Calls for more tree planting to recoup ash disease losses
CALLS are being made for trees to be replanted across Carmarthenshire to replace those affected by ash dieback disease.
Campaign group Trees for Carmarthen has launched a fresh petition calling on Carmarthenshire Council to replace trees killed by the disease.
Despite the petition’s pleas, the authority has already been tackling the issue of ash dieback.
Last month it announced it was looking for areas where new trees could be planted to help make up for the loss of trees affected by ash dieback, a fungal disease having a devastating effect on ash trees across the UK. It is thought around 95% of ash trees could die from it.
Carmarthenshire Council is having to remove affected trees for which it is responsible along A and B roads throughout the county as the trees are at risk of falling. Other landowners are having to take similar action.
The council is now identifying areas where new woodlands can be created which will, in time, absorb carbon dioxide, improve air quality and soil structure and support biodiversity.
The Trees For Carmarthen petition backs what the county council is already doing and has so far attracted almost 250 signatures.
Trees for Carmarthen said: “We originally set up the Facebook page to encourage councils, organisations, and members of the community to understand the importance of climate change and what we can do together to tackle it.
“With over 24,000 being felled Carmarthenshire, need all to be replaced.
“We need a tree planting scheme in place for Carmarthen to become a carbon neutral town by 2030.” Being carbon neutral within nine years is something Carmarthenshire Council is also aiming for across the county.
In March, the council finished planting 77 new trees at St David’s Park in Carmarthen. It includes a mix of pine, lime, cherry, sweet chestnut, birch and oak on the south side of the site, reflecting the Victorian planting that was characteristic of that area, and an avenue of oak trees on another side. trees in we