Latest news with #AshDieback
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Ash dieback: It's hard to ignore the lines of dead and dying trees around Ireland
Travelling across Ireland, it is hard to ignore the lines of dead and dying ash trees in the hedges. Ash dieback is a serious disease caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. The spores of the fungus blow in the wind and infect ash foliage, turning the leaf-tips brown. It damages the leaves and twigs by making a chemical that is very toxic to the ash. The fungus produces spores which form sticky masses which then spread through the leaf stalks, down into the branches, trunk and roots, blocking off the tree's water supply. The leaves wilt and turn brown, lesions appear on the trunk and twigs decay resulting in crown dieback. The spores can only survive in the air for a few days so dispersal is limited. Even so, the disease has spread rapidly across much of Europe. It was first noted in Ireland in October 2012 on plants imported from Continental Europe and is now recorded in every county. The disease can affect ash trees of any age and in any setting. It can be fatal, particularly among younger trees, while older specimens can hang on a bit longer as they have greater resources at their disposal. While I will mourn the loss of ash in our own woodland it will also be interesting to see which species takes its place as gaps open up in the canopy. The loss of ash trees is likely to lead to their replacement by sycamore and other species which are not native in Ireland, resulting in changes to the composition of the woods. Ash is so common in the landscape that the dieback is already having dramatic effects across the country. Almost every hedgerow has some ash and, along with hawthorn, it must be one of the most abundant woody plants in Ireland. History tells us that ash trees were often grown in important locations of Ireland. The historic kingship of Usnagh had an ash at its centre. Another one, known as Bile Tortan , stood in Co Meath and was regarded in Celtic times as a protection by the gods of the land and its fertility. The appearance of new leaves on the trees is often considered in rural areas as a sign of the summer to come. 'Oak before ash, we're in for a splash; ash before oak we're in for a soak,' was a traditional country saying that I learned as a child. I wonder if there is any hope for ash trees in view of the rapid spread of the disease. Is there a resistant strain of the species that will survive the initial onslaught to pass on its genes to the next generation? A very small proportion of ash trees show natural tolerance to the pathogen. This means that they show minor symptoms and the disease does not have a noticeable impact on their growth or health. Teagasc , the agriculture and food development authority, is working to identify such trees and build up a gene bank with the ultimate goal of producing tolerant ash seed and restore ash trees to Irish forests and hedgerows. These genotypes will be used to bulk up stocks of tolerant trees and establish seed-producing orchards. They are forming a collection of tolerant genotypes of ash by importing material from different ash breeding programmes in Europe. To date, Teagasc has built a collection of 200 tolerant genotypes. Multiple copies of each genotype have been produced by grafting. I will be watching our ash trees closely over the next few years to see if there is any inherent resistance here. In a woodland such as ours, where biodiversity is more important than timber production, we will be leaving nature to take its course and it will become apparent quite soon which, if any, of the ash trees are tolerant of the disease. Whatever happens in the future, it is certain that some plants and animals associated with ash will suffer. Recent research in the UK has produced the most comprehensive account of all plant and animal species known to use ash. A staggering total of nearly a thousand species was listed. If the dieback is slow, then perhaps the gaps in the canopy of many poorly managed woodlands will help them to diversify by allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor, thus stimulating seedlings to germinate. I am optimistic that nature will find a way around this as it has done with many other plant pathogens. Richard Nairn is an ecologist and writer. His latest book is Future Wild: Nature Restoration in Ireland
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
West Lothian still clearing away damage from Storm Eowyn four months on
West Lothian Council received more than 1,300 calls about storm damaged trees from January to the end of March this year. Work is still being done to clear up the damage caused by Storm Eowyn in the worst hit area of West Lothian, almost four months after the devastating weather event. West Lothian Council received more than 1,300 calls about storm damaged trees from January to the end of March this year. And more than 300 calls - the highest in the county - came from southern Livingston after Storm Eowyn swept through. David Lees, Cleaner communities manager, gave an update four months after the storm and said: 'All areas are now open but there's still work to carried out to complete the tidy up.' Contractors brought in to help with Ash Dieback cutting had spent most of February and March diverted to help the arbor teams clear fallen and dangerous trees. Councillors on the Livingston South Local Area Committee heard in a report from Mr Lees: 'The two areas which were the most affected where the highest reports were submitted were Livingston North 272 and Livingston South 303, with East Livingston and East Calder 172. This was based on enquiries between 24 January and 31 March. 