Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems

A deadly fungus targeting plane trees has reached epidemic proportions in Greece. So far, more than 52,000 plane trees have died, and there is a risk that most of these deciduous trees will be lost.

Scientists stress the need to observe very strict protection measures, as Ceratocystis platani (C. platani) is highly contagious and kills the trees it infects within a few years.

Hundreds of mulberry trees in Athens have been decimated by the wood borer insect Xylotrechus chinensis and many more have been infected, municipal plant specialists said on Tuesday.