2025 is almost over and what a year it has been for @forest-protection.bsky.social! Here are just a few of our key highlights: 🌳 Phase 2 of our research programme kicked off in the spring, with 17 new research projects being funded by #Defra. @forestresearchuk.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

On a frosty November day, members of our Scots pine tree breeding team set off for the Borders ❄️ Their mission? Collecting pine cones for vital genetic research 🧬 You can read all about their fieldwork in our latest blog: www.forestprotection.uk/2025/12/16/s... 🔗 @forestresearchuk.bsky.social

@rsb.org.uk are hosting a free online talk on Cross-Sector Innovation in Microbiome-Based Protection on 3 Feb as part of their Plant Health Series: my.rsb.org.uk/item.php?eve... 📽️ You can also access recordings of previous talks from the series here: www.rsb.org.uk/plant-health... 🔗 #PlantHealth

New research from @forest-protection.bsky.social (@forestresearchuk.bsky.social & @rbgkew.bsky.social) and @uniofstandrews.bsky.social in People and Nature highlights the importance of considering social and cultural values when restoring 'lost' tree species 🌳 Find out more: shorturl.at/zUdn9 🔗

We had a great time celebrating the 50th @thetreecouncil.bsky.social #NationalTreeWeek last week, and we hope you managed to get involved too 🥳 This years' theme was 'A Future Filled with Trees', so we asked @forest-protection.bsky.social Lead Jess Allan, what this means to her 💚

A new research programme to identify a shortlist of productive tree species, suited to both current and predicted future climatic conditions in Wales, has been given the go ahead. See below for more👇

This #NationalTreeWeek, why not sign up to our FREE online training modules? The modules are hosted on the @theicf.bsky.social Silvestor platform, and take your through the risks and challenges from non-native pests and pathogens, and how to reduce these to increase tree resilience 🪲🦠

For #NationalTreeWeek, we are turning the spotlight on some of the next generation of forest scientists🔦 We recently welcomed our new cohort of interns, with half the group based at @forestresearchuk.bsky.social and the other half at @rbgkew.bsky.social 🌳🔍 Find out more: shorturl.at/CQKbX 🔗

Did you know you can order up to ten FREE copies of @forestresearchuk.bsky.social's 'Easy Guide to Forest Trees and Their Uses' ? 🗞️ 🔎🍃 See the post below for more information, and to learn about some of our Forest Research colleagues' favourite tree species 💚👇 #NationalTreeWeek #ForestResearch

As part of #NationalTreeWeek we are highlighting our Education Programme🎓 We deliver a postgraduate module on Forest Protection in partnership with @BangorUni, the No.1 UK university for Agriculture & Forestry🌳 See more: www.forestprotection.uk/ens-4311-for... 🔗 youtu.be/qiAJ2xAnBo8 📽️

As part of #NationalTreeWeek, today we are sharing an update from our first @forest-protection.bsky.social Phase 2 biannual meeting, which brought together the core team, board members, #Defra and project leads, researchers and collaborators 🤝 Find out more: www.forestprotection.uk/2025/11/25/f...

Join our national monitoring project and help expand a GB-wide network of pheromone traps to improve understanding of the eight toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus. 👉 Sign up: ow.ly/TICy50XtxN9 @forestrycommission.bsky.social @sylva.org.uk #DefraGovUK

As part of #NationalTreeWeek we are celebrating young voices in the sector🎉 From growing up in the Cotswolds to undertaking a @forest-protection.bsky.social internship and PhD, Phoebe Swift tells us about her route into a career in tree genomics in our blog: shorturl.at/pS8Aa 🌳 @rbgkew.bsky.social

It's #NationalTreeWeek 2025 🥳 All throughout this week, we are celebrating the UK’s largest annual celebration of trees, by sharing news, blogs, and exciting updates from the Centre for Forest Protection and our partners. See more: forestprotection.uk/2025/11/21/n... @thetreecouncil.bsky.social

This week at #BritainsForestFuture Dr @guillefriis.bsky.social, CFP project lead and Post-Doctoral Researcher at @rbgkew.bsky.social gave a talk on evaluating genetic diversity and tree condition in planted & naturally colonised young woodlands 🌱 🔗 See more www.linkedin.com/posts/centre...

