Prince Charles has warned that pests and diseases are threatening the health of Britain's trees.
Prince Charles
The 68-year-old royal - who is a passionate environmentalist - has spoken out about the state of the British countryside, warning that there has recently been a rapid increase in the threats facing the country's trees, while he's also bemoaned the country's lack of awareness about the issue.
Writing in Country Life magazine, Prince Charles explained: "I planted an avenue of them at Highgrove and then watched, miserably, as many of them succumbed.
"Losing almost every sizeable English elm from our countryside was such a profound change that I suspect every Country Life reader will have heard of Dutch Elm disease.
"The wider problem is that a great many more pests and diseases are now seriously threatening the health of all our native trees, yet public awareness of this seems to be frighteningly low."
The British royal pointed out that the country's tree population contributes to the nation's health, while he also observed that the trees prevent soil erosion and flooding.
Prince Charles added: "The benefits of healthy trees are clear, which is why we should all be seriously alarmed by the recent rapid increase in tree pests and diseases in this country."
This comes shortly after Prince William warned that African wildlife is under "enormous pressure" from the increase in human population growth.
He recently said: "Africa's rapidly growing human population is predicted to more than double by 2050, a staggering increase of three and a half million people per month.
"There is no question that this increase puts wildlife and habitat under enormous pressure. Urbanisation, infrastructure development, cultivation - all good things in themselves, but they will have a terrible impact unless we begin to plan and to take measures now."
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