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Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, also known as ash dieback, is a fungal tree disease that targets the ash species and has the potential to devastate the ash tree population. If you own land with ash trees that are diseased, then it is your responsibility to take action to control the situation to prevent the spread of the disease. Our team are here to help, so if you are concerned about the health of your ash trees, then call us for expert advice and professional tree services.
Ash dieback is not a native disease. It was imported into the country around 30 years ago. As our ash trees did not evolve with this disease, they have limited defences against it. The fungus that causes the disease lives in the woodland floor in infected areas and produces fruit from July to October. The fruits release spores that are carried through the air, causing further infection throughout the ash tree population.
Although trees can fight back and recover to some extent, repetitive infections will eventually kill.
Luckily, the disease produces visible symptoms, allowing landowners to spot the problem before it escalates. Symptoms of ash dieback include:
If you have noticed disease in your ash tree population and the symptoms appear to indicate ash dieback, the first thing you need to do is report it (if not already reported) through Tree Alert which notifies Forest Research, a government department that monitors the health of the nation’s trees.
The severity of the disease will determine how best to deal with the problem. We can visit your land to inspect the trees and advise on the best course of remedial action which could involve anything from pollarding to felling and tree removal.