Tree disease’s digital future

Published on 08/03/2013 12:28

Scientists working to protect the UK’s ash trees from a deadly fungus are building a computer programme capable of predicting the spread of the disease.

Ash dieback, caused by the Chalara fraxinea fungus, has been found at 391 UK sites.

Researchers from Edinburgh University have joined colleagues from Europe to work on a computer model that will monitor and predict the course of the disease.

The work follows a £2.4 million funding award from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.