Growth and fruition of a pathology research community: the Dothistroma story

Summary This special issue of Forest Pathology focuses on Dothistroma needle blight and showcases the collaborative work of a global community of Dothistroma researchers on the pathogens, hosts and environmental effects on this disease. The growth of the Dothistroma community from its humble beginnings ten years ago, to a consortium of scientists from 41 countries facilitated by a European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action, is outlined here. Key achievements of the group and highlights of articles in this special issue are summarized. There is much research still to be done, but the collaborative work of this community will continue and also extend beyond Dothistroma to many other areas of forest pathology.