Exclusive: Unknown culprit suspected of spraying glyphosate on protected trees hoped to stop peat erosion and flooding
Trees planted as part of a nature restoration project on Prince William’s land in Dartmoor national park have been deliberately poisoned with herbicide, sparking outrage and a hunt for the culprit.
The willow trees, on Duchy of Cornwall land, were planted as part of a project to stop peat erosion, store carbon and reduce the risk of flooding.
The area where they are planted is protected as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), and they were located within fenced exclosures to protect them from livestock grazing on the surrounding common, known as the Forest of Dartmoor.
However, someone has killed the trees, apparently by spraying them with a potent herbicide, which experts believe is glyphosate.