In 'Genetic approaches to delivering more resilient trees, woods and forests', #BritainsForestFuture attendees explored how understanding tree genetics can help select traits to make our trees, woods and forests more resilient. Three @forest-protection.bsky.social projects were presented⬇️

@actionoak.bsky.social have published their Annual Report for 2024-25 ahead of #NationalTreeWeek. The report features a range of research including on: ☁️ How elevated CO2 levels will impact our oaks 🌱 How defence priming could protect seedlings ➕ and more! See below for more 👇 #ActionOak

In yesterdays session on ‘Preparing for new threats’, #BritainsForestFuture attendees heard how prediction tools, spatial modelling and epigenetics are being used to assess new and upcoming risks to tree species in the UK 💻🧬🔬 Two @forest-protection.bsky.social projects were presented ⬇️

Yesterday at #BritainsForestFuture Alexandra Ash, CFP Project Lead and Mammal Ecologist at @forestresearchuk.bsky.social gave a talk on her @unisouthampton.bsky.social PhD which aimed to understand the drivers of grey squirrel bark stripping in UK woodlands. 🔗 See more: linkedin.com/feed/update/...

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPI115/r... A postdoc position is open in my group for a bioinformatician with expertise in RNA-seq as part of our tree speedbreeding project with @forest-protection.bsky.social. If interested in speeding trees, please apply, deadline Dec 2nd 🙂 #Plantscience #Plantscijobs

In today’s session on ‘Delivering tree pest- and disease-resilient landscapes’ #BritainsForestFuture, attendees heard about what forestry, woodland, and landowners can do to counter the growing threat of pests and diseases, and explored how research can support... (1/4)

This morning at #BritainsForestFuture, Keynote speaker Prof. Bianca Ambrose-Oji, @forestresearchuk.bsky.social, talked about the interface between research and practice, today and looking forward 🌳 With climate change accelerating, biodiversity goals intensifying, the demand for (cont)

Next week, we will be hosting “Britain’s Forest Future: Research-Practice Exchange” alongside #Defra and @uktreescapes.bsky.social 🌳 Keep an eye on our social media channels to find out more 👀 #BritainsForestFuture #KnowledgeExchange #TreeHealth @forestresearchuk.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

Our 'Speed Breeding Technologies for UK Broadleaved Trees' team recently came together for their first in-person meeting at @niab-uk.bsky.social East Malling, to inspect their trees after the first season under speed breeding conditions🌱 🔗 Read more: forestprotection.uk/2025/11/13/s... #TreeHealth

There's something for everyone during National Tree Week! Head over to nationaltreeweek.org.uk to find an event near you. 💚 #NationalTreeWeek

ONE WEEK TO GO! 📢 There are still tickets left for Britain's Forest Future: Research-Practice Exchange on 17 & 18 Nov, in Durham- don't miss out ⏰ 🔗 Follow this link to find out more and book your place: britainsforestfuture.zohobackstage.eu/event 🌳 @uktreescapes.bsky.social #Defra #TreeHealth

TWO WEEKS TO GO! 📢 There are still tickets left for Britain's Forest Future: Research-Practice Exchange on 17 & 18 Nov, in Durham- don't miss out ⏰ 🔗 Follow this link to find out more and book your place: britainsforestfuture.zohobackstage.eu/event 🌳 @uktreescapes.bsky.social #Defra #TreeHealth

Commissioned by #ScottishForestry, @forestresearchuk.bsky.social has published a landmark shortlist of 28 tree species to help diversify and strengthen Scotland's forests against pests, diseases, and climate change. For more information, see the post below 👇 #Forestry #ForestResilience

Calling all practitioners with experience of planting, managing or overseeing a tree species mixture📢 It's your last chance to complete our drought resilience survey before it closes tomorrow: defragroup.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... ⏰ #ForestProtection #DroughtResilience #ForestManagement

Dead and decaying trees are vital for biodiversity, but do people value them? @forestresearchuk.bsky.social have found that the public feel positively about dead and decaying trees🪵 Read the full report below👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments💬 #ForestResearch #Deadwood

There is still time to book your ticket for Britain's Forest Future: Research-Practice Exchange 🌳 📅 17 & 18 Nov 2025 📍 Durham Book 5 or more tickets and receive 20% off – no code required, it’s applied directly at the checkout! 🎫 🔗 Find out more: britainsforestfuture.zohobackstage.eu/event

Join researchers, practitioners & policymakers at the Britain’s Forest Future event hosted by Defra, @uktreescapes.bsky.social & @forest-protection.bsky.social. 📅 17 & 18 Nov📍Durham Chaired by ICF Executive Director, Louise Simpson. Agenda & tickets: britainsforestfuture.zohobackstage.eu/event

Earlier this year, our 24/25 interns gave a short talk on the research they had been working on, ranging from mapping the distribution and diversity of UK elm, to studying the effects of bacterial pathogens on UK tree species. 🔗 Watch the talks here: www.forestprotection.uk/cfp-intern-t...

