How tree health is protected in Scotland

Why tree health is important

Healthy trees, forests and woodlands provide us with lots of ecological, social and economic benefits. 

Pests and diseases are an important and natural part of environmental cycles. 

However, lots of factors can worsen the impact of pests or diseases. For example:

• some trees may be genetically predisposed to infections
• damage to protective bark (caused by browsing or machinery) releases chemical signals that attract pests or diseases to the wound site, where infection is now easier
• environmental stress, such as drought or waterlogging, can increase risk of infection while weakening tree defences
• low species and genetic diversity helps pests or diseases adapt and overcome those defences
  • this is a bit like using the same simple password for lots of different accounts - helping hackers to steal your information

These factors are well known to foresters, who use lots of different techniques to mitigate them in line with the UK Forestry Standard. 

These include:

• training staff and contractors
• managing deer
• matching tree species and genetic provenances to local site types 

The UK Forestry Standard (5th edition)

The way we live has increased opportunities for the introduction of new pests and diseases to Great Britain.

Consider the way we now purchase different types of goods online.  

This means we are transporting a greater volume and variety of commodities straight to the consumers door.  

It is much harder to check if these goods are from safe pest free places or to trace them if a pest or disease is found.

With that, the risk of new pests and diseases increases.

Our trees also can’t adapt their defences quickly enough. At the same time, they are more susceptible, being under increased environmental stress.

As a result, we are seeing more outbreaks of pests and diseases that are also more severe. Impacts include:

• higher tree mortality
• poorer timber quality
• more safety risks

We all have a role to play to stop, contain, or manage these impacts and keep our forests healthy.

Own or manage woodlands?

Discover ways to prevent and prepare for tree pests and diseases.

Prevent pests and diseases

Visiting woodlands? 

Learn more about biosecurity and resources for tree pest and disease identification.

Protect trees – report pests and disease