Ash to Ashes
The European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is the UKs the third most common native tree and provides habitats and resources for over 1000 other species. Ash trees provide unique habitat services through leaf litter composition, fast nutrient cycling and light penetrable canopies.
Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a species of fungus originating from East Asia and has spread rapidly through the UK following its introduction via the importation of infected trees from mainland Europe to the UK. It was first recorded in southeast England in 2012, however it is thought it may have been present in the UK since 2005. The spores of the fungus are easily spread over many kilometres by the wind making it difficult to control. It is estimated that up to 80% of all ash trees within the UK will be affected by ash dieback in the future.
The European ash has no natural defences against this fungus, unlike the native hosts, the Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) and the Chinese ash...