Scientists Cut Ash Tree Breeding From 6 Years to 1 Week

A fast-track breeding method could rescue Britain's ash trees from a devastating disease that threatens to wipe out 80 percent of the population.

Scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich have cracked the code on growing disease-resistant ash trees in about one week, slashing a process that normally takes up to six years in nature. The breakthrough comes as ash dieback, a deadly fungus that blocks water transport within trees, continues its march across Britain since first appearing in 2012.

Dr. Elizabeth Orton and her team developed a technique that carefully extracts embryos from ash seeds and places them on nutrient jelly, bypassing the seed's natural dormancy that requires warm and cold cycles. Within two weeks, seedlings are ready for compost, and after ten months in a glasshouse, they can be planted outdoors.

The method has already produced more than 2,000 seedlings for trials and research. These young trees carry genes from the small population of ash trees that have shown natural resistance to the fungus.

The Woodland Trust estimates Britain could lose up to 80 percent of its ash population, making this outbreak one of the most severe tree diseases in modern times. Ash trees play a crucial role in British ecosystems, providing habitat for numerous species and maintaining biodiversity.

The Ripple Effect

The international research community has embraced the discovery with enthusiasm. What makes it even more exciting is its accessibility: Dr. Orton's team is developing a simplified "kitchen method" using common household items like bleach and agar that people can purchase online.

This means conservation volunteers, landowners, and gardening enthusiasts could soon grow disease-resistant ash trees at home. The democratization of this scientific breakthrough could accelerate restoration efforts across the country.

The implications extend far beyond ash trees. Dr. Orton believes this model could protect other keystone species like elm trees facing similar threats.

Climate change has created favorable conditions for pests and pathogens in previously safe locations, while international movement of infected materials spreads diseases faster than ever. This rapid breeding method offers a way to restore natural resistance before it's too late.

The research, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, represents hope in the race against time to save ecologically important tree species.