Report and photos by Carrie Brady, University of the West of England
The annual Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world. It takes place each June across Bristol and Bath and attracts between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors over the festival. The 2026 theme was ‘Trees and Forests’, so my research focus on Acute Oak Decline (AOD) worked well with this year’s festival. My research focuses on interactions between the key bacterial species linked to tissue necrosis, relationships between these bacteria and their oak host, and potential management strategies for mitigating decline.
Becoming an Oak Tree Doctor
To raise awareness of AOD, I created ‘Oak Tree Doctors’. This interactive activity gives families an opportunity to explore the importance of healthy trees, understand the role of plant pathogens, and learn about the complex challenges posed by diseases like AOD. The activity was structured around four themed stations: ‘Meet the Tree’, ‘Meet the Bacteria’, ‘Meet the Beetle’ and ‘Become an Oak Tree Doctor’.
At the centre of the experience was a striking 4-foot wooden oak tree model, designed with tactile and sensory features to represent symptoms of AOD. Children could explore felt and knitted leaves showing crown dieback, observe painted ‘bleeds’ on the bark surface, and open a hidden panel to reveal the inner bark and canker symptoms. 3D-printed microbes placed around the roots introduced the concept of the soil microbiome, while printed models of beetles, larvae, and bacteria helped demonstrate how these different components interact to drive disease progression.
Participants then moved through interactive learning stations focused on microbiology and insect activity. Children sorted illustrated cards showing different bacterial roles onto green (helpful) or red (harmful) mats and discussed how microbes can both support and harm plant health. This activity introduced the idea that bacteria are everywhere and that tree health depends on a balanced microbiome.
To bring the beetle’s role to life, children used wooden log mazes to guide model larvae through ‘galleries’ beneath the bark. Wearing stethoscopes, they could even ‘listen’ to larvae feeding, simulated by gentle tapping from demonstrators. In the final stage, participants applied their new knowledge by diagnosing large images of diseased oak trees. They identified AOD symptoms and selected appropriate management actions, such as improving soil structure through decompaction, enhancing soil health, and monitoring tree condition over time.
Each child was rewarded with an ‘Oak Tree Doctor’ sticker, and families received a small pack of native tree seeds to plant at home. The activity reinforced the key message that healthy woodlands begin with informed and engaged communities, and that everyone can play a role in protecting native tree species.
Over the course of the weekend, around 150 families took part in the activity. The enthusiasm and curiosity shown by participants made it a highly rewarding experience and highlighted the value of hands-on science communication in raising awareness of plant health issues. The team and I are extremely grateful to the BSPP Plant Pathology Promotion Fund for supporting the development and delivery of this activity.
The next phase
Following the success of the ‘Oak Tree Doctors’ activity, plans are already underway to expand its reach. The Tree Health Centre at the Castle Howard Arboretum has expressed interest in replicating the project for future engagement events. This next phase will see the activity adapted for new audiences and settings, helping to further raise awareness of Acute Oak Decline and the importance of tree health in different communities. By building on this momentum, the project has the potential to inspire even more people to engage with plant health and play an active role in protecting the UK’s trees.
