AGM Tree Surgery

Ash Dieback disease (Chalara fraxinea dieback or Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a fungus that attacks young and old ash trees. It blocks the water transport systems in them causing leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees. It usually leads to the death of the tree. Young trees are very vulnerable and usually die in one season.

It is believed ash dieback originated in Asia, the same disease occurs naturally in Japan. It is currently ravaging trees across Europe and is believed to have arrived in the UK via imported trees from Poland. There is also evidence that the spread has been airborne, via wind, birds and insects. It was first detected in the UK in 2012.

You can view a map of the spread here http://chalaramap.fera.defra.gov.uk

It is estimated that of the 2 billion ash trees across the country (that's 30% of all the trees in the UK), we could lose 95-99% of them to Ash dieback.

Ash Dieback will potentially contribute to global warming. As trees grow they remove carbon dioxide from the air and store it in the trees and soil, they also release oxygen into the atmosphere.

It will be very important to replace the trees that are lost and replant with other species that are not affected by the disease.

There is currently no cure or treatment for Ash Dieback. Nature and diseases are constantly mutating and it is hoped that a resistant form of ash tree will eventually emerge. However in the meantime it does point to a potentially massive loss in the current population of ash trees. In 8 years it is predicted we could lose up to 97%.

It is believed Ash Dieback will have a bigger impact nationally than Foot and Mouth disease. A team of researchers from Fera Science, University of Oxford, Sylva Foundation and the Woodland Trust have calculated the economic cost and impact of ash dieback. Ash dieback is estimated to cost Britain £15 billion with £7 billion being over the next 10 years (announced May 2019, see links below).

Ash trees line most roads, motorways and railways throughout the UK. Expect significant disruption in future years to our road and rail networks.

A diseased tree with Ash Dieback becomes weaker and brittle. For public safety reasons railways, roads and property with overhanging diseased trees will need to be removed.

As ash dieback progresses in the tree, it dries out and gets brittle, this means over time it may become too dangerous for a tree surgeon to safely climb it to take it down. The alternative is to use cranes but this can dramatically increase the costs involved and may even be impossible in certain locations, so it is essential to identify ash dieback as early as possible. This is for both safety and cost/commercial reasons.

The government/councils, road and railway agencies have not budgetted for the potential scale of this problem.

In Wales, at this time, councils have not been given extra funding to deal with the impacts of ash dieback by Welsh Government. Initially, there will be a need to fund the removal of hazardous trees but there is also a need to spend on replanting in the medium to long term.

Landowners will be responsible for the cost of removing trees with ash dieback, where it is necessary for safety reasons. Under the Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980 the council have powers to require a landowner to remove a tree which is a danger to the highway. If the danger is not addressed the council may remove the tree and can recharge the owner for the costs incurred..

For government agencies (including road and rail) and councils, diseased trees that pose a threat to safety on roads and railways, to the general public or property will be prioritised and removed.

In areas where they are deemed not to be a significant risk to the public or property, the tree is likely to be left to die and come down naturally. The deadwood also provides a valuable habitat for other wildlife.

Yes, Ash dieback has been classified as 'notifiable' (by DEFRA), which means that, in England, they must be reported to the Forestry Commission. Notifiable diseases are the ones that have the potential to cause the greatest damage to trees, woods and forests. Update: As Ash Dieback is now so widespread further reports of the disease are not of value.