News · 12 May 2026
Simple Chemical Method Could Rescue Britain's Dying Ash Trees
Illustration: AI-generated for editorial context. Not photographic evidence.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich have found a way to germinate disease-resistant Ash saplings in around seven days, compared to a process that can take up to six years in nature. With over 80 million Ash trees dying from Ash Dieback disease, the breakthrough uses simple chemicals to bypass the seed's long natural dormancy period.
Reported by Channel 4 · How we write briefs