Die-back kills off 90% of Denmark's ash trees. Britain faces a similar threat

[Tinker]

I've had a quick rummage on the net looking for the policy regarding disposal of diseased timber to no effect. As a green wood worker who uses ash for many jobs/products, I want to know if timber from infected trees can be used or is this academic as the timber is burned on pruning/felling.

 

From the information I have read, die back affects the smaller branches of the crown and usually it is the stem or large branches that are used in woodwork. If a tree is infected does it affect the whole tree?

 

Thanks in advance of help.

[treeseer]

Don't believe the hype generated by the newspapers

[treetoppers]

Great news in good time saving valuable native species .

[benedmonds]

Don't believe the hype generated by the newspapers

 

I would tend to agree but the observer is a "quality paper" rather than a "red top..."

 

The other research papers I have seen data is a few years old.

[slack ma girdle]

Just been sent this:

May I refer you to this excellent article in Guardian / Observer, quoting at some length the Danish forest pathologist. Die-back kills off 90% of Denmark's ash trees. Britain faces a similar threat | World news | The Observer

 

“ In the state-owned forest in Zealand, north of Copenhagen, forest pathologist Iben Margrete Thomsen says their hope is that around 1% of ash in Denmark may prove resistant and survive.

Passing a stand of balding trees, she points out one that still has a normal leaf cover – "but, of course, we don't know if that is truly a resistant tree or one that will be affected very soon. In the end, though, only the few ash trees which are not susceptible to the fungus will be left. At first it was only the younger trees, and then we started to see it in the older trees too. Now I can see it everywhere. The fungus itself doesn't immediately kill the tree, but if you think of it acting a little like the HIV virus it weakens the immune system and allows some other disease to come in. It is the secondary disease that will finish the tree off.”.... “The rest of Europe wants the UK to act. They are saying 'get a ban' because they have seen what this disease can do. But whether or not it's too late?" She shrugged. "It may be a case of shutting the stable door when the horse has bolted. Time will tell."

 

We are taking a risk based approach – we are still buying and distributing ash where we have assurances including that all trees are only UK grown. However supplies of infected ash have been imported and have been distributed for planting and our concern is that waiting for the plant health authorities to act may not be sufficient to stop this process quickly enough. Once this has happened it is the landowner – your client – who faces the consequent costs. Plant heath orders are confidential so we have to seek assurances direct from nurseries.

 

This might shift the balance back in favor of smaller nurseries and we are not adverse to paying for guaranteed quality and good customer service.

 

 

Jerry Langford

 

Cyfarwyddwr Cymru / Director Wales

Rhif Ffon / Phone 0845 293 5716

[woodland]

Very sad news just read that the first confirmed case of Chalara fraxinea has been reported in the West of ireland. The huge demand for Ash butts for hurl making in Ireland has increased the amount of Ash imported from Europe. But what drives me mad is the fact that forest Service continue to encourage mono culture plantations in Ireland:thumbdown:, No such thing as has having a species rich woodland far from it pack in as much of one species as you can and watch diease rip through a crop:confused1:

[davyjones]

See attached briefing note from FC for info + links to additional resources. This disease is a serious threat, at least on the scale of DED in the 70s.

C fraxinea.pdf

[NI Tree]

fera are holding a consultation on this at the minute

 

letter from dardni web site

http://www.dardni.gov.uk/consultation-document-ash-dieback.pdf

 

they proposse 2 options of dealing

Option 1 - A suppression programme, if the results of current surveillance indicate that

ash dieback is established with limited distribution.

Option 2 - An eradication programme, if the results of current surveillance indicate that

ash dieback is not established.

[WoodED]

we are having 600 wips checked that we planted a year ago.. a chap is checking them on wedensday

[NI Tree]

that good too here people being proactive. well done Ed