§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the health of trees in(a) urban areas and (b) countryside areas.
§ Mr. BaldryIn 1989 the Forestry Commission, with funding from the Department, carried out a survey of 3,600 urban trees in 30 towns and cities throughout England. A total of 80 per cent. of the trees were judged to be in good condition, visually improving the urban landscape.
Evidence that the atmosphere in British towns and cities is now more conducive to healthy tree growth is the much greater range of tree species successfully cultivated in urban areas.
A detailed survey carried out by the Forestry Commission shows that there has been no overall deterioration in the health of trees in the countryside. During the period 1989–90 the main tree species in Britain either improved or remained the same.
Current scientific evidence suggests that the status of tree health in Britain is mainly influenced by the climate, insect pests and diseases, rather than pollution. Trees have been affected by the storms in 1987 and 1990, the recent mild winters and late frosts, dry summers, and pest numbers which have increased. We are also aware of the considerable damage that has been caused to both urban and countryside trees by the use of salt for keeping roads free from ice during the winter months of 1990–91.
Research on the health of trees is continuing on a number of fronts; for example, new light will be shed on 394W the state of urban trees by the Department's forthcoming research project "Trees in Towns", and the United Kingdom Terrestrial Effects Review Group report on "Air Pollution and Trees in the United Kingdom".