Ash tree genome sequenced for first time

By Mark Kinver Environment reporter, BBC News

                      The issue of biosecurity is set to become increasingly important to prevent alien invasive pathogens entering the UK habitat

The genome of the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) has been sequenced for the first time – an important step in the battle against ash dieback disease.

Researchers, writing in Nature, found UK ash trees seemed to have more tolerance than Danish trees, which were devastated by the fungal pathogen.

The disease reached the UK’s wider environment in October 2012. Read more.