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New disease threatening England’s native oak trees
30/04/2010
Forestry experts are warning that a mysterious new disease is seriously threatening oak trees in England and could cause even more impact than Dutch elm disease.
Acute oak decline (AOD) causes oak trees to bleed, cuts off their supply of water and nutrients and results in the ancient trees dying within a few years.
The disease was first identified five years ago and has since been found on thousands of trees throughout the country, stretching from the east of England to the south and the midlands. At present scientists are unable to explain the cause of the disease and are concerned at its ability to kill trees so quickly which are decades old.
It has been reported that AOD was one of the main topics discussed at the Royal Forestry Society’s annual conference in Warwickshire.
Peter Goodwin of Woodland Heritage has said that the disease only seems to attack the UK’s native oak species and only trees that are more than 50 years old. He said: “We're looking at a disease that has the potential to change our landscape even more than Dutch elm disease, and nothing is being done about it.“ He went on to say: "We can't afford a repetition of what happened then. Action is needed now."
Acute oak decline (AOD) causes oak trees to bleed, cuts off their supply of water and nutrients and results in the ancient trees dying within a few years.
The disease was first identified five years ago and has since been found on thousands of trees throughout the country, stretching from the east of England to the south and the midlands. At present scientists are unable to explain the cause of the disease and are concerned at its ability to kill trees so quickly which are decades old.
It has been reported that AOD was one of the main topics discussed at the Royal Forestry Society’s annual conference in Warwickshire.
Peter Goodwin of Woodland Heritage has said that the disease only seems to attack the UK’s native oak species and only trees that are more than 50 years old. He said: “We're looking at a disease that has the potential to change our landscape even more than Dutch elm disease, and nothing is being done about it.“ He went on to say: "We can't afford a repetition of what happened then. Action is needed now."
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