Drought threatens UK government’s mass forestry scheme

Dried-out leaves on an apple tree following the summer heatwave. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex

The UK government’s tree planting scheme is at risk because of the drought, the chief plant health officer has warned.

Arid conditions have caused heat stress in the young saplings and caused them to become susceptible to disease, Nicola Spence said at the world’s first international plant health conference, held in London on Wednesday.