The Conference on "Recent Advances on Oak Health in Europe" comprised three scientific sessions and a field-based element. The different sessions saw papers on the health situation of oak stands, mainly in Europe given; the influence of environmental conditions on opportunities to grow oaks discussed and the limitations resulting from the development of diseases and insect pests presented. Overall, in the course of 2 days, som 96 participants from 18 European countries and the USA were on either the presenting or receiving ends of a total of 28 papers and 18 posters. The results presented indicate that a steady increase in the proportion of oaks with damaged crowns has been observable throughout Europe for more than 10 years now. While it is true that the most recent period of several years has witnessed a decrease in mortality among trees, oak stand continue to display impaired vitality. In the case of the appearance of unfavourable weather conditions, it is possible to anticipate a repetition of the wave of enhanced decline. Indeed, the weather anomalies such as droughts, floods, severe frosts and gales so frequent in the last decade are the main factors predisposing trees to attack by detrimental organisms able to take advantage of the weakening of trees. It has also been noted that the phenomenon of oak decline is above all seen on very compacted or excessively-sandy soils, and hene at sites not well-suited to their growth. In such situation, the state of health of trees may be improved by melioration measures that take away spring excesses of water while allowing for its retention during the growing season. In European countries, the insects capable of bringing about defoliation play an important role in reducing the vitality of trees. In the most recent period has also seen an increase in the damage done to oaks by wood-borer beetles (Agrilus spp.), the populations of which seem to be increasing steadily. So, methods by which to predict threats should account not only for the size of insect populations, but also for local environmental and climatic conditions. Furthermore, root rot fungi may also be co-participants in the syndrome of tree dieoff (honey fungus Armillaria bulbosa - a pathogen affecting weakened trees - and the fungus Collybia fusipes which may attack fully-healthy trees).
