Ash Dieback
Chalara fraxinea or Ash dieback is a serious disease of ash trees caused by a fungus that originated in Asia. Infection causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees, and normally leads to tree death.
It was found in a consignment of infected trees sent from a nursery in the Netherlands in Feb 2012. Since then it has been found across Great Britain with concentrations in Norfolk and Kent.
Though there is no cure, not all trees die of the infection. Some trees are likely to have genetic resistance hence a “firewall cull” could be counterproductive by killing off trees that may survive and pass on their resistance.
How it spreads
- Spores are mainly spread via the wind with UK infection possible from mainland Europe – this probably explains the east coast clustering of infection
- Trees need a high levels of exposure to spores become infected
- Spores are produced by leaves between June and September
- The disease will affect all types ash trees
- The disease becomes active quickly with symptoms displayed in months
- Wood products are unlikely to spread the disease if treated properly
You can help slow the spread of ash dieback by burning fallen leaves and branches from the infected trees.
Identifying Ash Dieback
Symptoms include:
- Wilting crowns
- Leaf dieback – brown leaves and stems at the end of the major stems
- Blackened lesions on branches
- Cankering on branches
- Small yellow mushroom like fungal growths on infected stems in autumn
- Blackened wood inside when a branch is cut through
What to do if the tree is infected with Ash Dieback
To report suspected cases of Ash Dieback disease, contact the Food and Environment Research Agency on 01904 465625 or the Forestry Commission on 0131 314 6414
You can also submit suspected sightings via the AshTag app or the Tree Alert app.
Regularly inspect the tree with regards to health and safety as a dying tree in inherently less stable than a healthy tree.
Contact us if you have any suspicions about your trees, or need any further advice.