Ep 223 - Combating Ash Dieback w/Dr Richard Buggs from Kew Gardens

In this wonder-filled episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Wem speak with Dr Richard Buggs—geneticist at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Queen Mary University London—about ash dieback, DNA sequencing, and the unseen resilience of trees. With clarity and warmth, Richard explains how genome research is unlocking crucial answers about pest resistance, why ash trees are evolving faster than expected, and how broadleaf diversity might just be the secret weapon in the fight against invasive fungi. From the naming of Betula buggsii to Darwin’s “abominable mystery,” this episode weaves together science, stewardship, and surprise. The conversation also highlights the vital role of biosecurity, the complex interplay between genetics and environment, and the hope offered by natural regeneration. It's a deeply grounding listen for educators, woodland stewards, and anyone curious about trees, time, and how we make sense of the mysteries still growing all around us.🌿 Sponsored by:🛏 TENTSILE – Get 10% off their tree tents with code ForestChildren10. Perfect for overnights, basecamps, and wild play. Learn more at www.tentsile.com🌱 Chris Holland – Nature connection guide and author of The Story of the Wind. Get 10% off his 54-page plant ID guide using code ForestSchoolPodcast at: https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast⏱ Chapter Timings:00:00 – Introducing Dr Richard Buggs and his work at Kew and Queen Mary03:24 – Naming a birch tree: Betula buggsii and the story behind it06:06 – From weed science to ash genome sequencing09:49 – How tree genomes are sequenced: glowing letters and supercomputers14:12 – Ash trees, biodiversity, and co-evolution with fungi15:59 – What ash dieback is and how it kills trees18:30 – Why some ash trees survive and the role of natural regeneration23:00 – Faster-than-expected evolution and what it reveals28:00 – How DNA research helps where traditional trials cannot35:05 – Darwin’s abominable mystery, flowering plants, and sacred questions🌲 Keywords:Ash dieback, forest pathogens, DNA sequencing, Richard Buggs, Kew Gardens, tree genomics, Darwin’s abominable mystery, tree evolution, natural regeneration, plant biosecurity, broadleaf trees, Forest School safety, invasive species, Victorian botany, sacred mystery, forest ecology🔖 Hashtags:#AshDieback #TreeGenomics #ForestSchoolPodcast #KewGardens #BroadleafBiodiversity #PlantScience #OutdoorLearning #DNASequencing #NaturalRegeneration #ForestEcology #SacredMystery #OutdoorEducation #ForestSchoolSafety #Biosecurity #AbominableMystery🌐 More Episodes & Support:Listen to more and access resources at ⁠www.theforestschoolpodcast.com**⁠Support the show and join our community at ⁠www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast**⁠For questions, feedback, or collaboration: ⁠[email protected]