Every garden at risk from tree disease

Published on Sunday 7 December 2008 20:29

A DISEASE that wiped out thousands of oak trees in California could spread to every garden in the UK within two decades unless urgent action is taken, leading conservation charities have warned.

The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have written to the Scottish and UK governments to warn about the potential impact of a disease known as Sudden Oak Death.

The condition has mainly affected rhododendrons so far in Scotland, but was recently discovered in blaeberry plants on the Isle of Arran, and there are fears it could spread to the country's iconic heather, and attack trees such as oaks.

The charities have also warned the disease, Phytophthora kernoviae, could have a knock-on impact on tourism.

Ian Wright, the National Trust's lead adviser on Phytophthora, said: "It has been estimated that within 20 years, this plant disease could be in every garden in the UK and have a severe impact on our lowland and upland heath."

Jan Haenraets, head of gardens and designed landscapes at the National Trust for Scotland said:

"This would have a serious knock-on effect for the environment and local economies."