The OPAL Tree Health Survey was developed in direct response to the UK Government’s growing concerns about the pests and diseases threatening the country’s trees and woodlands, and addressed the Government’s objectives to raise public awareness of tree health and empower people to work with officials to monitor trees. The survey was designed by people from a wide consortium of government, conservation and academic organisations. Its launch in May 2013 was timed perfectly to harness public interest following the first finding of Chalara ash dieback in the UK the previous autumn.
The survey consists of three activities:
- Identifying and assessing general tree characteristics
- Recording the presence of pests and diseases on Oak, Ash and Horse Chestnut trees
- Recording the presence of six of the most serious pest and disease threats, “The Most Unwanted”, and reporting them to officials
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