Tree disease threatens Cambridge Backs

Many of the chestnut trees in the Cambridge Backs are under threat from both bleeding canker and leaf miner diseases. The Backs lie between the River Cam and six of the Cambridge colleges - Queens', Kings', Clare, Trinity, Trinity Hall and St. John's - and form one of the most famous and spectacular views in Cambridge.

Now, many of the chestnut trees, some ten percent of the total, are falling prey to these two diseases. In response the Colleges concerned, along with Cambridge City Council, have agreed a felling and replanting policy. The trees will not all be felled at once but gradually, as they fall to the disease. Donald Hearn, Bursar of Clare College said the chestnuts would be felled "as and when they fail." He added,  "The Backs is a magical landscape and we want to ensure that it will stay that way for the next fifty to one-hundred years."

You can read more about this on the Daily Telegraph website.