The Woodland Trust has commented on the latest government publication regarding diseases affecting the nation's trees.

The The government's Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce has published an updated Tree Health Management Plan, alongside a wider Plant Biosecurity Strategy.

Established following the outbreak of ash dieback in the UK in autumn 2012, the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce, made up of a group of expert scientists and chaired by Professor Chris Gilligan of Cambridge University, published a report in May 2013 which made eight recommendations to improve plant and tree health in the UK.

In January 2014 the taskforce published an updated risk register highlighting 700 possible threats to Britain’s trees, plants and crops. The top five pests/diseases that could impact on our trees and woods, but have not yet arrived in the UK, according to the risk register are: emerald ash borer, pine processionary moth, bronze birch borer, fine horned spruce borer and plum leaf scald.

Key points of interest in the updated plan include: The use of healthy planting stock is critical to the biosecurity and resilience of our tree population. Diversity of tree species and genetics within tree species is at the core of woodland adaptation and ensuring resilience in the future.

In line with the Government’s collaborative approach, the Woodland Trust recognises that the public have an important contribution to make in both the effort to identify and report potential threats, and in helping to minimise risks by undertaking measures to avoid their introduction and spread.

Climatic conditions in the UK are unlikely to limit the ability of ash dieback to survive and spread. For example, laboratory tests indicate that pathogen will be suited to the UK climate in terms of temperature (growth is optimal between 15 to 20ºC) and moisture (e.g. rainfall and humidity).

Distribution is estimated to increase by 2018 and continue increasing beyond this with the highest incidences expected in South East, East and South West of England.

Commenting on the updated plan Austin Brady, Woodland Trust Director of Conservation, said: “Dealing with tree pests and diseases is something we need to face over the long term. The emphasis on working harder to identify risks and keep problems out must be balanced with a better focus on managing the impacts of diseases already present. Building wooded landscapes that are more diverse and harness nature’s own resilience is vital for them to bounce back from the inevitable impacts of any problems that slip through the net.”

“We are all affected by the impacts tree pests and diseases have on the cherished landscapes that we live and work in, and enjoy visiting. The Government cannot tackle these issues alone, but the lead they take is crucial to setting the framework for others to help. We are playing our part and pleased to see the Government recognising our contribution in today’s report.”

The Woodland Trust is working to tackle the threats posed by pests & diseases. Working in partnership with Forest Research to plant over 20,000 ash saplings from different parts of the UK, across two Trust woods (Pound Farm in Suffolk and Hucking Estate in Kent) to monitor for genetic resistance to ash dieback.

Establishing a tree procurement programme which will ensure all trees planted by the Woodland Trust and supplied to the public and landowners are of traceable UK origins.

Working in partnership with the Forestry Commission, Forest Research, Defra, Fera and the National Trust on Observatree; a EU Life+ funded project to establish a tree health early warning system. The Woodland Trust has already recruited over 100 volunteers who will help verify potential tree disease cases throughout the UK.

As of 28 April 2014 ash dieback has been confirmed in 644 locations across the UK. 375 cases are in nurseries or newly-planted sites, 269 cases are in mature woodland.