Concerns for ash are high (From Malvern Gazette)

Concerns for ash are high

3:40pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

GUARDIANS of Worcestershire’s woodlands remain on high alert to the threat of potentially devastating ash disease.

With hundreds of cases confirmed around the country, including one near to Tenbury Wells, on the edge of Worcestershire, experts from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) are continuing to monitor their trees closely for any sign of the disease.

There are more than two million ash trees in Worcestershire, many of them in woodlands owned by WWT.

Local experts have warned that the spread of the disease could put thousands of trees at risk, but WWT spokesman Wendy Carter said it was a case of no news being good news for the time being.

“There’s no more impact at present and we’re still monitoring our woodlands,” she said.

Ash dieback is a fungal disease that kills ash trees by stripping their leaves from the top down. It can be very difficult to spot, especially in the winter when trees have shed their leaves naturally.

Residents are being urged to remain on the lookout for any sign of the infection and to report any suspicions to the Forestry Commission.

A government task force is currently working up plans for dealing with the ash dieback outbreak.