ASH DIE BACK HARVESTING

As this is a new disease in Europe and the UK, Ash trees as a result have not developed any immunity.  Its impact on the species has been and will continue to be devastating with over 80% of Ash trees in the UK expected to die.  The disease was first documented in the UK in 2012 in the Southeast, likely blown across from mainland Europe.  Over the next decade the disease has steadily advanced across the UK to Wales and Ireland, and further North to Scotland where cases are present and clearly evident in the landscape.

Once the tree is infected the speed of decline and death can vary depending on its age, proximity to other ash trees, and further exposure to the spores.  As the trees becomes stressed through the impact of the disease it weakens the tree and makes it more susceptible to other diseases like honey fugus which can further hasten its demise.  As the disease is relatively new to the UK, landowners took time to understand the seriousness of this disease and the likely rate of decline and associated Health and Safety risks.

Ash makes up 12% of broadleaf woodland in the UK and it is estimated that there are between 150-180 million individual ash trees growing either as stands of Ash, in mixed broadleaf woodland or single trees growing in all locations especially hedge rows or specimen trees.   Euroforest have been heavily involved in Ash dieback in recent years and have become the go to service provider for landowners who have identified the Health and Safety risks Ash dieback poses to all land users.

Euroforest have worked closely with landowners across the South of England and have developed considerable business offering Ash clearance work.  Hardwood felling now makes up 50% of Euroforests’ core business in the South of England and we are regularly involved with large scale projects working with landowners removing thousands of tonnes of dead/dying Ash. We also offer a service to smaller landowners who might only need to remove a few high-risk trees from their land.