Ash Dieback Management
Unfortunately, ash dieback is now having a very visible and detrimental effect on ash trees nationwide. The dieback and death of the trees is caused by a fungus, Hymenoscyhpus fraxineus, of which there is no prevention or cure.
Ash dieback was first recorded in the UK in 2012. Since then it has spread over the nation and in recent years has become a serious problem. The fungal spores are dispersed by the wind allowing the fungus to reach even seemingly remote trees. These spores then enter the trees through the leaves or lenticels on the stems (pores in the bark allowing gaseous exchange).
The symptoms of ash dieback vary, the most notable are leaf wilt, leaf loss and crown dieback which can occur within one season, with the death of the tree possible within 2 seasons. It can also cause lesions in the branches and stems, which can create weakened areas of the tree where secondary infections may enter, posing further problems to the structural integrity of the tree.
Current projection from the Forestry Commission estimates that we will loose between 60-95% of our ash trees.
Whilst some of these will be fine to leave to fall apart and decay naturally. There will be many trees that are in locations where the increased chance of failure requires intervention before the tree structure fails.
The ash dieback management plan will enable you to locate, prioritise and assign any required work to the ash trees you are responsible for.
What’s the process?
The ash dieback management plan process can be broken down into 3 stages.
The first stage of this process is to survey and log all ash trees on site. During this process the ash trees will be geo located and added on to digital mapping software and assigned an identification number. The trees will be surveyed and data taken on the condition, the targets beneath the trees (roads, building, footpaths etc.) and any access limitations.
The second stage takes information from the survey and turns it into a management plan. This prioritises the trees which will require work sooner and those where there is less urgency, as well as specifying what work will be required. Timescales can be given as guidance to when the work should be carried out to help with budgeting. Suggestions as to what trees and what locations would be suitable for re-planting replacement trees will also be given, this is a vital part of the plan which will aim to reinstate the treescape that will be lost due to the ash trees being removed.
The third stage will see the practical side of the plan carried out. We will be able to quote for and carry out all tree work specified in the plan from removal to replanting.