The growing threat to Britain’s oaks from a mysterious disease was highlighted by the Prince of Wales who warned that the trees could die out.

Prince Charles convened a meeting of forestry experts yesterday to discuss the issue of Acute Oak Decline, which has been causing concern since the problem was discovered almost 10 years ago.

It is thought to be caused by a number of bacteria that can kill an infected tree in just a few years. Some experts have compared it to Dutch elm disease which destroyed millions of trees during the 1970s and 1980s but so far only several thousand oaks are thought to have been infected. Speaking at the annual conference of his Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, the royal said: “I had a meeting yesterday where I brought together a lot of forestry experts and others to look at this issue which could well cause untold damage.”

Prince Charles, who staged the event at St James’ Palace, added: “There are more tree diseases than you’d ever believe possible now affecting many of our iconic species.

“I mean if we’re not very careful we will loose the oak tree, which is now subject to two sorts of diseases.”

The Forestry Commission has been conducting research into the issue for a number of years and has discovered that one of the bacteria suspected to play a part was previously unknown to science.

The experts also believe a species of beetle may transport the bacteria infecting the oaks.

The problem is found in the Midlands, parts of South East England and across to the Welsh border.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: “His Royal Highness has been interested in this whole issue for a long time, having lost trees to various tree diseases.

“His Royal Highness yesterday held a meeting with the relevant stakeholders which highlighted the need for urgent action, given the increasing number of pathogens: Especially phytophthora ramorum and acute oak decline.”