol treatment that will suppress AOD lesion formation
- Engage with woodland managers and stakeholders to explore understandings and attitudes to the microbiome, engineered biocontrol treatments, and wider issues of oak health and management
Future Oak Project Publications and Outputs
- How to recognise a healthy forest: Perspectives from private forest managers in Britain (2024)Abstract The managers of private forests have critical roles in responding to forest health challenges. Basic knowledge of how they interpret and understand the health of their trees is, however, very sparse. Via an online survey of private forest managers in Britain, we reveal the basic characteristics of this group’s understandings of tree and forest …