Ash Dieback programme

Our Ash Dieback programme highlights the scale, precision, and adaptability required to manage infected trees across rural highways and countryside corridors. The images reflect the varied environments we operate in – from open verges and winding lanes to densely vegetated roadside banks – each presenting its own access and safety challenges.

Working alongside accredited external traffic management partners, we ensure safe work zones and uninterrupted road user flow while our teams focus on arboricultural operations.

The fungus causes infected wood to become almost hollow inside which means it is weak and brittle an is the a safety risk. After the death of a tree surgeon the advice has been not to go near the worst affected trees and use heavy machinery instead to bring them down. Read more on BBC website: : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60929266

To deliver these works efficiently and safely, we deploy a diverse fleet of specialist equipment, including:

MEWPs for canopy access
rigging systems for controlled dismantling
high‑capacity chippers and loaders for material handling
4×4 support vehicles for remote terrain

Our excavator, fitted with both shear and grapple‑saw attachments, enables rapid, controlled removal of unstable ash, significantly reducing operator exposure and increasing productivity on high‑volume sections. Whether processing substantial quantities of diseased timber or restoring roadside safety, our teams combine technical expertise with robust safety controls and environmental care throughout every phase of the project.

Ash Die Back Hollow Trunk Seen After Cutting

Cross section of the trunk of an infected Ash tree that has suffered from Ash dieback (a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)

What is Ash Dieback?

Ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. It kills the trees by blocking their vascular system (restricting the movement of water and nutrients) slowly starving the tree from the top or crown first and then spreads downwards. Young trees may be killed within a single season and mature trees may take several years, sometimes the death of the tree is from other pathogens that are able to attack a weak infected tree.

What are the signs?

Look for wilting leaves in mid-summer (July–Sept), black, dead leaves remaining on branches, diamond-shaped, dark lesions on the bark, and premature leaf loss. The photo of this tree shows the bare branches at the top that grow upwards

Is there a cure?

There is no known cure or preventative treatment for the disease. It is estimated that Ash dieback will kill up to 80% of ask trees across the UK.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/tree-pests-and-diseases/key-tree-pests-and-diseases/ash-dieback/

What happens to the tree?

The fungus causes the tree to shed leaves and die back, making them brittle and dangerous. It is often fatal, either directly or by making the tree susceptible to other pests like honey fungus.

How does it spread?

The fungus spreads via wind-borne spores from infected leaf litter on the ground between June and October.

What should I do with diseased trees?

If a tree poses a risk to the public (e.g., near roads or footpaths), it should be felled by qualified professionals. It is not necessary to fell healthy-looking trees in anticipation, as some may show resilience.

Can I move infected wood?

There are no legal restrictions on moving ash, but it is advised to burn, bury, or deeply compost leaf litter on-site to reduce local spread.

How to report it?

Sightings can be reported to the Forestry Commission using their online tool, ‘Tree Alert’“. https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/tree-alert/