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Tracey Bull

In 2022, the Plant Health Advisory team answered over 20,000 enquiries from RHS members alone. Underpinning this unique service, scientific research is conducted to enhance the detection, identification and management of plant health issues

What do you do?

I provide personalised plant health advice to RHS members, offering clear guidance and scientifically informed explanations to help them understand and resolve plant problems. While also encouraging members to develop their own diagnostic skills and confidence in plant care. Alongside this I contribute to maintaining and improving the RHS Advisory webpages, ensuring they remain a trusted, accessible resource.

As a passionate gardener and plant health advisor, I aim to draw on my experience and knowledge to provide helpful, tailored responses to members’ enquiries, supporting them in getting the very best from their gardens.

Why is your team’s research important?

As part of the Plant Health team, I help respond to member enquiries about wildlife in the wrong place and diseases, placing us in a unique position to monitor and identify emerging threats to UK gardens and the wider environment allowing us to protect biodiversity and safeguard the landscape. Each year, we record approximately one to two new disease reports and identify one to two newly introduced invertebrates from UK gardens. Beyond monitoring, we play a vital role in translating cutting-edge science into practical advice, sharing knowledge with RHS members and the public to promote resilient, healthy gardens.
 

Projects I’m working on now

  • Researching and updating plant disease and biodiversity profiles to keep our online resources accurate, relevant, and accessible
  • Designing and implementing a new documentation system for the Members’ Advisory Service

Completed projects

New web profiles for: Mulberry leaf spot, Veronica (Hebe) leaf diseases, Witches’ brooms, Heartwood Fungi and Saprophytic Fungi
 

Achievements

Delivered Hilltop Live talks as a regular presenter
 

Publications

Bull T (2022) Get to know corvids. The Garden, (January), p41
Bull T (2023) Welcome woodpeckers. The Garden, (March), p73
Bull T (2023) Turn your turf naturally green. The Garden, (September), p69

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.