Enhanced health for trees may soon be within reach as experts found a 200-year-old tree named "Betty" may hold the key to fighting ash dieback disease.

The tree, which was found in Norwich, UK, is said to be the first native ash tree that exhibited strong resistance to the fungal disease.

The finding encourages experts to entertain the possibility of using selective breeding to grow trees that are less vulnerable to ash dieback disease.

The Analysis

Researchers from scientist group Nornex performed a genetic investigation of 182 affected ash trees in Denmark. The government-supported group then developed three genetic markers to help them anticipate which of the trees are most likely to be mildly and strongly tolerant.

In Ashwellthorpe Wood, one of Norfolk's remaining ancient woodlands, experts found that many trees were infected with the fungal disease. However, there were those that remained healthy, only exhibiting low levels of infection.

One of the exceptions in the list of severely infected trees is an old tree, which the team named Betty.

Betty stood out because it showed high tolerance despite being located near infected trees.

Moving On To The Next Step

Aside from identifying Betty, the scientists also found out that the three genetic markers seem to be more common in British ash trees than in several other nations. The reason for this has not yet been clearly established, but it is notable enough to include in future tree development endeavors.

Now, researchers are looking at determining more trees that are less likely to be infected so they can breed a resistant variety that may also get pass through the disease.

Growing Healthier Trees

The work paves the way for dealing with ash dieback disease more effectively and for guaranteeing that Britain's ash trees stay strong amid pests and infections in the future. Ultimately, it leads to a more exciting development in growing healthier trees.

"I believe that we have generated the fundamentals required to select and potentially to breed trees with enhanced tolerance to the disease," says Nornex coordinator Allan Downie.

Downie explains that resistance in this context does not mean eradicating the actual fungus. What the team probably have discovered are genetic elements and profiles that are associated with allowing ash trees to live with it and impede development of the pathogen.

About Ash Dieback

Ash dieback is a fungal disease that has caused tree damage in Scandinavia and is threatening to affect about 80 million ash trees in Britain. Among the signs and symptoms of the disease include leaf loss, bark lesions and crown dieback.