Dog Detects Tree Disease to Help Protect Nation’s Woodlands
30 November 2024
A specially trained dog has been deployed to help protect the nation’s woodlands from a devastating tree disease.
The dog, a three-year-old Labrador named Buddy, has been trained to detect the early signs of ash dieback, a fungal disease that has already killed millions of ash trees in the UK.
Buddy is the first dog in the country to be trained to detect ash dieback. He was trained by the charity Plant Health Care UK, which is working with the Forestry Commission to tackle the disease.
Buddy will work alongside forestry workers to survey woodlands for signs of ash dieback. He will be able to detect the disease even before it becomes visible to the human eye.
The early detection of ash dieback is essential to prevent the disease from spreading. Once a tree is infected with ash dieback, it will eventually die.
The Forestry Commission is urging woodland owners and managers to be vigilant for signs of ash dieback. If you see any suspicious symptoms, please report them to the Forestry Commission or Plant Health Care UK.
Symptoms of ash dieback
The symptoms of ash dieback include:
- Yellowing and wilting of leaves
- Death of shoots and branches
- Dieback of the crown
- Cankers on the stem
If you see any of these symptoms, please report them to the Forestry Commission or Plant Health Care UK.
How to help prevent the spread of ash dieback
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent the spread of ash dieback, including:
- Avoid bringing ash trees or ash products into the UK from other countries
- Clean your footwear and clothing before and after visiting woodlands
- Do not move soil or plant material from infected areas
- Report any sightings of ash dieback to the Forestry Commission or Plant Health Care UK
Working together to protect our woodlands
The Forestry Commission and Plant Health Care UK are working together to tackle ash dieback. The deployment of Buddy is a significant step in this effort.
By working together, we can help to protect our nation’s woodlands from this devastating disease.
Dog detects tree disease to help protect nation’s woodlands
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