Ash is one of the most common trees in the Worcestershire countryside, lining roads, field edges, hedgerows and gardens across the county. Over the past decade, ash dieback has changed the way these trees need to be managed. If you have ash trees on your land, here is what you need to know.
What is ash dieback?
Ash dieback is a disease caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. It was first confirmed in Britain in 2012 and has since spread across the whole country. The fungus spreads through spores released from infected leaf litter in summer, which land on the leaves of nearby ash trees.
The disease blocks the tree’s water transport system, causing leaves, shoots and branches to die back. Young trees can be killed quickly. Older trees usually decline more slowly, but the infection can lead to other problems, including root and stem decay.
How to recognise an ash tree
- Leaves made up of several pairs of leaflets with one at the tip
- Leaves and buds that grow in opposite pairs along the twig
- Distinctive black, velvety buds in winter
- Smooth grey bark on young trees, becoming ridged with age
- Bunches of winged seeds, known as keys, hanging in autumn
Signs of ash dieback
- Dark brown or black patches on the leaves in summer
- Leaves wilting and turning brown, and shoots dying back
- Diamond shaped lesions on the bark where side branches meet the stem
- Clumps of new shoots growing from the trunk and main branches
- A thinning crown with bare, dead tips, most visible in late summer
Late summer, before autumn colour starts, is the best time to judge how badly a tree is affected.
Why ash dieback is a safety issue
Infected ash trees become brittle as the dead wood dries out. Branches can snap off without warning, and in advanced cases the base and roots can decay, making the whole tree unstable.
This also makes affected trees much more dangerous to work on. Climbing a badly infected ash may not be safe, so experienced arborists often use mobile elevated work platforms or other techniques to take them down. This is not a job for amateurs.
Does every infected tree need felling?
No. A small proportion of ash trees show tolerance to the disease, and these are important for the future of the species. Trees in open countryside away from roads, paths and buildings can often be left and monitored. The priority is trees close to places where people live, walk, park and drive.
If you own trees next to a road, footpath or neighbouring property, you have a duty of care to keep them reasonably safe. A regular inspection, usually once a year, is the best way to keep track of how quickly your ash trees are declining.
Permissions
Ash trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order or growing in a conservation area still need the usual permission or notice before work is done, unless they are an immediate danger. In larger woodlands, a felling licence from the Forestry Commission may also be required. See our guide to Tree Preservation Orders for more.
Replanting
Where ash trees have to be removed, replanting with a mix of other native species helps keep our landscape green. Field maple, oak, hornbeam, small leaved lime and wild cherry are all good choices, depending on the site. We can advise on species and help with tree planting.
Ash dieback surveys and tree work in Worcestershire
Faithful Tree Care inspects and manages ash trees across Worcester, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. If you are worried about an ash tree, call 07828 786300 or send us an enquiry.
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