Leaf provides new guidance for farmers on ash dieback

A new guide and video series has been launched to help farmers tackle a deadly fungal disease in ash trees.

Ash dieback, a disease caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea, is rampant and experts believe it has the potential to wipe out up to 95% of the UK’s 150m mature ash trees.

The Farmer’s Guide to Ash Dieback [PDF] and supporting videos offer practical and expert advice to help farmers and landowners to identify and manage the disease in their ash trees.

See also: Business Clinic: Are there grants to remove trees with ash dieback?

Sustainable farming organisation Linking Environment And Farming (Leaf) has produced the resources after farmer workshops revealed a need to raise awareness of ash dieback.

The guide includes sections on to identify and assess the disease and take action to protect and restore trees on farm.

It also looks at wider health and safety issues, legal obligations around felling and how to reduce the costs involved in managing ash dieback. 

Defra biosecurity minister Lord Benyon said the guide will support farmers to be proactive in the management of their ash trees and ensure they remain a precious and much-loved feature of farming landscapes.

More information is available on the Leaf website.