Q: Why is tree health so important?
A: Trees, woodlands and forests are sometimes called, ‘the lungs of our planet’. As well as providing oxygen they also deliver numerous other environmental, social and economic benefits. Imagine a world without any trees! It is so important that our trees remain healthy.
Q: What is one thing individuals can do to promote tree health.
A: We should all be very careful not to introduce pests or diseases into the UK or spread them around the country. This can be avoided by not bringing back plant material from overseas and practicing good biosecurity at home by cleaning vehicles, footwear and tools.
Q: What are the most common tree diseases to come across?
A: Although mature elms have largely been lost from our landscape, you will still spot young elms dying in hedgerows from this disease. Of current concern is Ash Dieback and you may well notice many an ash tree with fewer leaves, or none at all, as this disease takes hold.
Q: How do you spot tree diseases?
A: Exactly identifying particular diseases can be very tricky but symptoms often include discoloured, or a loss of, foliage, fungal growth on the wood or bleeding stems. For more information on identifying tree diseases DEFRA’s Plant Health Portal and the Forestry Commission’s website are good resources.
Q: What should you do if you think your tree has a tree disease?
A: Check the symptoms and try to identify the disease. Perhaps get specialist advice. You can also take photos of a suspected diseased tree and report it on the Tree Alert website
Every member of staff of the Duchy of Cornwall has had the opportunity to become ‘carbon literate’ as part of the Duchy’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability and our application for status as a Carbon Literate Organisation.
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Exceptionally, last year the Duchy reported a fall in the income generated for The Duke of Cornwall. That £1.83million reduction, a fall of 8.2%, has been reversed this year, and the surplus generated this year is £23.0million, an improvement on the last “normal” year (2019/20). This includes a record spend on property repairs...
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The Duchy has published a full report of greenhouse gas emissions, both from its operations (Scopes 1 and 2) and its full value chain (Scope 3).
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