Breeding Trees

Scientists in the UK have discovered a variety of the ash tree which is resistant to the attacks by a certain type of fungus killing off ash trees. This fungus has recently been discovered in the UK, but scientists trust that they will be able to grow resistand ash trees from the resistant variety. The downside is that the resistant variety consist of so few trees, that they have a very narrow genetic base. However, by cross breeding the resistant trees to other ash trees in the UK, the scientists hope to get a wider genetic base of resistant trees, which will also be better suited to the UK climate. It is amazing what breeding can do over generations, not just for dogs.