Your Guide To Ash Dieback

Everything You Need To Know About Ash Dieback For Better Tree Health

Ash trees across the UK are under threat from a unique tree disease known as Ash Dieback. This is a common tree disease across the country and can be fatal to your landscape if left unattended.

Ash Dieback is one of the most harmful tree diseases in the nation and can spread quickly, which is why proper care if needed.

At Beechwood Tree Care, we have been providing tree surgery, tree surveys and overall tree care for over two decades. We have a lot of experience in managing tree diseases, like Ash Dieback, and are committed to enhancing the health of our landscapes across Berkshire and the surrounding areas.

In this guide, we are sharing everything you need to know about Ash Dieback and how you can better care for your landscapes to prevent the spread of disease.

What Is Ash Dieback?

Ash Dieback is a deadly tree disease that effects ash trees across get UK and will kill over 80%.

This disease is caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus, which originated in Asia and spread to Europe via the global plant trade.

With its windborne spores, the fungus spreads quickly which is why Ash Dieback is so deadly. The spores of the fungus can quickly spread across Ash trees, causing the crown of the tree to die back and often resulting in the death of the tree.

Infected trees become brittle, increasing the risk of them becoming unstable or shedding limbs making them dangerous to have in any landscape.

What Does Ash Dieback Look Like?

Understanding what Ash Dieback looks like and recognising the physical symptoms of this disease can be crucial to maintaining the health of your landscape.

The first signs of Ash Dieback manifest in ways that make the tree look like it is dying back from the top. All healthy trees with normal vitality should have leaf coverage right to the very tips of their stems, but with Ash dieback, the outer extremities of the tree die.

As well as this, you will notice that the tree starts to put on lots of upright internal regrowth, looks thinner on the outside, and it may develop blackened leaves and even diamond-shaped lesions.

How Will It Affect My Trees?

We have seen a vast increase in cases across the region this year, with many trees dying in a short space of time because of Ash Dieback.

At this time we don’t have a cure for Ash Dieback and unfortunately, if your trees do catch it, they will almost certainly decline and die. This is because of the way the fungus works. The fungus causes the trees to become very brittle, so any trees which overhang public areas or any frequently used outdoor space will need to be removed before branches start to fall.

Hiring professional tree surgeons like those on our team is the best solution when dealing with Ash Dieback or similar tree diseases, as we provide professional tree removal to ensure the safety of your landscape once more.

What Happens Next?

If you think your Ash tree is infected, we recommend seeking immediate treatment.

Based on the location of the tree and the progression of the fungus, the disease may be able to be retained for the time being to protect your landscape.

Unfortunately, if you do notice any signs of Ash Dieback, it will be a waiting game to see if your trees get the disease as it can spread quickly. There is no cure for this tree disease and the best course of action is to remove infected trees.

We advise our customers to keep a photo diary of the affected trees so that we can assess their progress and determine the best treatment for your landscape.

Ash Dieback can be monitored, but we’d advise being vigilant and planning for the future if you have Ash Trees. Tree removal can be expensive, and this can be avoided with careful planning and the right landscape care.

Acting quickly whenever you notice signs of Ash Dieback is the best way to protect your landscape and prevent all Ash trees from being removed.