⏰ NEW BLOG: Geoff Monck's Mission to Save the Yew ✍ In our new blog, experienced Arboricultural Consultant, PhD student and CFP researcher, Geoff Monck tells us about his research into the apparent long-term decline of ancient yew trees. 🔗Read here: www.forestprotection.uk/2025/10/07/g...

Have you purchased your ticket for the most significant forest and woodland research, policy and practice knowledge-exchange event in 2025 yet? 🌳 Book 5 or more tickets and receive 20% off – applied directly at the checkout! 🎫 Don't miss out, book now: britainsforestfuture.zohobackstage.eu/event

I chose a good day to check for seed in our Fraxinus collection at @rbgkew.bsky.social 🌞🌳🍁 Looks like a bumper crop for most species - these are valuable material for @forest-protection.bsky.social funded research to tackle threats to ash trees 🌿 #Fraxinus #ashtrees #treehealth

📢 BRITAIN'S FOREST FUTURE: RESEARCH-PRACTICE EXCHANGE 🌳 Join us for the most significant forest and woodland research, policy and practice knowledge-exchange event in 2025! 📍 Durham 📅 17 & 18 November 2025 🔗 Find out more and book your place: britainsforestfuture.zohobackstage.eu/event

We’re working with Defra, @forest-protection.bsky.social, Kew Gardens, @uni-of-edinburgh.bsky.social, @inrae-hdf.bsky.social & @sylva.org.uk on #ClimateChange & woodland resilience projects. ⬇

🌳Dr Joe Beesley is a lead researcher on our "Detecting and understanding oak shake" project, which seeks to improve our understanding of the drivers of oak shake*. 📹Watch below to understand the importance of gathering evidence on oak shake, and reporting your observations via #TreeAlert 👇

🌱 Scientists from @rbgkew.bsky.social, and @forestresearchuk.bsky.social have published a new study comparing the benefits of tree planting vs natural colonisation for future resilience of UK woodlands. 🔗 For more information, click here: shorturl.at/fyPAf and see the video and blog below 👇

📢This week we launched our second e-learning module: Reducing risks for resilient trees! 🌳The module looks at how risks from non-native pests and pathogens can be minimised to enhance resilience in trees. 🔗For more information, see: www.forestprotection.uk/2025/09/05/s... #TreeHealth #Biosecurity

💻 You can now view our spring webinar series which showcases the results from some of our Phase 1 projects. Our 2024/25 cohort of interns also gave a short talk about each of their projects. 🔗 You can find links to the webinars & talks here: www.forestprotection.uk/2025/09/03/s...

🧵The government has announced the successful eradication of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) from all outbreak sites in England identified in 2021 🪲🚫 Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/n... #ipstypographus #eighttoothedsprucebarkbeetle #treepest #spruce #treehealth (1/4)

Forest Research has created an interactive guide to help policymakers and practitioners understand the unique social and cultural values of trees outside of woodlands in peri-urban and rural settings. ow.ly/KsYW50WMVBZ Funded by the UK Government through Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund programme.

🔬 Over the last few weeks, we have been introducing our Phase 2 research projects across our social media channels. ℹ️ Read about the individual projects by looking through our recent '📢 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢' posts, or by visiting our website: www.forestprotection.uk/our-projects/

📢 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 🌳 Can Scots pine withstand climate extremes? 🔬 Our scientists are testing how different populations respond to drought, flooding & disease to guide future forest resilience. 🔗 Read more: www.forestprotection.uk/project/cfp2...

📢 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 🌳 How resilient are our forests to windstorms? 🔬 Our scientists are blending social & ecological research to improve wind risk models and support climate-smart forest management. 🔗 Read more: www.forestprotection.uk/project/cfp2...

📢 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 🌳 Can we detect forest disease before it spreads? 🔬 Our scientists are using satellites, drones & chemical signals to spot early stress, building tools to protect UK forests before they spread. 🔗 Read more: forestprotection.uk/project/cfp2...

📢 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 🌳 How can farmers protect their trees and businesses from pests and diseases? 🔬 Our scientists are co-designing practical tools with farmers to boost tree health, resilience & farm sustainability. 🔗 Read more: www.forestprotection.uk/project/cfp2...

📢 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 🌳 How can we stop grey squirrels from damaging UK woodlands? 🔬 Our scientists are studying tree defences & squirrel behaviour to explore non-lethal control methods. 🔗 Read more: www.forestprotection.uk/project/cfp2...