UK to Save Japan’s Trees

UK-Japan News October 2019

Forestry England is taking Japanese maple trees to the UK to save them from extinction. As reported by The Telegraph on 2 October, in a joint effort between the University of Oxford and various gov­ernment departments related to botanic gardens and forestry, researchers have travelled to Japan to acquire the maple tree’s seeds, as well as those of other species. They will then plant these in the forests of the UK. Experts hope that this will not only save many species but that the trees will also become resilient to climate change. The maples will be planted at Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire and Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in Kent.