Volunteers sought to help safeguard the future of UK hedgerows – with a focus on hawthorn
A new national research project is inviting volunteers to help assess the health and resilience of hawthorn, the species that forms around 70% of UK hedgerows. Led by Forest Research, Fera, The Tree Council and the International Plant Sentinel Network, the study will investigate how hawthorn responds to pests, diseases and environmental pressures, and what this could mean for the wider landscape.
Volunteers are asked to survey local hawthorn trees between May and September, recording both healthy and diseased specimens. By submitting photographs and, where appropriate, samples, participants will contribute valuable data on important threats including fireblight and Gymnosporangium rust diseases.
Anyone with an interest in trees, nature or conservation can take part. Volunteers will receive feedback on their submissions while supporting vital research to help protect one of the UK’s most important hedgerow species.
Get involved: Download the sampling protocol, complete a sampling sheet, and submit your photos and samples to hawthorn.sampling@forestresearch.gov.uk. Participants must be over 18, or accompanied by a responsible adult, and have permission before sampling on private land. More information about the project can be found here: Volunteers sought to help safeguard the future of UK hedgerows – Forest Research.