Imports of Oak trees from Europe is being clamped.

Heard a bit on todays 30/8/18 news about imports of young oak trees from Europe is being clamped down on, due to diseases.

I am of course fully aware that all sorts of pests and diseases can travel on the wind etc. I have been concerned for some time regarding the laxity of Britains plant imports from the continent. Especially as the EU is very fond of laying the law down regarding our horticultural methods etc.

 

I find it amazing that we even have to import oak trees in the first place, they are one of the simplest trees to grow, even self seed so easily.

 

Yes I agree. I was shocked to learn that the horticultural trade had been importing ash seedlings to the UK....and bringing with it Ash Dieback Disease. Now the practice is banned of course but why ever were they being imported in the first place when they are weeds across large parts of southern England?

 

Closing gate once horse has bolted...

 

Well, on second thoughts there are a few varieties of Oak I guess that need to be propagated by grafting, likewise most trees, must admit I was thinking of it as being mostly the species.
But no reason why nurseries here cant propagate them from existing stock.

But having said that I always remember when they planted a so called millenium wood not far from me back in, guess when 2000.
They were asking people to sponsor a tree, which kind of seemed strange to me.
Why not get people to grow saplings and let them plant them, controlled of course.

I just think it's more about business rather than much else.

 

I think you are right Pete. Like with most things. It comes down to money. Perhaps on a slightly different aspect. I feel that people might have more respect and care when they have played some part in, for instance contributing toward a woodland etc.

 

So nice to share a passion for trees with you MF. I believe Quercus was introduced to Britain from China. Probably you are better placed than me on this point. As history will indicate, Oaks at one time were grown to vast quantities, especially in the South of England. Purpose being to provide massive ongoing timber for ship building. Time has passed and ships are now massive hunks of steel, so demand has dwindled.

Tree growing, fair to say, worldwide, now has become a very rich business. Most forests etc now have forsakethe sturdy oak and now, as forests are cleared they are replanted with fast growing conifers. Man's management!! or perhaps, mis-management. I cringe when I hear chainsaws buzzing away. I loathe people whogo through life, destroyin, cutting down, killing simply because they don't like it. Trees are so vital to mankinds wellbeing.

 

If I had had land I would have planted trees.
But i'd probably be more one to err on the side of less known and more exotic ones.

Being a user of timber, I tend to sometimes wonder at the amount of tree cutting that is going on in the world.
Most appears to be from old forest that will never be replaced.
They say they replant, but it will never match what they are cutting now, or have been for many years.

 

Seen about 100 lorrys loads go past the front door this winter

 

If its from plantations, to my mind, not a problem.
I just hate natural forest being destroyed.

 

The woods around here are being raided, tis been going on for the last few years, we need wood pellets for the power stations as the wood is tax free and you get sub's to replant a good way of making money
funny thing is it's the middle of the wood that gets cleared and they leave a few around the edge's