Space For Nature
Garden biodiversity forum
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer

News: February 2004

Spacer
Title image

Concern rising over Sudden Oak Death

Appeared on Space For Nature on 8th February 2004
Spacer
Fears are increasing about the possible impact of the disease 'Sudden Oak Death', which can affect a range of trees and shrubs, after a new resistant strain has been found in Cornwall.
SpacerSpacer
 Details  
Sudden Oak Death, a disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora ramorum, has already taken a terrible toll on woodlands in the USA. To date it has been detected in several locations in the UK, chiefly in the south, including the RHS gardens at Wisley and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The disease affects several species of trees and shrubs including oaks, beech, sweet chestnut and horse chestnut.

The new strain is thought to be untreatable. It is feared that if it gets hold, the damage done by this disease could far outweigh that done by Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s.
SpacerSpacer
 Source  
Mark Townsend. 2004. Silent killer stalks our wooldlands. Viewed on the web at http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1143471,00.html on February 8th 2004.

home Back to home page

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan Do you live in Merseyside? Interested in its wildlife?