UK Ash Collecting Project (Legacy)
Surveying and collecting seed, tissue samples and field data from UK ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) demonstrating tolerance of ash die back disease. This project has now concluded.
Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is the third most common tree species in the UK and of enormous economic and biodiversity importance, with an estimated social and environmental value of £230 million a year in Great Britain alone.
Unfortunately, the species faces an unprecedented threat – ash dieback disease (ADB), caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which it is predicted will cause the death of up to 90% of ash trees in the UK. A small proportion of trees have shown tolerance of ADB, however, and collecting seed and other genetic material from these trees is now a priority.
This project enhanced and expanded the research value of the genetically and geographically diverse collections of ash already conserved through the UK National Tree Seed Project (UKNTSP).
This was achieved through a combination of targeted collecting from trees displaying tolerance to ADB and surveying the health of previously sampled trees. This project initially focused on eastern areas of England where ADB has been established for several years.
We also raised awareness of our seed collections and data within the research and conservation community, and increased public understanding of tree health threats and the role that Kew can play in responding to these threats.
In collaboration with the Programmes and Learning team at Wakehurst, this project created a tree health education programme to be offered as part of the schools learning programme at Wakehurst and Kew Gardens, complemented by GCSE and A level tree health research competitions using Kew’s Endeavour platform.
- Collect seed, tissue and associated data from at least 70 female trees showing tolerance to ash dieback in seven target areas in eastern England.
- Collect tissue and associated data from at least 70 male trees showing tolerance to ash dieback in seven target areas in eastern England.
- Survey the health of the maternal trees sampled from for 16 of the UKNTSP ash collections made in eastern England.
- Raise awareness of the project data and collections and make them available to the conservation and research communities.
- Integrate tree health within the schools learning programme at Wakehurst and Kew Garden and launch GCSE and A level tree health research competitions on Kew’s Endeavour platform.
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