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
The Duchy of Cornwall has announced that Will Bax will take over from Alastair Martin as Secretary and Keeper of the Records at the Duchy of Cornwall when he steps down from the role in Autumn 2024.
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The Duchy of Cornwall has today published it Integrated Annual Report which summarises activity on the Duchy of Cornwall estate for the year ended 31st March 2024.
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The Duchy of Cornwall has revealed its achieved Gold Carbon Literate Organisation status, after over half of its employees have become individually certified as Carbon Literate by The Carbon Literacy Project. The news follows the Duchy sharing its ongoing work with agricultural tenants to bring down the Estate’s emissions in order to achieve net zero by the early 2030s.
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