18/07/2014

Executive Appeal Over Ash Dieback

The Executive has released a statement reminding the public to be aware of the threat posed by the tree disease known as 'Ash Dieback'.

Farmers, forest owners and the wider public are being asked to be vigilant to spot the signs of the disease and to report any suspected symptoms.

Chalara Ash Dieback is caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea (C. fraxinea). The disease may be spread by:

• rain

• insects

• movement of diseased ash plants

• movement of logs or untreated wood from infected trees



The main symptoms to look out for are:

• wilting and blackening of young shoots

• loss of leaves from the top of the tree

• darker diamond-shaped lesions on the bark where the shoot joins the main trunk

• fruiting bodies (three to five mm size creamy-coloured ‘mushroom-shaped structures’) on dead leaf litter from now until October



Ash dieback was first found in Northern Ireland in November 2012. 93 places have so far been confirmed with the infection, 90 of which are recently planted sites across all counties.

(IT/MH)

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