Ash Dieback: What Staffordshire Homeowners Need to Know

Ash dieback has spread right across the country since it was first confirmed in the UK in 2012, and Staffordshire is no exception. We see it in gardens, along roadsides, on farms and on commercial sites. If you have an ash tree on your property, it is worth knowing what to look out for.

What is ash dieback?

It is a disease caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which blows in on the wind from infected leaf litter. It blocks the water transport system in the tree, so the tree starts to die back from the tips of the branches inwards. Some ash trees show tolerance and survive, but a large proportion decline over a few years.

How to spot it

Spring and early summer, once the leaves are out, is the easiest time to check. Look for:

• Thin, patchy crowns compared with other trees nearby.
• Leaves that wilt and turn black in summer, rather than changing colour in autumn.
• Dead twigs and branches at the top and outer edges of the crown.
• Diamond-shaped dark lesions on the bark where side shoots join the trunk or branches.
• Lots of bushy new shoots sprouting from the trunk and main branches, as the tree tries to recover.

Why it matters for safety

The main problem is that infected ash trees become brittle. Dead wood in ash can be very unpredictable and branches can drop with little warning. As the disease progresses, the roots can also be affected, which makes the whole tree more likely to fail. Badly infected ash can also be dangerous to climb, which is why we often use an elevating platform for this work.

If you have an ash tree near a house, a road, a footpath, a play area or a car park, it is important to keep an eye on it.

What are your options?

Not every infected tree needs to come down. We will look at how much of the crown has been affected and where the tree is:

• Light infection, low risk location. Keep it under regular review. Some trees hold on for years.
• Moderate infection. Remove deadwood and reduce the crown to keep it safe for now.
• Severe infection or high risk location. Fell the tree in a controlled way before it becomes dangerous.

Questions we get asked

Can ash dieback be treated?

There is currently no cure. The best thing you can do is monitor the tree and manage the risk.

Do I need permission to fell an infected ash tree?

If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area, you still need to apply to the council or notify them before work, unless the tree is an immediate danger. On larger sites there may also be felling licence rules. We can help you work out what applies.

Should I plant another ash?

We would suggest a different species for now. Field maple, hornbeam, rowan or small-leaved lime are all good choices depending on your space.

Get an ash tree looked at

M Bissell Trees and Hedges carries out domestic and commercial tree work across Staffordshire. Our team is NPTC qualified and trained to work at height from elevating platforms where a tree is too risky to climb. Call Matt on 07968 421 434 or 01785 82 44 10, or send us your details and we will arrange a visit.