Tree disease outbreak points to the need for more research
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Chalara fraxinea, the fungus which causes leaf loss and crown dieback and can lead to ash tree death, is just the latest in an unfortunately growing list of pests and diseases to affect UK trees. Chalara fraxinea is widespread in Europe, from Russia, as far west as northern Spain, and from Italy and northern Turkey in the south, to Sweden, Finland and Norway in the north. One estimate suggests that up to 90% of ash trees are infected in Denmark. With the disease now established in UK woodlands both in the wild and from the use of imported planting stock, the challenge to mitigate against its spread and to find research solutions to the problem is pressing.
Dr. Steve Woodward, a Trustee of The Scottish Forestry Trust and researcher at the University of Aberdeen, specialises in plant diseases, particularly those affecting trees. He has been at the forefront of research into tree pests and diseases for 30 years and has recently been advising Government on the Chalara outbreak. Dr. Woodward said: "Ash is a very significant component in our woodlands and hedgerows, and is common in parks and large gardens. Being native to the UK, it provides habitat for numerous other organisms, including fungi, insects, and birds; bats nest in cavities in ash too, so it is very important both ecologically and environmentally.
"It is extremely difficult to stop the disease spreading once it is established. The only glimmer of light on the horizon comes from work in Scandinavia which showed that ash from different provenances included a few genotypes that proved to be resistant, so there is a possibility there will be some trees left in the UK if Chalara spreads widely, but we are talking tiny numbers really”.
" With so many tree diseases on the horizon, we really need to be on the front foot in terms of research and that means finding additional funding if we are going to be able to avoid a significant loss of some of the most iconic tree species in the UK. ''
The Scottish Forestry Trust is the UK’s leading private sector charity supporting research and education in forestry. Trust Director Bob Stubbs said “The Trust is already actively supporting research on Dothistroma septosporum, a disease affecting Scots pine, but we need to find funds to do more. Our resources are limited but we would very much welcome donations to help us to fight these threats to the UK’s forests and woodlands”.
Further information on how to help The Scottish Forestry Trust by making a donation can be obtained from Bob Stubbs