Our native ash trees are under threat from a new tree disease. The confirmed arrival of Chalara (now Hymenocyphus fraxinea) in 2012 now means that Ash-dieback has a more virulent and devastating cause. Chalara (ka-lar-a) infection is now causing rapid decline and ultimately death of young, middle aged and mature Ash trees across all counties of England, Scotland and Wales.

The decline poses a risk to landowners for both public safety and deterioration of woodland cover and the ecological, social and economic benefits these woodlands provide. In turn is creating problems for forestry and woodland managers, as well as massively increasing tree related public safety risk for everything from rural to urban situations. Infection with this fungal pathogen leads to rapid canopy decline, limb and canopy weakness and ultimately whole tree instability – a specific concern for those with land and property management responsibilities. A recently published report, via the BBC, highlighted these liability issues.