This year, UK Christmas trees have been hit with a virulent fungal disease which could threaten entire plantations.
The mysterious disease, known as "current season double needle necrosis" (CSNN), turns needles brown during the summer before they drop off. It is suspected it was imported from the Caucasus in the seeds of Nordmann Firs, the species that accounts for four in five Christmas trees sold in the UK.
Fortunately, few trees have been hit this year, but there has been a reported surge in cases since 2009. As yet, no fungicide has been found to stop it. More that 150 growers so far have been affected, with the majority reporting damage to up to 3% of their stock. In the worst cases, more than 15% of crops have been damaged, with many losing tens of thousands of pounds in lost trees.
This has sparked fears that the price of Christmas trees, which has already risen over the past few years, could increase even further if there are shortages caused by the disease.
Colin Palmer, an advisor to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), has found the disease in some of his own trees growing near Ledbury, Herefordshire. He commented, "The disease is puzzling. It is connected to a fungus, Sydowia polyspora, which has been around for 30 years without a problem. We used to see trees lose their needles after strong sunshine. It was like sunstroke - annoying but not serious. But it has gone from affecting one or two trees to affecting many. For this year we have a very robust market with plenty of trees, but next year could be different."
