Ash ban

FEARS over the spread of the disease threatening ash trees in England has now spread as far as relatively treeless Shetland.

Shetland Amenity Trust’s woodlands project has announced that it will no longer seel or plant ash from its nurseries.

The trust has been involved in planting ash trees, which are recommended under the Scottish government woodlands creation scheme for the northern and western isles.

However the arrival of the serious fungal disease Chalara fraxinea on British shores has led to a complete ban on all movements of ash in the UK.

In the meantime, the Shetland woodlands staff will monitor existing trees for any signs of the disease, of which there have so far been no signs in Shetland.

Anyone seeking further information can contact James Mackenzie at james@shetlandamenity.org or on 01595 694688.

A video clearly showing the symptoms of Chalara dieback of ash can be seen on the Forestry Commission’s website at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara