The killer plant disease threatening our forests

SCOTLAND’S ancient forests of oak, sycamore and elm have stood tall and strong for centuries.

But they now face a fight for survival amid the spread of a devastating plant disease.

Conservationists have formed a crisis team to prepare for the threat of the xylella fastidiosa bacteria, which has devastated large swathes of forest and domestic flower beds across Europe.

EU officials describe it as ‘one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide’ – and scientists from Stirling University warn it could make its way here. The bacteria, spread by insects, kills by invading water-conducting systems, restricting or blocking the movement of water and nutrients and so starving the plant to death.

The Forestry Commission says British species at risk include the English oak, red oak, sycamore maple and elm tree.

It warned that xylella could be imported via ‘hosts’ such as grape vines, citrus, coffee and almond plants, lavender and oleander.

If found, government guidelines state that a three-mile ‘buffer zone’ must then be established to stop the further spread of the bacteria. Dr Daniel Chapman, of Stirling’s faculty of natural sciences, is working with nine other research institutions to ensure the UK is ready.

He has prepared models that indicate how xylella might spread here, using computer programs to test the effectiveness of different surveillance and control strategies. The work is part of a £17.7million programme.

The Scottish Government has guaranteed funding of £1.1million to aid the effort.

Dr Chapman said: ‘This new project will improve the UK’s readiness to deal with a potentially destructive xylella outbreak. Xylella is Europe’s top plant health concern, so it is hugely important that the UK is building the scientific capacity to inform our response to this threat.’

Research will focus on how xylella might spread in the UK, either via insect vectors or from the transport of plants by humans.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘It is vital we take all necessary steps to protect Scotland from potential bacterial threats to plants, such as xylella.

‘That is why we are contributing funding to this research project, which will provide evidence to help us be prepared should it arrive in Scotland and allow us to seek to address its impact.’