This guidance describes how to get involved with our Hawthorn Monitoring Project, including background to the project, why hawthorn is important, and a step-by-step guide to contributing samples and photographs.
Hawthorn is the backbone of UK hedgerows, making up around 70% of their structure. These hedgerows are vital for biodiversity, habitat connectivity and carbon storage, and therefore important for meeting environmental targets.
However, despite its importance, its resilience to pests, diseases, and climate change remains poorly understood. More research is required to understand how hawthorn vulnerability poses wider risks to the treescape. For example, hawthorn is a host species for the fireblight pathogen that can then be passed on to apple and pear orchards.
That’s where you come in!
By sharing samples of hawthorn showing possible signs of disease, you will be helping researchers:
- Build a clearer picture of current and emerging threats to hawthorns
- Contribute with crucial evidence that supports better tree health surveillance
- Strengthen hedgerow resilience
- Contribute to national environmental goals
Every sample makes a real difference.
You can get involved by sampling hawthorn plants where you live, work, or visit. Please use the sampling sheet here to record your findings. Alternatively, you can complete a sampling sheet (below) and send us your photographs (send both to: hawthorn.sampling@forestresearch.gov.uk).
You can download the full sampling protocol below. If you would like to watch a recording of scientists explaining why the research is important and how to get involved you can watch our recording for National Hedgerow Week 2026 here.
Resource information:
