Trees have always been an indicator of the health of our nation. When we had many varieties, many species and many acres of trees in Victorian times we could say that our nation was at one of its peaks. Similarly in the Elizabethan renaissance times. Yet, whenever we have culled those trees, or they have been otherwise decimated, our nation has suffered the consequences. The reflection is almost immediate. So much so that it is difficult to say which came first – the decline or the cull.
At the moment we are facing more tree deaths. Not, as usual, though new house building, although that is on the increase again. This time it is through another in a chain of terminal diseases affecting our beloved tree population and this time, like the dreaded Dutch Elm disease, it is decimating vast populations of trees.
Is this a natural process? When, in our long history, have we ever recorded such reductions in the population of trees through a virulent disease? Well, Google have kindly accumulated just that data, and here it is:
Source : Google
I think the increase is clear – we are either recording such things more and more, or there is a vast increase in the amount of tree diseases around in modern times.
According to this article in the Telegraph, some 60,000 trees have had to be chopped down or marked for felling due to the disease “sudden oak death”, a disease originating from America which has thankfully spared our beloved ancient oaks. In our country it has been larch and rhododendron that has been affected.
I have seen evidence of this myself on the hillsides around where I live. Rhododendrons have been cleared away from paths to stop the spread of the disease.
Yet oaks have also got problems. They are currently being affected by a blight that is killing them off too.
This is all terribly sad, and I believe it is a reflection of how little we care for trees as a society these days. If we turn our thoughts around to help our beautiful and bountiful neighbours – the trees – then they will surely flourish again and we will see the recovery of our land along with them.
Gwas.
