National Trust site battling 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 wind-borne 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.
The National Trust 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
CALKE RANGERS FIGHTING ASH DIEBACK of extreme weather due to the to spread. Increased droughts and may disappear, which is why it is climate crisis was also worsening the storm events are stressing our trees, crucial we act now to choose the outlook for trees. reducing their ability to resist pathogens. trees most suited to the places which
Its head of trees and woodland, they will become established, John Deakin, said: “We are seeing “This could have a catastrophic creating landscapes and woodlands changing weather patterns of milder impact on our countryside and for that are more resilient to the changing and wetter winters and warmer nature, as homes for wildlife are weather we are likely to summers that are creating the ideal depleted. experience with increasing regularity.” environment for pests and disease “Many iconic and native species