Elm population in disease threat

If found to be infected the trees are felled and burned

More than 300,000 trees on the Isle of Man are in danger of being cut down as the island suffers its worst ever attack of Dutch Elm Disease.

Warmer, wetter weather brought about by climate change is thought to be partly responsible for its rapid spread.

Symptoms include yellow leaves and withered branches. It has affected more than 20 million elm trees in the UK since 1970.

Infected trees will be cut and burned to prevent the disease spreading.

Douglas Chalk, Arboricultural officer, said: "We have noticed a substantial increase in the spread of Dutch Elm Disease and it's quite worrying because about a quarter of our broad leaf trees are elms of some sort."

Dutch elm first came to the isle of man in the 1990s. Since then about 1000 have been felled.

Phil Gawne, forestry minister said: "We have a very significant population of elms on the island.

"The disease hasn't been as widespread as it has been in other parts of the British Isles, so we are very lucky to have retained a percentage of our trees.

"If it did take hold we would see a marked change in the landscape as there is something like 300,000 of these elm trees here - so it's hugely important we make sure we control it."