Wokingham Chalara dieback of ash (Chalara fraxinea) advice

Wokingham Borough Council has published some Ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea) advice. This disease has been identified on a number of native Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) on isolated sites in the United Kingdom. On Monday 29 October 2012, a ban was placed on the import of Ash plants into Britain.

The disease caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees, and it can lead to tree death. It is a significant threat to one of our widespread native trees.

The full impact of this disease on Ash trees in this country is currently being investigated. Monitoring is being undertaken by several government departments, including the Forestry Commission. There will be a much clearer picture of the level of infection once the monitoring work has been completed.

The government will be developing its response based on the results of this survey.

If you have identified the disease on an ash tree call the Department for Ennvironment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the Chalara helpline on: 08459 33 55 77 (8am-6pm every day) or email: [email protected]

Please help control the disease by checking any Ash trees you own or are responsible for. Trees most likely to carry the disease or those planted in the last four years. Please be prepared to give the Forestry Commission/DEFRA as much information as possible, such as the age and location of tree, and symptoms shown. Digital photographs showing the affected parts of the tree are also very helpful.

If you suspect that a tree on council-owned land may be infected by Chalara fraxinea, please report it to: [email protected]; where details of the site will be recorded and a programmed inspection (if appropriate) will be undertaken to confirm whether the disease is present

For more information about Ash dieback visit the Forestry Commission website at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara