Christmas trees could die off due to climate change
The Norway spruce, a tree native to Switzerland, is at risk of dying out in the country amid rising temperatures and increased drought. The species of tree, best known as the classic Christmas tree, is also home to the red squirrel. In addition, the European beech is under threat from warmer temperatures. Authorities say both species can cope with changes in climate, but the current rapid pace leaves the trees no time to adapt. Options include planting the spruce in higher, colder conditions or growing different species entirely.
The Swiss, who are more aware of climate change than the average Briton because of their disappearing glaciers and snow cover, are also worried about their trees, particularly the Norway spruce.

The Norway spruce is the mainstay of the Swiss forestry industry but is in danger of dying out this century because of warmer temperatures.

This spruce is common in Britain, best known perhaps as the classic Christmas tree, but also as a favoured habitat for the red squirrel. What the Swiss have discovered is that an increase in temperature and summer droughts expected this century is likely to kill off most of this spruce in their country.

Another important tree to the Swiss, the European beech, is also vulnerable to extra warmth and heat. Trees can adapt to climate change but in both these species there is about a 100-year time lapse between generations, so with rapid climate change there is not enough time for adaptations.

The Swiss are advocating taking seeds of spruce or beech from warmer valley bottoms and planting them higher up the mountains, or importing specimens of these trees from other countries where over centuries they have adapted to warmer drier conditions.

The alternative, to save the Swiss forestry industry, is to switch to planting other species able to thrive in harsher conditions.

The beech has also been identified by the UK’s Forestry Commission as the native species most likely to suffer from a warmer, drier, climate. But there has been nothing like the stark warning that has come from Switzerland. Perhaps the time has come for a closer look at the problem.