Ash dieback (Hymenosychusfraxineus) or Chalara, has been present in the UK for 20 years but was first recorded in 2012, infecting trees all across the country. The tell-tale sign are the dying off of leaves on the tips creating dead twigs. This quickly becomes dead branches and bigger boughs. The tree reacts and responds by putting out suckers as it knows it’s being attacked. This dead timber becomes very weak and brittle. Once the tree has the disease, unfortunately there is no saving it. Duty of care must be taken for these dying trees. This is easier to spot in the summer months when the leaves are present. If near a road, footpath, house or parkland, the infected trees need to be felled for safety reasons. However, not all ash trees become infected, it is believed that around 5% of ash trees are resistant to the disease. If you have ash trees on your property and you would like a second opinion, please do not hesitate to get in touch.