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State-of-the-art tree health laboratory opens

Located within the Alice Holt Forest in Surrey, Defra and the Forestry Commission have opened the £5.8 million Forest Research Holt Laboratory that will carry out innovative research into tree pests and diseases. The research of scientists at the Holt Laboratory will inform future practice, determining the pests and pathogens that may be detrimental to our forests, including Oak processionary moth, Ips typographus and Phytophthora pluvialis, as well as emerging potential threats from abroad as a result of our warming climate, such as Emerald ash borer and Citrus longhorn beetle.

Forest Research Chief Executive, Professor James Pendlebury MICFor said:

“Pests and diseases pose an existential threat to our treescapes. The research conducted at the Holt Laboratory as part of the Centre for Forest Protection will be pivotal in our long-term ability to combat these threats and safeguard our treescapes for future generations.

This state-of-the-art facility builds on a long-term programme to protect our trees and forests from existing threats and ensures that we are at the forefront of defence against future risks.”

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