Killer tree disease

ADVICE about a killer tree disease should be given to Carmarthenshire landowners and the public as soon as possible, a councillor has said.

Councillor Mansel Charles made the call after being told at a meeting that ash dieback, which is expected to wipe out millions of ash trees across the UK, can’t be stopped.

Council officers told the environmental and public protection committee that colleagues had attended a seminar held by The Tree Council on ash dieback, and that highways officers would be looking out for affected trees.

Ash dieback is an airborne fungal disease which causes ash to lose their leaves and become brittle, potentially causing larger ones to topple over without warning.

Councillor Charles said: “I think it’s imperative for the county council that advice, publicity and information is distributed as soon as possible.”

The committee was told that information about the disease would be added to the council’s website, and a campaign to inform landowners would be launched.

Swansea Council has started felling trees weakened by ash dieback and is advising landowners to contact a trained arborist if they are concerned about trees.

Members of the committee requested a presentation about tree diseases at their next meeting.