Letter of the week Trees in crisis
IN our predominantly urbancentric country, killing badgers to control TB stirs up emotions, whereas the dire threats our native trees face is hardly news. Oak, ash and horse chestnut are under huge threat and larch has already been cleared. Our biosecurity is lamentable, which is why we have ash dieback and the oak processionary moth attacking our trees. Friends in Canada are distraught at the spread of the emerald ash borer (Town & Country, October 26) and, although it is possible to treat it, the cost is very high. No doubt the same will happen here and, in Devon, 20%–30% of our trees are ash. Politicians need to wake up to the disaster on our doorstep. Planting rates are well below what the Government pledged and, as we marvel at the autumn leaves, we must ask if our children will do so in years to come. Christopher D. Forrest, Devon