Phytophthora vigil
Given the outbreaks of Phytophthora ramorum in Japanese larch (south west England, Wales, Northern and Republic of Ireland), potentially transmitted through the air, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has asked all woodland owners to be extra vigilant in high risk areas such as south west Scotland and the Kintyre peninsula.

Contact your local FCS Conservancy office if you see any signs of the outbreak and check the FC website for updates.

Ban imposed to stop longhorn beetle spread
A two-year ban on importing Acers from China has been put imposed by the European Commission to protect against the spread of the citrus longhorn beetle Anoplophora chinensis. Read More

Race is on to save Newton Rigg
The University of Cumbria seeks a partner to take over the delivery of its Further Education provision at its Newton by August 2011. Read More

ConFor ganged up  
At a ConFor facilitated industry meeting with representatives of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority, improvement proposals included a pilot within the sector for an enhanced risk-based approach to licensing to reduce inspections and costs. Read More

Carbon pilot underway
The Forestry Commission's Woodland Carbon Code is now into its pilot scheme phase. It encourages investment in UK woodland establishment to mitigate climate change. Read More
  
The Future of the Forestry Workforce in Scotland
Commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and Forestry Commission Scotland, this report assesses the current skills in terms of delivering new planting and production, influences that may affect the availability of a skilled workforce, and related recommendations. Download from SFIC website. 

Welsh trials environment friendly pest control
In the fight to reduce pine weevil damage to Welsh forests, researchers from the Integrated Management of Forest Pests Addressing Climate Trends project have begun field trials using a cocktail of insect-killing fungi alongside nematodes (pictured right) to increase the efficiency of natural control and reduce the need for chemicals to protect young trees. Read More

UK census puts urban trees on the map
The Natural History Museum UK-wide census encourages the public to submit survey data on urban trees via its website to try and identify and map where every urban tree is.Read More 
     
Tree Officer news
The new London Tree Officers Association chairman is Dave Lofthouse, an arboricultural officer for the London Borough of Merton.

The National Association of Tree Officers is carrying out a survey on the use, experience, success/failure of the current High Hedges legislation. It asks everyone who deals with high hedges in their local authority to take part.
  
APF school party guides needed
Fiona Angier from ConFor needs volunteers to guide school parties around the International Forestry Exhibition at Cannock Chase, 23-25 September. Please email Fiona for details.
  
Olympic planting task 
The Olympic Delivery Authority confirmed that thousands of trees, parks, play areas and open spaces will be installed to support the 2,813 new homes across the London 2012 athletes' village site. Work is already underway on the 2.5ha wetland area creation in the Olympic Park.

All for one and one for all
From this autumn Forest Research will send links to all its newsletters in one email. Each newsletter provides highlights of a key are of its research. If you would like to start receiving the newsletter links email Dr Liz O'Brien with your details.
  
Woodland pilot could boost Scottish farm business
Forestry Commission Scotland plans an innovative pilot project where it leases suitable land from farmers for about ten years to create new woodland, which would then be returned for the farmers to reap the benefits. Read More
 
NASA's got global forests mapped
Scientists using three NASA satellites have created a first-of-its-kind map that details the height of the world's forests. The data collected will help scientists understand how the world's forests both store and process carbon. Read More

BBC highlights elm decline
In a news feature in August, the BBC drew attention to the fresh outbreak of Dutch elm disease which is threatening the existence of the UK's remaining English elm trees. Read More

Forest thieves - watch out!
Forestry Commission Wales has beefed up out-of-hours security in the woodlands it manages in South Wales by appointing security professionals to stop people stealing from woodland sites.

Re-leaf Campaign for England
The Tree Council has seized the government's commitment to launch a national tree planting campaign, spelling out how to make it a reality within the Big Society agenda. Read More

Scotland deer merger  
The Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) has merged with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The DCS Inverness staff contact details remain unchanged but the Stirling staff are now contactable at the SNH Stirling office on 01786 450362.

Delivery of Central Scotland Green Network starts  
Funding awarded to 17 projects across Scotland's central belt has started the process that will deliver the single, biggest greenspace development in Europe. The projects will share £362,731 of funding from the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Development Fund. Read More

Reading Matters...
Ancient Tree Guides from The Woodland Trust. Download
Space for People, a new Woodland Trust report, gives a snap shot of the extent of publicly accessible woodland in the UK. Read More
Tree Damage Alert No. 139 from the Arboricultural and Advisory Service gives a reminder of how to avoid infection from tick bites. Call 01420 22022 (£1.50 call) for a copy.
Trees are the answer, by Greenpeace co-founder and former leader Dr Patrick Moore, challenges our common assumptions about forests and forestry. Read More
Issues 7 & 8 of IUFRO News 2010 (global forest science network), PDF/Word. Download
Collaborative deer management: a case study on integrated deer management. Read More