What is Ash Dieback?

Ash dieback is an exotic, non-native disease which affects ash trees, brought in from Asia. The fungus has two phases to its lifetime – a sexual phase, during which the fungus grows on the host tree and helps it to spread, and a secondary stage during which the fungus becomes adapted to the deciduous part of the tree, causing it to die back, and also causing the tree to die and decay. If you suspect this problem with your trees, contact a Tree Surgeon Bournemouth like Kieran Boyland

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When it dies back and dies off, it leaves a powdery substance behind, called conchiolin, which can be detected on dead leaves and needles of trees. This conchiolin can then easily spread out from tree to tree, spreading devastation to whole forests. The most common areas where the fungus can spread are in wet woodlands (in forests and poplar groves), forests with low growing grasses or in wetland areas where clay soils are common.

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Now, thanks to our wonderful global technology, we have the tools to keep our Earth healthy. Using non-toxic chemicals, along with wood treatments can help us to manage our woodlands properly, stop the spread of pathogens and help us to restore the health of our ecosystems. In fact, many countries throughout the world have already used such treatments to control unwanted disease growth in their forests.

 

Author: Richard Brown

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