'Following Storm Eowyn which affected West Lothian on 24 January 2025 there were 1,354 enquiries raised regarding tree damage, either uprooted trees or windblown trees with the potential to fall up to 31 March.' Of those calls 370 (27%) of these enquiries were raised within the first 24 hours. Mr Lees added: 'To effectively manage the volume of reports the service triaged each enquiry and allocated a red, amber or green status so the Arbor Team could deal with emergencies first which included blocked roads, damage to property, blocked footpaths and danger to life and limb.' Safety patrols were carried out at Linhouse and Murieston by the Ranger Service in the days following with both fallen and dangerous trees identified and recorded and access managed through signage and barriers. Councillor Maria MacAulay asked: ' I know the trees have been made safe but does that mean that all the potentially damaged trees have been dealt with?' Mr Lees replied: 'At the moment we have been dealing with the trees that have come down, blocked paths and cause problems but we will be going out to all areas to see if there are trees that cause concern that they need to deal with.' The report to the committee added: 'Our country parks were also badly affected and the decision was taken to close the parks while assessment of the damage was undertaken by the Rangers and arbor teams. Areas were sealed off to the public due to health and safety risks and work is still being completed on our woodlands to remove any damaged trees.' Ash Dieback removal at Howden West Road, near St Johns Hospital, was postponed to divert resources on to storm works. This work started at the end of April.
Edinburgh Live
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian still clearing away damage from Storm Eowyn four months on
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Work is still being done to clear up the damage caused by Storm Eowyn in the worst hit area of West Lothian, almost four months after the devastating weather event. West Lothian Council received more than 1,300 calls about storm damaged trees from January to the end of March this year. And more than 300 calls - the highest in the county - came from southern Livingston after Storm Eowyn swept through. David Lees, Cleaner communities manager, gave an update four months after the storm and said: 'All areas are now open but there's still work to carried out to complete the tidy up." Contractors brought in to help with Ash Dieback cutting had spent most of February and March diverted to help the arbor teams clear fallen and dangerous trees. Councillors on the Livingston South Local Area Committee heard in a report from Mr Lees: 'The two areas which were the most affected where the highest reports were submitted were Livingston North 272 and Livingston South 303, with East Livingston and East Calder 172. This was based on enquiries between 24 January and 31 March. 'Following Storm Eowyn which affected West Lothian on 24 January 2025 there were 1,354 enquiries raised regarding tree damage, either uprooted trees or windblown trees with the potential to fall up to 31 March.' Of those calls 370 (27%) of these enquiries were raised within the first 24 hours. Mr Lees added: 'To effectively manage the volume of reports the service triaged each enquiry and allocated a red, amber or green status so the arbor team could deal with emergencies first which included blocked roads, damage to property, blocked footpaths and danger to life and limb.' Safety patrols were carried out at Linhouse and Murieston by the Ranger Service in the days following with both fallen and dangerous trees identified and recorded and access managed through signage and barriers. Councillor Maria MacAulay asked: ' I know the trees have been made safe but does that mean that all the potentially damaged trees have been dealt with?' Mr Lees replied: 'At the moment we have been dealing with the trees that have come down, blocked paths and cause problems but we will be going out to all areas to see if there are trees that cause concern that they need to deal with.' The report to the committee added: 'Our country parks were also badly affected and the decision was taken to close the parks while assessment of the damage was undertaken by the Rangers and arbor teams. Areas were sealed off to the public due to health and safety risks and work is still being completed on our woodlands to remove any damaged trees.' Ash Dieback removal at Howden West Road, near St Johns Hospital, was postponed to divert resources on to storm works. This work started at the end of April.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Terrorism declared risk by South Ayrshire Council
