News: June 2005

Gardeners are being warned that with the change in climate expected over the next 50 years, we should think twice about the types of tree we plant now.

Temperature rises of three degrees are expected over the next 50 years in Britain, which, together with a drop in annual rainfall, could lead to a more Mediterranean climate here. Some trees, like Beech (Fagus sylvatica), are likely to suffer in this new climate. Trees like willows and poplars, which can often cope with drier soils and conditions at the moment, may be restricted to wetter habitats in the future. The RHS are advising people to think carefully about the trees they plant now but warn against over-reaction: it's no good planting a tree now for a Mediterranean climate in 50 years time if it wont last the intervening years.

Anon. Trees in a changing climate. http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/research/climate_change/trees.asp on June 21st 2005.