Tree Diseases, Fungal Invasions & Plant Biosecurity
How invasive fungal and fungus-like pathogens spread between continents, what they do to forests and urban trees, and how surveillance and biosecurity can slow them.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Tree Diseases, Fungal Invasions & Plant Biosecurity
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This course examines one of the most visible consequences of global trade for nature: the spread of tree pathogens to new continents. You begin with historic epidemics such as chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease, which reshaped forests and landscapes, and more recent examples such as ash dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. From these cases you draw out common patterns: hosts with no history of contact with a pathogen, movement of plants and wood through trade, and slow detection. You then study the pathways by which pathogens travel, including nursery stock, wood packaging and natural spread, and the role of climate in their establishment.
The practical modules help you recognize symptoms in the field, collect suitable samples and understand how laboratory diagnostics, including molecular tests, confirm an identification. You learn how surveillance programs and citizen reporting contribute to early warning, and why some important pathogens, such as Phytophthora species, are oomycetes rather than true fungi yet are managed alongside them. The final module covers practical biosecurity for nurseries, arborists and woodland managers, as well as resistance breeding and recovery planning. The course suits arborists, foresters, plant health inspectors and nursery professionals. Sessions are taught live by specialists. For the final project, each student writes a biosecurity plan for a nursery, estate or urban tree population.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as forestry, arboriculture and urban greening, plant health and biosecurity, horticulture and nurseries.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:
How invasive fungal and fungus-like pathogens spread between continents, what they do to forests and urban trees, and how surveillance and biosecurity can slow them.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Lessons from Historic Tree Epidemics; Pathways: Trade, Nurseries and Natural Spread.
- Put them into practice: Key Invasive Pathogens of Trees Today; Recognizing Symptoms and Sampling Trees.
- Apply everything to a real case: Surveillance, Diagnostics and Early Warning; Biosecurity Practice, Resistance Breeding and Recovery.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain why introduced pathogens can devastate naive tree hosts.
- Identify the main pathways by which tree pathogens spread.
- Recognize symptoms of major invasive tree diseases and sample correctly.
- Describe how surveillance and diagnostics support early warning.
- Write practical biosecurity measures for a nursery or tree population.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Arborists, foresters, plant health inspectors and nursery professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of trees or plant biology is recommended. No prior knowledge of mycology is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Arborist or tree officer
- Forester or woodland manager
- Plant health inspector
- Nursery production or compliance manager
- Research assistant in forest pathology
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lessons from Historic Tree Epidemics | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Pathways: Trade, Nurseries and Natural Spread | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Key Invasive Pathogens of Trees Today | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Recognizing Symptoms and Sampling Trees | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Surveillance, Diagnostics and Early Warning | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Biosecurity Practice, Resistance Breeding and Recovery | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease
- Ash dieback and recent epidemics
- Common patterns behind invasions
- Plants for planting and nursery trade
- Wood, packaging and other pathways
- Natural spread and the role of climate
- Invasive ascomycetes on broadleaves and conifers
- Phytophthora and other fungus-like pathogens
- Rusts and emerging threats
- Reading crown, bark and root symptoms
- Distinguishing pathogens from other stress
- Taking and sending samples correctly
- How surveillance programs work
- Laboratory and molecular diagnostics
- Citizen science and reporting tools
- Hygiene for nurseries and arborists
- Tolerant trees and resistance breeding
- Replanting and landscape recovery
5.3Company placement
This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A biosecurity plan for a nursery, estate or urban tree population, covering risks, hygiene, surveillance and response.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your instructor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and identification and case exercises after each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your instructor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrollment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Tree Diseases, Fungal Invasions & Plant Biosecurity?
Basic knowledge of trees or plant biology is recommended. No prior knowledge of mycology is required.
How is Tree Diseases, Fungal Invasions & Plant Biosecurity taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and identification and case exercises after each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
What is the final project?
A biosecurity plan for a nursery, estate or urban tree population, covering risks, hygiene, surveillance and response.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Tree Diseases, Fungal Invasions & Plant Biosecurity?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).