A team of researchers linked to the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) at FABI attended the biennial Forest Science Symposium held at Hilton College in the Natal Midlands on the 29th and 30th July. This important forestry research event is organised by the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and provided TPCP team members with an opportunity to meet with forestry research colleagues from various other institutions in South Africa and to share various aspects of TPCP research. In this regard, Prof Jolanda Roux presented research findings on important disease problems threatening South African plantations and Prof Bernard Slippers outlined some of the major insect threats to these plantations, also showing progress made in developing biological control for them.  Various students in the team presented posters summarising aspects of their research. Tea and lunch breaks made for excellent opportunities to plan collaborative research.

The photograph shows (Clockwise from top) Iain Thompson (consultant), Julian Chan (ICFR), Craig Norris (NCT), Bernard Slippers (TPCP/FABI), Jolanda Roux (TPCP/FABI) and Andrew Morris (ICFR) in a meeting to discuss opportunities to control the new Acacia mearnsii rust disease that appeared in plantations for the first time in 2014. More photos can be seen in the gallery.