Ash Dieback Surveys in Winchester Hampshire
What is Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)?
Ash Dieback is a lethal fungal disease that affects ash trees and has been identified in most European countries where the species is native. For many tree and plant species, fungi are beneficial partners, providing decay and disease resistance.
Ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Chalara Fraxinea and is spread by wind-blown spores. The fungus attacks the trees vascular system and causes the leaves to turn brown and fall, and eventually the branches and trunk to die.
In the UK, the disease has been recorded in every county and is also present in mainland Europe. The disease was first recorded in the UK in February 2012, with just a single case reported in a garden in Leicestershire. There are now confirmed cases across the UK and it is likely to be endemic.
What are the first signs of ash dieback?
The first signs of ash dieback are small, brown spots on the upper or lower surface of ash leaves, which develop into pale brown spots or patches. If you find these signs on your ash trees, they are definitely worth investigating further. Contact us so we can assess the health of your Oak and survey the tree with a tree report.
What are the symptoms of ash dieback?
A symptom of ash dieback is a brown discolouration on the leaves of the infected tree. The fungus is spread in spores, which are dispersed by wind blown ash leaves and by people moving infected ash trees in nurseries.
Signs of infection include leaf loss, crown dieback and the death of branches.
Can you cure ash dieback?
There is a lot of debate about how we should react to the spread of ash dieback. On the one hand, it is a devastating disease that will have a huge effect on our forests; on the other, it could be seen as an opportunity to start afresh and try to take things in a more sustainable direction.
To date, the National Trust has decided to simply remove all ash from the land it manages, and the Forestry Commission has decided to develop a strain of ash that is resistant to the disease. At the other end of the scale, the Wildlife Trusts is launching an appeal to plant a million new trees in the next year to try to replace the trees that will be felled as part of efforts to combat the disease.
In the fight against ash dieback, there is no clear-cut solution. Researchers are working to find a cure for the disease, but so far there is little to show for their efforts. However, there are several things that you can do to minimize the damage the disease can cause to your ash trees. The very first step is to realize that ash dieback is a serious threat to your trees.
How serious is ash dieback?
Ash dieback is a fungal disease that has been hitting ash trees all over the country, but how serious is the disease really? The fact that it's called ash dieback may imply that it's actually quite serious. While it does cause the tree to die, it's not as fast as the name may have you believe, as ash trees can live for over 100 years, but it can only take a few years for the disease to kill them.
How long does it take for ash dieback to kill a tree?
As reported on the Hampshire Government website, ash dieback disease is spreading fast in Hampshire, with trees already succumbing in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and many more expected to fall as time goes on. The fungus responsible for the disease, Chalara fraxinea, was first recorded in North Europe in 1992, and since then, has been found in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, with the disease's spread accelerated by the import of infected plants. It is believed that the disease arrived in Britain in a shipment of infected trees from continental Europe many years ago.
According to the Forestry Commission, there are about 80 million ash trees in the UK and 4.5 million of these are on public land (parks, cemeteries) and are susceptible to the deadly fungus.
How do you manage ash dieback?
That’s because it’s an invasive disease, originating in mainland Europe, and the native ash tree has little natural resistance to it. This means if you have recently planted ash trees in your garden, garden centre or landscaped area, they could be vulnerable to attack by this disease. The spread of the disease has been slowed, thanks to a major public awareness campaign, but it hasn’t yet been stopped. Another one to beware of is Oak Processionary Moth which of course affects oak trees.
For the time being, it’s important to take steps to manage the problem. This can be done by pruning out infected trees and the surrounding area, and using fungicides in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The first step is to contact us so we can diagnose it and offer our professional opinion as soon as possible.
Do I need to have a tree infected with ash dieback felled?
Depending on the severity it would be wise to get in touch - an ash tree with advanced ash dieback may become brittle and dangerous and may need tree felling or at least pruning or trimming. As we have 10+ years of experience in tree surgery we're well versed in stump removal and grinding and associated arboricultural practices.
To try and contain the disease, the authorities have been felling infected trees, and although they may appear to be fully cured, they can still become infected.
Location & Coverage
Call Peter Yeates Arboriculture:
Ash is one of the most recognisable species of tree in the UK, be it in residential gardens or our more famous woodlands and parks.
However, within the past few years it has been discovered that Ash trees are now becoming very susceptible to a disease called Ash Dieback, which is caused by the Chalara Fraxinea fungus.
Alongside this, they are also becoming more susceptible to other tree diseases caused by fungi, such as Oak Bark Disease and Chestnut Decline.
As a leading tree surgeon offering ash aieback consultation service, Peter Yeates Arboriculture has long been helping clients to get expert advice on Ash Dieback treatment, as well as land clearance, deadwood removal & tree planting services within the Winchester and surrounding Hampshire areas.
With years of experience in the arboriculture industry, we understand the threat that Ash Dieback poses, and we can help with a range of services that will keep trees healthy and safe from pests.
For more information on what you should do if you suspect that you or your neighbours' trees might have ash dieback, call us today on 01962 776258.