What is ash dieback?

Ash dieback is caused by the Chalara fraxinea fungus. The fungus causes leaf loss and crown dieback and can lead to tree death, has wiped out 90% of ash trees in Denmark in seven years and is becoming widespread throughout central Europe.

It is not known how the disease spreads, but it could be by insects or rain splash, over longer distances it is believed to be transferred by the movement of infected tree.

Symptoms of Chalara fraxinea can be visible on leaves, shoots and branches of affected trees and include:

• In severe cases, the entire crown shows leaf loss and dieback
• There may be the formation of dormant shoots under the bark on branches and the trunk
• Foliage Leaves can suffer from wilting and black-brownish discoloration

More information on identifying and treating the disease is available on the Forestry Commission website.