The Woodland Trust is urging the government to continue support for UK tree nurseries to counter the threat posed by spiralling tree imports.

New statistics out today show that 128 million trees and shrubs were imported into the UK last year, up from 125 million the previous year – valued at £280 million.

These imports increase the risk of introducing new pests and pathogens that threaten our existing woods and trees and the many thousands of species that live on them. Oak trees, for example, can provide a home for 2,300 different species, and ash can host 955 species.