Worcester Inspects Ash Trees for Deadly Disease Affecting a Quarter

Worcester: The city is on top of things with its Ash Dieback Strategy. They started checking trees in parks and green spaces last year. So far, they’ve found seven trees that need some work to keep everyone safe.

Ash dieback is a nasty fungal infection that messes with a tree’s water supply, leading to its demise. You can spot signs of it, like dark patches or black leaves, mainly between June and September.

This year, the council plans to map out key ash trees and keep an eye on areas where the disease is spreading. Councillor Zoe Cookson, who heads the environment committee, mentioned that the team has been busy inspecting trees to see how bad the disease is.

They’re only going to cut back or remove trees that could seriously harm the public. Trees that aren’t a big risk will be left alone and managed carefully. If you see a tree that looks sick or dangerous, the city council wants you to reach out through their website.

The environment committee will also discuss approving £45,000 from a special budget for ongoing assessments and work related to ash dieback at their meeting on January 28.