Find out the latest in forest news in this week’s Forest Digest!

The dogwood’s “petals” are actually modified leaves called bracts, which surround a cluster of tiny yellow flowers and attract pollinators. Credit: Robert Owen
  • World is home to ‘60,000 tree species’ — BBC News
    According to a new, comprehensive study of the world’s plants, there are 60,065 tree species in the world. Using tree data gathered from its network of 500 member organizations, Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) compiled the tree list. This new data is crucial to identifying and protecting rare and endangered species.
  • The dogwood tree — the living symbol of the American spring — makes a comeback — The Washington Post
    Just a few decades ago, the dogwood tree was critically endangered due to a new disease. In recent years, however, the species has made a successful comeback. The dogwood tree lives on in the form of new varieties and hybrids developed to resist the disease that once brought the species to near extinction.
  • Polish law change unleashes ‘massacre’ of trees — The Guardian
    A new amendment to Polish environmental law has become a subject of controversy. Commonly known as “Szyszko’s law”, the amendment removes the obligation for private landowners to apply for permission to cut down trees, pay compensation or plant new trees, or even to inform local authorities that trees have been or will be removed.
  • Scottish charity hopes to boost numbers of rare tree — BBC News
    A conservation charity in Scotland aims to grow wild populations of aspen trees, which are at risk because they rarely flower and collecting seeds for propagation is almost impossible. The group, Trees for Life, hopes to have created its own source of seeds by encouraging branches to flower under controlled conditions.