ALARM bells have been sounded by Malvern Hills Trust which has warned of the ‘significant’ impacts of a disease severely infecting several ash trees in the area and placing ‘huge financial pressures’ on the charity.
‘Devastated’ Trust chiefs have been forced to schedule the felling of ash trees on British Camp, Jubilee Drive and Holywell Road this winter due to the ash dieback disease.
The Trust has now issued a plea for donations to help combat the ‘significant’ impacts of the disease.
Ash dieback, which was first identified in the UK in 2012, has spread across the country and causes the wilting of leaves, shoots to die back and often the death of the tree.
The Trust has also asked people to report ash trees on its land which are badly affected and are near to highways or properties.
It is believed a small percentage of ash trees may be tolerant to the disease, with those showing little or no signs of disease set to be left and monitored.
However, the Trust claims its not possible to eradicate the disease as it is caused by an airborne fungus which cannot be controlled.
This is the second year in a row the Trust has had to deal with the most badly infected ash trees for public safety.
The Trusts conservation manager Jonathan Bills said: “We are devastated to be losing any ash trees from our estate.
“Infected trees can become brittle and likely to fail, so the removal of trees near to highways and properties is essential.”
Mr Bills claimed the impacts of ash dieback over the next five to 10 years are going to be significant in the Malvern Hills.
“In the next decade, it is estimated between 60-80 per cent of the UK’s ash will be lost to the disease.
“It is estimated 20 per cent of trees under the Trust’s care are ash.
“The loss of this species will have a significant effect on both the local landscape character and the ecology of the area.
“The Trust will be planting replacement trees where possible and allowing nature to replace trees through natural regeneration.
“We are facing huge financial pressures as the disease takes hold and more practical management is needed in response.”
Mr Bills added costs to safely remove the trees could cost the Trust around £400 each.
Visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/MalvernHillsAshDieback to donate.
