Sarah Green from Forest Research presented: Phytophthora austrocedri on juniper; evidence for natural resistance in juniper populations (the good news), spread of the pathogen in nursery-grown plants (the bad news) and implications for juniper restoration.
Sarah outlined how an emerging invasive pathogen, probably introduced to the UK in the 1990s, has led to a number of infected sites in Northern Britain.
Findings from Sarah's research have provided the basis for Forest Research's new Biosecurity flyer ‘Plant health considerations for planting schemes’. This provides guidance for those responsible for planting schemes to identify and select suitable plant trade providers who follow good biosecurity practice.