Issue details

This report sets out the implications of Ash Dieback Disease for ash trees owned by this Council, how diseased trees should be managed and the estimated costs to the Council to manage this disease.

Many ash trees within the Borough are suffering from the effects of Ash Dieback Disease. Ash Dieback Disease is expected to kill the majority of ash trees within the Borough over the next 5-10 years. The nature of the disease means that ash trees become brittle and can regularly fail in whole or in part as the disease becomes established in the tree. Failing ash trees therefore pose an increased risk of harm to people and property.  It is necessary for the Council to have a clear regime in place to monitor the ash trees it owns and arrange for works to, or the felling of ash trees, which are significantly affected by the disease.