Threat to English oaks
1 June 2010
Scientists are warning that the English oak is under threat from a new infection.
Little is yet known about Acute Oak Decline (AOD), which was first identified 13 years ago. It causes mature oaks to start bleeding dark fluid from cracks in the bark. The canopy then thins out noticeably and entire branches start dying back. The disease is capable of killing a tree in less than five years. Unlike the fungal disease Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) the main cause of AOD is believed to be a bacterium recently isolated for the first time by researchers.
'We're looking at a disease that has the potential to change our landscape even more than Dutch Elm Disease and nothing is being done about it,' said Peter Goodwin of Woodland Heritage. 'We can't afford a repetition of what happened then. Action is needed now.'
Forestry researchers are calling for urgent funding to find out more about AOD, as the number of reported incidents is now increasing steadily and it's estimated hundreds of trees may be affected.
The Forestry Commission has now issued guidelines on managing AOD, advising woodland owners to monitor the progress of the disease and limit access to infected trees, disinfecting boots, vehicle wheels, machinery and equipment to prevent it spreading. Suspected cases can be reported to Forest Resarch's Disease Diagnostic and Advisory Service by emailing ddas@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.