ash tree disease

stable doors
bolted
horses
shut
after
re-arrange these words to make a well known saying.
If it weren't so potentially calamitous (cf foot and mouth - similar strategy) it would be laughable.
DEFRA need culling

Sorry

You are?

'Experts' getting it wrong again . But if the fungal disease can be spread by birds or the spores can be airborne, what could the government have done anyway? Banning imports of ash trees might have slowed down the pace of the spread, but I wonder if it would really have prevented it spreading in the slightly longer term.

Of course, it's just an indication of how wacky our society can sometimes be when importing native trees is cheaper than just growing them from our own seed. When I have thoughts like that, I'm really glad that I'm an optimist.

Jodi The government has known about this devastating fungal disease for three years. The ash trees in Denmark were being killed off at an alarming rate in 2009. For some reason, the Forestry Commission decided it was an indigenous disease and therefore banning ash imports was pointless. In fact, this country was completely clear of it. Now, they're taking action when the damage has begun.

That's very cryptic carbon. Do you mean in three years time most of our ash trees will be gone?

three years

I've got two beautiful big ash trees at the end if my garden. I'd hate to lose them.

I think it is an EU thing. Govt would have to go to some trouble to plead a special case. Ireland? Are you listening?
It has certainly been rampaging in parts of Europe.
Mind you, if it is that near, quite possible that birds could bring spores over. A lot of birds come here from n europe at this time of year, and where do they land... It is a depressing thought though - 1/3 of our woodland could disappear.

In Australia they ban all food substances and plants into the country brought in by visitors to avoid such a problem. They're incredibly strict about it and very polite at the same time. Why the heck haven't we been doing that here? Our lot just bury their heads in the sand and jump about and act surprised when the inevitable occurs. Makes me mad

Am I right that this disease has been here and known about for about two years? Why weren't imports stopped then?

It does seem a bit mad.... no, a lot mad... if we are imprting ash trees. I spend quite a lot of time yanking ash seedlings out of my garden. I'd have a forest in no time otherwise, what with ash, sycamore and birch... not to mention wild plum, bird cherry and holly.

If the disease doesn't spread to here I'll set up in business re-stocking the UK.

There is a kind of ornamental ash - we have a lot here in MK. Smaller leaves and they go a stunning burgundy right now.
But if they are importing native ash, well what the flip is that about? How hard are they go grow, really. Is it EU rules maybe?
What do we pay all those suits in DEFRA for? Unlike some countries we seem to have no concept of biosecurity at all.
Ash is , i believe, the second commonest UK tree after oak. If they all die - and we saw it with Elm, there will be a huge impact on landscape.

I don't understand it either gma it's madness. When will they ever learn?

I heard on the BBC news that this disease was brought into the country on imported Ash trees. Am I hearing correctly? Ash trees imported into the UK, surely we have enough of our own already!!!! Can anybody enlighten me?