Christmas Trees Under Threat

British ash trees have been under attack from a fungal disease called Ash Die Back for some time now. But did you know the traditional Christmas tree is facing the threat of a tree condition too? ‘Current season needle necrosis’ is an aggressive tree disease and it’s killing lots of the popular Nordmann fir trees or making them un-saleable.

Current season needle necrosis is hitting up to half of UK Christmas tree farms’ crops.  It turns its needles yellow then brown before they drop off completely. The Nordmann fir is one of Europe’s most popular Christmas trees. There’s no need to worry about a lack of supply, but it’s the growers who are losing money.

What Causes Current Season Needle Necrosis?

No one really knows for sure what causes this condition.  It’s a fungus of some sort, possibly Sydowia polyspora, but nothing is certain.

It’s thought that Britain’s recent warm, wet summers may be responsible. But herbicides which strip off the protective wax on the fir needles could also be to blame.  As recently as 2010, the condition was a rarity, but it is now wreaking havoc amongst hundreds of thousands of trees. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association are looking into what’s behind it and how to prevent it.

Tips on Buying a Christmas Tree

It should be fairly obvious if a tree is suffering from current season needle necrosis because you’ll notice the needles. But it is a good idea to check how fresh the tree is before you take it home. Take note of any needs going yellow or brown and run your hand over the lower branches to check whether any of the needles are coming off easily. Look for flexible branches and needles that don’t fall off and you should have a fresh tree.

For helpful advice on all things tree related, contact T.H. Tree Services.

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