Invasive pests could cut tree growth by half within 25 years

OUR forests are being devastated by a new invasive pest or disease arriving each year from overseas — and they could halve tree growth by 2050, experts have warned.

- By Stephen Beech

Oak, cherry, pine, larch and spruce trees could all be at risk if stricter bio-control measures are not put in place.

Scientists at Exeter University assessed 636 pests and diseases to work out the invasion probability and likely effects on tree growth.

Difficult

Based on recent rates of pest and disease arrival, they estimated that within 25 years more than half of tree growth could be lost, compared with the growth there would be if no new pests and diseases came from now on.