Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)
Ash dieback will kill up to 95% of ash trees across the UK. At a cost of billions, the effects will be staggering. It will change the landscape forever and threaten many species which rely on ash.
Whereas the SW of England has been later than Eastern & Central regions of the UK to experience the impact of the disease it is now well established and presenting visibly observable symptoms in private residential, roadside and woodland trees.
There has been a notable increase in enquiries and work load associated with inspections and tree removals and this is anticipated to continue to increase as the symptoms become more apparent.
I suspect that Spring leaf formation this year will bring with it the chilling realisation that the disease has become widespread in the region.
What impact will ash dieback have?
It’s thought that we are going to lose up to 95% of our ash trees in the UK. This is going to have a devastating impact on the landscape and the biodiversity of our woodlands, as well as a major loss in connections between habitats as we lose hedges and individual trees outside of woods.
The predicted cost of managing the diseases is high. It includes the practical expense of clearing up dead and dying trees, to the loss of its environmental services such as air purification.
£15 billion - That’s how much ash dieback is predicted to cost British society.
As a home or land owner there will be costs associated with the management and / or removal of hazardous trees but it is important to consider what to do about it rather than simply ignore the issue.
If the tree presents a hazard to people or property this should be professionally identified and appropriate recommendations followed.
This is a fast acting disease which will rapidly reduce the structural integrity of infected trees. Delay will prove more costly than appropriate and timely action since a tree which becomes unsafe to climb will likely be more costly to remove at a later date.
For professional advice and appropriate recommendations based upon Tree Risk Assessment and LANTRAs Professional Tree Inspector qualification please contact Empire Tree & Garden Services.
