Ash Dieback PhD

This project aims to develop methods which allow the study of infection processess by the ash dieback pathogen, leading on to an understanding of the factors that influence infection and potentially change the likelihood of H. fraxineus being limited to leaves, or progressing into shoots and stems to cause dieback. A longer term aim is to apply these methods to validate tolerance levels in individuals of F. excelsior/ other ash species identified through screening programmes. Additionally, the interaction of ash dieback with Armillaria will be explored, on a temporal and spatial basis, to inform our understanding of whether ash dieback trees are more prone to invasion by Armillaria and by which species, and whether this could have a wider effect on the health of other woodland tree species such as oak which may also be vulnerable to Armillaria during decline episodes.