The demise of the ash?

Our ash trees are in grave danger. The ash dieback fungus (Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus) has made its way over from Europe to the UK and the disease is spreading westward and north. Experts think that between 90% and 99% of English ash trees will die, transforming the countryside just as Dutch elm disease did in the 1970s.

Leaves on a vigorous young ash tree

The disease arrived in the UK in imported saplings. It appears to be a new pathogen, or at least newly vigorous and dangerous. From 1992 onwards it devasted ash in Poland and it arrived in Britain in February 2012.

The impact will be severe because ash is widespread and common in British hedges and woodlands as well as in our towns and villages.

I've been photographing ash trees as a record of what we are likely to lose. I've found a couple of specimens that may be carrying the disease, although I haven't been able to get a close look at the detailed symptoms.

All the other trees I've seen in our area look healthy - for the moment.

Unfortunately, modern transport systems and widespread travel make further tree diseases likely, though nobody can predict which species will be next or where the problem will begin.

In the case of elms, some older trees survive in a few localities and hopefully the same may be true for ash.

(If you liked this you might also like Journeys of heart and mind and Quote me on this.)