National Trust site hit by devastating tree disease
THE ranger team at a South Derbyshire National Trust estate is battling the devastating tree disease ash dieback.
The “vast majority” of ash trees at Calke Abbey in Ticknall have been affected by the fungal disease, according to the trust.
Nationally, it says “significant” numbers of trees may have to be felled, although in the case of Calke Abbey, it says this will only happen with trees that “pose a genuine risk to safety”.
The fungus is windborne and spreads quickly, affecting the trees from the top down. The disease is usually fatal and affected trees can take from one to 30 years to die, although, the trust says, there has been a rapid increase in trees in severe decline this year.
In a statement earlier this month, it warned that during this winter alone, the impact of ash dieback will lead to more than 30,000 trees being felled at a cost of more than £3 million.
Ash trees suffering from the disease decay and can become dangerous to the public so many have to be cut down. The cost has risen from £2 million last year and it is expected between 75-95 per cent of all ash trees are likely to be lost in the next 20-30 years.
The trust said the growing likelihood of extreme weather due to the climate crisis was also worsening the outlook for trees.
Its head of trees and woodland, John Deakin, said: “We are seeing changing weather patterns of milder and wetter winters and warmer summers that are creating the ideal environment for pests and disease to spread. Increased droughts and storm events are stressing our trees, reducing their ability to resist pathogens.
“This could have a catastrophic impact on our countryside and for nature, as homes for wildlife are depleted.
“Many iconic and native species may disappear, which is why it is crucial we act now to choose the trees most suited to the places which they will become established, creating landscapes and woodlands that are more resilient to the changing weather we are likely to experience with increasing regularity.”