Tree life
Roger Griffin has kindly sent through this info from the Forestry Commission which may be relevant to you and our environment.
New guidance for ash tree owners
The Tree Council has published guidance to help ash tree owners deal with the effects of ash dieback. The guidance is intended for anyone who may have ash trees on their land and offers practical advice for managing affected ash trees as well as information on your responsibilities. For more information, visit the Tree Council website. We have also collated resources for landowners and managers in our ash dieback signposting guidance.
Responding to the climate emergency with new trees and woodlands
The UK’s climate is changing. Even with very ambitious actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, some further climate change is inevitable up to at least 2050. Well-designed new woodlands not only capture carbon dioxide (CO2) but deliver a wide range of other benefits too. We have produced a new guide to help local authorities and landowning businesses achieve net zero by creating healthy, resilient woodlands.
Public and professionals urged to report oak processionary moth sightings
Oak processionary moth (OPM) caterpillars are an insect pest of oak trees. Caterpillars and nests contain irritating hairs which can cause itchy rashes, as well as eye and throat irritations in humans and animals. The pest is established in London and surrounding counties where an annual control programme limits the spread. The majority of the country is designated a Protected Zone, which means it is free from the pest. If you think you have spotted OPM caterpillars anywhere in England, please report it to the Forestry Commission using the TreeAlert online portal. For more information on how to identify OPM, visit the Forest Research website.
Get involved
2020 marks International Year of Plant Health, a momentous opportunity to celebrate the benefits of healthy plants. Due to coronavirus many events have been postponed or cancelled, but there is still a lot you can do to help keep our trees and plants healthy.
Plants are an incredibly precious resource. They are the source of the air that we breathe, the food we eat and most of our medicines.
Globalisation and trade means the threat to our plants from pests and diseases has never been greater. Government and the plant sector are leading the way in dealing with these threats but we all have a role to play in keeping our plants healthy by practising good biosecurity.
Here are some practical things that you can do to help keep our trees and plants healthy:
Take care of plants at home and in your garden.
Buy your plants from a sustainable and reputable nursery.
Look out for any usual symptoms in your trees and report suspected findings through TreeAlert. More information on tree pests and diseases can be found on the Forestry Commission website.
Clean your boots, bikes and buggies before visiting woods and forests. This will help slow the spread of tree pests and diseases.
When you start travelling again, don't bring back any plant material from abroad. If you do, you could introduce a pest or disease which could have a real impact on our trees and plants.
You can find out more about International Year of Plant Health on the website, including resources and a list of activities taking place during International Year of Plant Health Week (19-27 September 2020).