New campaign launched to protect Britain’s oaks

A NEW campaign to protect the UK’s oak trees from threats including pests and diseases has been launched at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Complete with celebrity backing, the Action Oak Partnership – made up of charities, environmental organisations and landowners – aims to raise £15 million for research and monitoring to help safeguard the 121 million oaks in UK woodlands. Lord Gardiner, Biosecurity Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), officially launches the campaign today.

Work will include getting a detailed picture of the current health of oaks trees and helping to gain a better understanding of how to preserve them for decades to come.

The campaign contributes to the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan, which was launched by Prime Minister Theresa May in January.

Action Oak has many supporters including The Prince of Wales, Dame Judi Dench, and Emma Bridgewater – who has created a bespoke mug which will go on sale later this year, with a portion of the proceeds going towards Action Oak research.

Lord Gardiner said: “Protecting our country from pests and diseases, so our trees and plants can thrive in the future, is a priority for this Government and we are proud to be backing this campaign.”

The Action Oak Partnership includes the Woodland Trust, Woodland Heritage, National Trust, the Duchy of Cornwall, Forest Research, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, the Forestry Commission and the Northern Ireland Forest Service, and is supported by Defra, and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments.