The discovery of cases of ash dieback disease in Scotland has promoted calls for walkers to take action not to spread the disease if they are visiting woods. Carol Evans, director of the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “It’s worrying that more confirmed and suspected cases of Chalara ash dieback have been identified in Scotland, although given the scale of the search that has been carried out we had expected to see some.
“Hopefully we’ll continue to see prompt action where infected trees have been found to try and ensure that the disease doesn’t spread further from these locations.
“It’s important to remember that this is just one of many diseases and pests that are threatening Scotland’s native trees and woods. The Woodland Trust is attending an emergency summit in London on Wednesday 7 November to review the question of tree diseases and pests in the UK. We need the government to develop clear guidance for landowners on the best way to tackle the pests and diseases already present. Tighter biosecurity measures are also needed to stop new threats coming into the country.
“We would ask people visiting woods this autumn to keep to main paths, comply with any notices, and show tree diseases a clean pair of heels by following basic biosecurity measures, including washing footwear, bike and car tyres before visiting any other sites.”
Chalara ash dieback is a disease caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea. It affects ash trees and has had a devastating impact on the species in Europe. Its impact on Scotland’s ash trees could be as great as that from Dutch Elm disease. Seven sites in Scotland have been confirmed as being infected by the fungal disease during a survey by Forestry Commission Scotland.
Of the 2,730 sites inspected by workers over the past five days, 5% showed potential symptoms and will be revisited for further investigation. The disease is threatening to devastate Britain’s 80 million ash population and has already infected up to 90% of ash trees in some areas of Denmark.
The disease has been confirmed at a woodland near Kilmacolm in Inverclyde, a private nursery in the north east, near Eyemouth in the Borders, near Carrbridge in the Highlands, near Blairgowrie in Perthshire, near Montrose in Angus and at Dalbeattie Forest in Dumfries and Galloway. Woodland experts are urging walkers visiting any woods in Britain to take the precautions outlined above and not just in the areas where the disease has been confirmed.