Warning: Rhododendrons Threaten Native Wildlife, Warns Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is urging gardeners to avoid purchasing rhododendron ponticum this spring in an effort to curb the spread of deadly tree diseases and protect native wildlife.

The Hidden Dangers of Rhododendrons

Rhododendron ponticum, despite its attractive appearance, poses significant threats to native woodland plants and temperate rainforests in the UK. Classified as an “invasive species,” this plant can devastate large areas of native flora, leading to substantial ecological and economic damage. The cost of managing invasive species, including rhododendron, runs into millions of pounds each year.

Over the past year, the Woodland Trust has spent £360,000 on controlling invasive plants. The removal of rhododendron, which spreads rapidly and suppresses other plant growth, is a laborious and costly process that involves uprooting the plants entirely.

Disease Carriers and Economic Impact

Rhododendron plants imported into the UK carry a high risk of harbouring the deadly disease Phytophthora ramorum. This pathogen is fatal to over 150 plant species and has led to the large-scale felling of larch plantations, impacting the timber industry.

Rebecca Gosling, a tree disease expert at the Woodland Trust, emphasised the urgent need for increased measures against rhododendron ponticum. “Rhododendron ponticum is a real problem for the UK’s native plants and trees. It is choking native woodland and shading out characteristic plants, including in important temperate rainforests which cover just 1% of land in the UK.”

A Call to Action

The Woodland Trust highlights the broader issue of invasive non-native species (INNS), which are responsible for 60% of recorded global species extinctions and 16% of documented animal and plant extinctions. These species, introduced through human activities, have had devastating effects on the environment, population, and economy.

There are currently an estimated 311 invasive species in Great Britain, with the rate of new species establishment rising since 1960. The Trust believes that existing measures are insufficient to prevent the introduction and establishment of these species.

The public is urged to refrain from buying or planting rhododendron ponticum to help protect native wildlife. Together with Wildlife and Countryside Link, the Woodland Trust is calling on the Government to:

• Increase the invasive species biosecurity budget to £3 million.
• Dedicate an additional £3 million to fund a permanent species inspectorate, enhancing the capacity for border inspections to prevent new invasive species from entering the UK.

INNS Week

This call to action comes ahead of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Week, running from 20th to 26th May 2024, aiming to raise awareness about the impact of invasive species and the importance of protecting native biodiversity.

For more information and ways to help, visit the Woodland Trust’s website.