Page 51 - feb-mag-2022
P. 51

February 2022                                                                       February 2022
                                                                                           ASH DIE-BACK


                                                                                            What is Ash Die-Back?
                                                                                             Ash dieback, also known as ‘Chalara ash dieback’ to differentiate it from other
                                                                                            forms  of  ash  dieback,  is  caused  by  Hymenoscyphus  fraxineus,  a  type  of
                                                                                            Ascomycete fungus, and is a chronic fungal disease that affects the European ash
                                                                                            (Fraxinus  excelsior),  also  known  as  the  common  ash.  It  originated  in  Asia  and  is
                                                                                            thought to have been introduced to Europe around 30 years ago.
                                                                                            It  has  devastated  European  ash  populations  ever  since  because  our  native  ash
                                                                                            trees have not evolved with the disease, like their Asian counterparts, and so have
                                                                                            no natural defence against it.
                                                                                            Chalara ash dieback has spread to, and been recorded in, most of the UK.

          When you respond to advertisers, do please tell them you saw
             their advert in this magazine  -  it helps them monitor the                    Is Ash Die-Back preventable?
                                                                                            The Woodland Trust have said “Ash dieback will kill around 80% of ash trees across
             effectiveness of their advert and helps us generate more                       the  UK.  At  a  cost  of  billions,  the  effects  will  be  staggering.  It  will  change  the
                                advertising revenue!!                                       landscape forever and threaten many species which rely on ash.”
                                                                                            It  is  very  difficult  to  control  or  limit  the  spread  of  the  fungus,  as  it  produces  its
                                                                                            fruiting  bodies  between  July  and  October  and  releases  spores  into  the  air.  The
         Paul Martin      07788 185048                                                      wind then carries these spores for up to tens of miles before they stick to, and then

       Electrics          01929 289323                                                      penetrate, the leaves of a tree.
                 paulmartinelectrics@outlook.com                                            It  is  very  difficult  to  control  the  natural  spread  of  an  airborne  fungus  like
                                                                                            Hymenoscyphus  fraxineus,  but  we  can  slow  it  and  do  our  best  to  minimise  the
        Local BH20 electrician,  with over forty years’                                     impact it has on our native ash species.
        experience offering:-
                                                                                            After  you  have  visited,  but  before  leaving,  any  forests,  parks,  woods  or  gardens
         Consumer Unit (fuse                                                               you  can  brush  off  any  mud,  leaves,  twigs,  soil  or  other  debris  and  plant  matter
         board) Replacement                                                                 from  your  footwear  and  from  the  wheels  of  any  cars,  bikes,  buggies  and
         Landlords’ Electrical                                                             wheelchairs  that  you  may  have  brought  with  you.  It  would  be  beneficial  if  you
         Safety Certificate                                                                 washed these when you got home also, before visiting any other areas.
         Additions and                                                                     When visiting any sites that may be affected by Chalara ash dieback, you can try
         Alterations to Existing                                                            to ensure your vehicle is parked on concrete, gravel, tarmac or any other hard-
         Installations                                                                      standing surface as opposed to grassland or dirt, if possible.
         Portable Appliance                                                                Many bike trails in forests have wash-down facilities that visitors can use to wash
         Testing                                                                            their bikes before and after using the trails to reduce the risk of spreading diseases.
        No VAT – Fully Insured                                                              If you manage any grounds, or have ash trees growing on your own grounds, you
        Part P Compliant                                                                    can  help  prevent  the  spread  of  Chalara  by  deep  composting,  burying  or,  if
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        All Work Guaranteed                                                                 permitted, burning any fallen ash leaves. This will help to disrupt the life cycle of

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