£3.81m to tackle Ash Dieback in Derbyshire

Cabinet members at Derbyshire County Council agreed to set-aside £3.81m to fund the removal of trees affected by ash dieback disease at a recent meeting.

The disease, which is already widespread across the county and expected to infect between 50% and 90% of the ash tree population over the next 10 to 20 years, kills trees making them brittle and unstable.

That means there is the potential for a huge number of trees to fall, posing a risk to public safety.

Funding has been approved for phases of work which will start in the coming weeks and during next financial year to the end of March 2027.

The programme of work to tackle ash dieback disease across Derbyshire will include a number of schemes to remove high volumes of trees which pose an unacceptable risk to public safety in the north of the county – particularly in the High Peak and the Derbyshire Dales – as well as work to remove smaller clusters of diseased trees countywide.

Locations will be prioritised so that those with trees at the highest risk of falling onto a road or public footpath are removed first.

Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, said: “Ash Dieback is a serious problem. It’s a relatively new disease that has spread very quickly and is now present in most parts of the United Kingdom.

“Ash is currently the second most common tree found in Derbyshire. Recent storms and high winds resulted in diseased trees falling onto roads which is why we have accelerated our programme to remove trees affected by the disease.

“We’re making good progress in tackling trees on our own land which pose a danger to public safety due to ash die back disease – but there is still work to do.

“We have a robust plan in place for identifying high risk trees, monitoring or removing them depending on their surroundings, and either allowing the natural regeneration of new trees or replanting either on-site or elsewhere to restore the Derbyshire treescape. We won’t remove trees unnecessarily. We want to retain them if they have immunity to the disease and can help new disease-resistant trees get established – as long as they’re not at risk of falling and causing danger to people or property.”

She added: “Private landowners are reminded that trees on their property are their responsibility and they should monitor ash trees for symptoms of ash dieback.

“If a tree on their land were to injure someone or cause damage to property then the landowner would be liable. Taking steps themselves early on not only reduces the risk but means they’re in control of their own costs too.

“If we’re aware of trees on private property causing a risk to public safety on a road or public path, we’ll try to liaise with the landowner, ask them to remove them, and if action isn’t taken, we may remove them ourselves and seek to reclaim the cost from the landowner under the council’s statutory powers.”

Landowners who suspect ash dieback on their property should consult a tree professional and beware of rogue traders. Reputable tree surgeons can be found through the county council’s Trusted Trader scheme.

Look them up at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/trustedtrader or check out the Arboricultural Association approved list of contractors at www.trees.org.uk and get several quotes.

For more information on ash dieback management visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/ashdieback

Anyone who spots a tree while out and about and is concerned about its safety can report it at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/ashdieback or via email ashdieback @ derbyshire.gov.uk – especially those that are adjacent to highways, on public rights of way or in high traffic areas of parks.