Ash Dieback – Dave Ford Tree Care
The UK is facing a new, yet established threat to our native ash tree population – Ash Dieback. This is a highly destructive disease which is slowly, but surely, killing off young, semi-mature and even mature specimens. It is caused by an airborne fungus named Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus, which is of East Asian origin.
The disease can be spread up to tens of miles away, caused by the wind blowing the fungal spores (which are located in the fallen decomposing leaves on the ground as well as the leaves within the trees canopy).
This is particularly noticeable along the main arterial roads locally like the M25, M23, A217, A24, A25, A23 and the A22, where spores have been carried in the winds created by moving vehicles. This has led to the infection of hundreds, if not thousands, of local roadside ash trees. You may have noticed the removal of these infected ash trees along these roads as well as public parks and residential gardens.
So what are the symptoms?
- Canopy dieback: caused by the blackening and wilting of leaves and shoots in mid-to late summer (July to September). The infected and wilted leaves will eventually fall, leaving a sparsely foliated outer canopy.
- Lesions: most infected leaves are shed prematurely by the tree, but in some cases the infection progresses from the leaves and into the twigs, branches and eventually the trunk, causing dark lesions to form in the bark. They can eventually girdle the whole branch or trunk, cutting off the tree’s supply of water and nutrients from the roots.
To help stop the spread of Ash Dieback please keep an eye on your trees and if you notice any symptoms call us immediately to arrange your free tree inspection.
