Here’s what you need to know:

What is Ash Dieback?

Ash dieback is a disease that causes leaf loss, crown dieback, and bark lesions in affected trees. It has led to the death of many ash trees, particularly younger ones, though older trees are also vulnerable.

Symptoms to Watch For 

Leaves:  Wilting, blackened leaves, often still attached to the tree.

Shoots and Twigs: Dark brown to black discoloration and dying back

Branches and Stem: Diamond-shaped lesions and dead patches of bark, especially at the base of affected shoots.

Crown: Progressive dieback from the outer canopy inward, often accompanied by epicormic sprouting within the canopy.

Impact on Trees

Infected trees may die within a few years of showing symptoms, though some may survive longer or show resistance. The disease spreads through spores released by the fungus, which can travel over long distances. Unfortunately ash timber becomes rapidly brittle once the tree has succumbed to the disease, meaning the trees can present a significant hazard to property and to footpaths or highways. Due to the nature of the timber, a mechanically-assisted approach to the removal of these trees is often the only safe method. Swift Tree Services are superbly equipped with our crane & grapplesaw truck and tracked spider MEWP in order to be able to deal with these dangerous trees as safely and efficiently as possible.