Chalara dieback of ash (Chalara fraxinea)

This is a serious disease of ash trees caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea. It has been brought into this country through the import of infected young trees.

Ash die-back disease is being treated as a quarantine pest under national emergency measures, and it is important that suspected cases of the disease are reported to the Forestry Commission or FERA (Food and Environment Research Agency) / DEFRA Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).

If you think you may have an infected tree, contact a qualified tree surgeon who can advise you.

All suspected cases should be reported directly to the Forestry Commission using the online reporting form on their website.  By telephone , you can call DEFRA on 08459 33 55 77 (open 8am - 6pm every day)

Detailed information on Chalara fraxinea can be found on the Woodland Trust website and Forest Research website.

DEFRA have produced a management plan detailing the response to the disease which updates their interim control plan that was published on the 6 December 2012. This can be viewed here: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2013/03/26/pb13936-chalara-management-plan/

Newcastle City Council are remaining vigilant with regard to its own tree stock and urge private landowners and the public to do the same.