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.
To report a suspected case of ash dieback in any of these newly
identified host species, visit the Tree Alert portal.
