Professors Brett Hurley and Irene Barnes of the Tree-Protection Co-Operative Programme (TPCP), assisted by TPCP Diagnostic Clinic manager Dr Wilma Nel, joined forestry representatives from TWK, SAPPI, Mondi, and Sunshine Seedlings to investigate the sudden decline of Eucalyptus clones being observed in parts of Mpumalanga. The field visits, organized by representatives of TWK, had the team in the compartments looking for signs of root, pathogen, or pest problems that could be responsible for the decline. Many samples were taken and brought to the TPCP Diagnostic Clinic for thorough screening and determination of potential pathogen problems.

A big thank you goes out to Johan Nel from TWK, Izette Greyling from Mondi, Jolanda Roux from SAPPI, and Erich Jacobs from Sunshine seedlings for organizing the visit and leading their expertise. A big thank you also goes out the all the other members of TWK and Mondi that attended the visit and assisted with all the collections in the field.