The Forestry Commission is urging industry
to be vigilant for signs of ash dieback and report suspected sightings through
its Tree Alert reporting
system.
The call comes after
three new tree and shrub species in the same family as ash (Oleaceae) tested positive for ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) infection at the Westonbirt Arboretum,
Gloucestershire.
The findings are
unlikely to have a significant impact on the environment as the newly infected
species are ornamental and are not widespread or native to the UK.
The infection was
identified by staff at the arboretum on mock privet, narrow-leaved mock privet
and white fringetree – ornamental trees and shrubs from the Mediterranean and
North America. The species were found in close proximity to infected ash trees.
Forest Research, Great Britain’s
principal organisation for forestry and tree related research, is conducting
further tests on the nature of the infection. This includes monitoring other
species in the Oleaceae family for susceptibility to H. fraxineus infection. A number of these species have already
been tested including Osmanthus and Lilac, but were found to be negative.
UK Chief Plant
Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spence, said: “Since 2012, the Government has
invested more than £6 million into ash dieback research. These findings
highlight the importance of the Forestry Commission’s reporting system, Tree Alert, and of arboreta
and other plant collections, which play crucial roles in supporting the UK’s
world-leading plant health sector.
“Landscapers,
gardeners and tree practitioners should be vigilant for signs of ash dieback on
these new host species, and report suspicious findings through Tree Alert.
Over the last five
years the Government has invested in world-leading research to advance
understanding of the biology and pathology of the disease, including sequencing
the ash genome and the ash dieback fungus. It has also funded the world’s
largest screening trial for tolerant trees, raising the possibility of an ash
breeding programme in the future.
In May the
Environment Secretary launched the first Tree Health Resilience Strategy – the
first major publication to come out of the 25-Year
Environment Plan. The strategy sets out a new proactive approach to tree
health, with landowners, charities, the public and government working together
to take actions to build resilience against pests and diseases to protect the
nation’s trees.
As part of this
approach, a new senior cross-industry Plant Health Alliance to strengthen
biosecurity practices across industry has been established.
Arboreta also
continue to play a critical role in supporting work on ash dieback. Research by
Forest Research has identified
over 30 different ash species being grown in the main arboreta of Britain which
will be used in trials to assess tolerance of these species to ash dieback.
Defra
and the Forestry Commission continue
to work with landowners and local councils, as well as the plant health sector
internationally, to share experiences, identify solutions and develop action
plans to deal with the impacts of ash dieback.
