Stark warning over Guernsey's changing climate

Monday, 17 August 2026 06:50

By Euan Mahy

Guernsey Trees for Life saplings at Styx, St Peter's.

Charity Guernsey Trees for Life say the prolonged hot weather means they need to consider planting 'nearly native' species.

The first eight months of 2026 have been harsh on Guernsey's treescape.

Storm Goretti felled thousands of trees in the space of one raging January night.

Since May, there have been three heatwaves, Guernsey's all time high temperature record has been broken, and it has hardly rained.

Many mature trees are showing signs of drought related stress and are shedding leaves or even limbs to keep their core alive.

Colin Dodd from Guernsey Trees for life says it's worrying for Nature in all its forms:

"I really think there are going to be some huge changes for the Island, not only from our perspective, as a tree charity, but from a farming perspective, and the dairy herd.

"The farmers are burning their way through their winter feed now, because there’s nothing in the fields."

He says it's equally tough for Guernsey's small fishing fleet, as octopus, drawn here by the relatively cooler seas, are eating the once plentiful spider crabs, leaving comparatively little to catch.

Regarding tree planting, Colin says it used to be the case that regular rainfall meant the saplings needed little attention, but that has changed.

"We’ve been planting trees for donkeys years, but we’re noticing more and more that we have to now concentrate on after-care, as much as planting the tree, so it suddenly becomes more labour intensive and expensive for us."

Guernsey Trees for Life say they are looking at buying a water bowser to make watering easier, and are considering planting more drought resistant, 'nearly native' species, but have yet to decide on which.