Chalara dieback of ash

Whilst 22.5% of Northumberland National Park is covered by woodland and forest, only 3% is broadleaved woodland and a large proportion of this does not contain ash trees. However, concerns about the national outbreak of chalara fraxinea, ash dieback, has led staff at Northumberland National Park Authority to be vigilant about the spread of this disease.

Northumberland National Park are working with colleagues at the Forestry Commission who are undertaking surveys across the country, the first task is to establish whether the disease has reached ash trees within the woods and hedgerows of the National Park. To date this is not thought to be the case but trees recently planted in the Newcastle area have been found to be infected, most probably originating from the nursery stock itself rather than being infected locally.

If you have concerns about this disease and its spread, would like to know more about how to identify it or know what bio-security precautions to take to prevent its possible spread please visit the Forestry Commission website for the latest information.