Health experts issue warnings over ash tree disease

Plant health experts have warned of a disease that is threatening Britain’s Ash trees. The disease, which is known as ash dieback, is caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea. Trees that are affected by the disease will lose leaves and may eventually die.

There is now serious concerns over the disease in Britain after a consignment of imported trees from Holland were found to be affected. The trees were imported by an unnamed nursery in the South East in November last year and sold to around 90 different firms and gardeners nationwide.

Inspectors from the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) are now trying to trace the trees to prevent the disease from spreading. Those that purchased the trees have already been ordered to destroy them.

Experts are now worried that the disease could have a serious impact.

“The worst case scenario is that if left unchecked the disease could have a very serious impact,” said Richard McIntosh from FERA’s plant health policy team.

“We would hope that individuals who have received notices to destroy trees would be cooperative and responsible.

“It is not in anyone’s interests to have diseased trees in their gardens or on their properties.”