Terrorism has been recognised as a bona fide risk by South Ayrshire Council. It comes in the wake of controversial anti-terrorist equipment being installed near Ayr Country Buildings. Until now, the council's strategic risk register has centred around risks such as strategic planning, child and adult protection, environmental issues such as Ash Dieback and the need to change the way services are provided. However, legislation that requires local authorities to work to put in place measures to prevent people from gravitating towards terrorism, has led to the issue being added to the risk register. The register also requires the council to develop mitigation measures to deal with risks. A report to Cabinet outlined why it was now included. The council has previously explained its reasons for installing the barriers at Ayr Esplanade, citing a number of incidents that have seen attacks using vehicles on heavily pedestriansed areas and events - with the latest being seen at a Filipino festival in Canada. The report stated: "It has also been considered appropriate to include a new risk in relation to Prevent Counter-terrorism. "There is a risk of a terrorist attack or event, with the potential of causing mass casualties and/or fatalities. "The unfettered development of radical groups, and local networks who are enabled to organise and coordinate significant fear and alarm in South Ayrshire for political or religious reasons." The report says that the development of these groups and potential actions they could take could cause 'mass casualties and/or fatalities. "A terrorist attack could cause significant infrastructure damage to buildings, transport networks (including Prestwick Airport, Ferry Terminal and Train travel) and power and energy supply." Such an incident could also have an impact on minority groups who are wrongly believed to share radical views. The report states that an attack could result in 'civil disobedience and reaction towards minority people groups who are misunderstood to hold similar radicalised and terrorist views, such as Islamic fundamentalism, and impact upon law abiding Muslims in South Ayrshire." The Prevent strategy seeks to support people at danger of unwittingly joining radical groups. The report states: "The use of the National Prevent strategy in South Ayrshire, together with Partners, specifically Police Scotland and their Prevent Specialist team." The development of the strategy sees council staff trained in raising concerns, with particular support for vulnerable people targeted for recruitment by groups seeking bodies to undertake actions that could ultimately deemed as terrorist. The risk register also includes details of some of the work being undertaken by the council. It states: "SAC have clear policies and procedures in place to address radicalisation with staff groups and know how to raise a concern. "SAC has a clear policy and procedure in place for letting and use of all Council properties and buildings, that none are used for the purpose of radicalisation or terrorist propagation and recruitment."
Press and Journal
22-04-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Inverness family blocked from building new home in their own garden due to concerns for trees
Concern for mature trees and local biodiversity has stopped an Inverness resident from building a house in their own family garden. Applicant Hugh Barron appealed to councillors after a proposal to construct a three-bedroom property was rejected by council planners. The plans also received objections from a number of local residents in the Aultnaskiach cul-de-sac, who raised concerns for trees and wildlife in the area. Mr Barron originally wanted a four-bedroom house within the plot of his mother's home, but later reduced it to three after the council and local residents took issue. Speaking on behalf of nine other residents, Sean Richmond said the house would lead to a 'demonstrable loss of biodiversity' and objected to the plans. They added Mr Barron, a retired geoscientist, has already felled four trees on the proposed site. Donnie and Katy Martin were next door to the plot and said the root systems of nearby protected trees would have been impacted by the building work. Mr Barron, who has family connections in the area going back over 60 years, attempted to address concerns ahead of the council review. He said assurances had been made from developers any trees still standing would be safe during construction. He defended the removal of four trees from the site, saying one had Ash Dieback, two had destroyed a shed and one was blocking the sun from a greenhouse. Mr Barron said he planned to plant six new trees and grow hedges on the site to improve biodiversity, and his family have a record of preserving nature. His family has bought the nearby Aultnaskiach Dell 'to prevent its destruction' with the area now a thriving community woodland. Mr Barron added: 'I would like to continue a deep connection with Aultnaskiach going back over 60 years and to live a quiet but active retirement.' He added the house would allow him to continue to care for his mother and 'contribute to the wellbeing of this unique woodland area.' Councillor Margaret Paterson said: 'As councillors on the [Planning Review Body] we should be looking out more for trees. 'Once trees are taken away it takes years for any other ones to grow to that height.' She added she was very concerned about the impact the house would have on the trees and beech hedge. Councillor Paul Oldham said: 'I am concerned, not just with the four trees that have been mentioned but also the representations from residents about other trees that may be affected.' The committee agreed with planning officers that the development could not go ahead 'without damage to the remaining trees and loss of biodiversity' and was subsequently refused.
