Ash dieback has been found in Cumbria.
Cumberland Council is alerting people that the disease is affecting some trees in its area and is asking people to keep an eye out.
Ash dieback is the worst tree disease since the Dutch elm outbreak in the late 1970s, which effectively wiped out mature elms from the British landscape.
It is predicted that within the next decade, up to 90% of all ash trees across the UK will be affected, leading to significant tree removal.
Infected trees can become brittle, posing a safety risk as they may fall or shatter without warning, which requires the use of heavy machinery for removal to maintain the safety of the operative undertaking the works.
The fungal infection has spread extensively across the UK, with no known cure. Once a tree is infected through its leaves or twigs, the progression of the disease varies, but it can eventually kill the tree.
As ash trees are a dominant species along roadsides in Cumberland, the removal of infected trees is expected to significantly alter the local landscape over the coming years. The impact of ash dieback will likely persist as the infection spreads and continues to weaken already infected trees.
Young trees are particularly vulnerable and may die within a couple of years, mature trees usually take longer to succumb to the disease. Large trees affected by ash dieback and secondary fungal infections can become hazardous well before they die completely.
The council’s tree specialists have been surveying the road network – most A roads, some B roads and C roads – to gather data and record where ash trees are and what level of infection they are showing.
This information helps to prioritise any action required, such as felling, maintenance or further inspections, the authority said.
Cumberland Council added it was planning to extend these surveys over the coming years so that all of the road networks will be surveyed, and this will continue until all trees have been managed.
It said: “Cumberland Council is actively engaging with parish and town councils, as well as members of the public who own ash trees near public highways, that are infected and potentially hazardous.
“This proactive approach will help the landowner to organise appropriate companies to manage the infected trees, to ensure it does not become a risk to other people or property, and the council is actively hoping that landowners with Ash trees will start to manage them on their own.
“Tree removal is considered a last resort, aligning with the council’s policy, which directs removal only in cases where the tree is dead, dying, diseased, or dangerous. Consequently, only trees meeting this criteria will be removed.
If landowners have received a letter regarding felling ash trees and need more help, they should call Cumbria Highways on 0300 373 3736.
