Action Oak Annual Report 2024-25

Cover image (C) Charles Sainsbury-Plaice

Action Oak launches the ‘Action Oak Report 2024-25’ ahead of National Tree Week 2025

I am pleased to announce the publication of the fourth Action Oak Annual Report, the biggest to date.  The Report contains a combination of research that is forward-looking, for instance how elevated CO2 levels will impact our oaks and how defence priming could protect seedlings. It includes continued research into pests and diseases: Acute Oak Decline, contraceptive control for grey squirrels and disrupting mating patterns as a method to manage oak processionary moth populations. The Report also has features on the climate, monitoring oak health and volunteering opportunities for those who are able to support these efforts.

Without research and monitoring of this calibre we would be exposing our native oak population to the significant risks resulting from climate and weather and an array of alarming pests and diseases.  Action Oak exists to reduce that risk and ensure that we do not lose these vitally important and iconic trees; trees that have an estimated value to the economy, ecosystems and society of over £700 million.

As we look ahead to 2026, Action Oak will be recruiting a Research Co-ordinator who will be key to defining the roadmap for future oak research.  We will also be launching the first UK report dedicated to a single tree species: The State of the UK's Oaks Report.

Action Oak exists to bring together the right people to protect our oaks for future generations; through communication and collaboration we truly are making a difference.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Action Oak community for their hard work and I look forward to meeting many of you in 2026 at one of our events.

Geraint Richards, Chair of Action Oak