About Ash Dieback

Ash dieback is a highly destructive disease caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which is being found in a large percentage of the United Kingdom’s native Ash trees.

The disease, also commonly referred to as Chalara, is at present causing a huge threat to the percentage of Ash trees, with its ability to turn a perfectly healthy tree into a hazard within a very short space of time. The disease is spread by spores from infected trees, which travel through the air and land on the leaves of healthy trees.

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It then penetrates the leaves and starts developing within the tree, eventually blocking its water distribution system internally and causing the tree to die. In well developed cases, it will cause severe die back in the canopy of the tree, and can also cause the timber to become very brittle making it more susceptible to failure.

There is sadly no effective way to reverse the disease once a tree has obtained it, and the best course of action is to remove the tree to eliminate danger to targets bellow, and limit its spread to other trees. 

As a company we are now dealing with more and more cases, and so are very good at identifying symptoms.  If you are concerned about your tree, or have a large number of Ash trees it may well be a good idea to contact us to come and give some free advice on a plan of action should any of the trees be showing signs of the disease.

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Ash Dieback Symptoms

Ash dieback symptoms to look out for include: 

  • Development of dark patches on leaves in summer months

  • Wilting and discoloration of foliage, and even early leaf-drop

  • Dieback of shoots and foliage in the outer parts of the canopy

  • Lesions can develop where branches meet at the main stem of the tree, which are often diamond shaped, with brownish/grey inner bark beneath

  • Excessive epicormic growth coming from bellow the foliage on branches.  This is new growth sprouting from the branches and stem to try and create more foliage for photosynthesis; a countermeasure for the tree to try and counter act the disease

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