Ash Dieback disease is caused by the Chalara fraxinea fungus. The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees, and it can lead to tree death. It is believed to spread from both nursery transplants and ash wood, consequently imports of nursery stock, firewood and wood for hurley manufacture in particular all pose a threat.
Chalara fraxinea was first confirmed in eastern Europe in 1992 and it has spread westwards since. The disease was found in Britain in Spring of 2011 and first identified in Ireland in a plantation in Leitrim Autumn 2012. To date there have been 39 confirmed findings of Chalara fraxinia in forestry plantations in counties Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Tipperary and Waterford.
Forest owners and members of the public are asked to be vigilant for the disease and report any sites where there are concerns about unusual ill health in ash to Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning 01 6072651.
Symptoms to look for include necrotic lesions on stems and branches leading to foliage wilt, dieback of branches and death of the top of the crown.
The following links show additional information about the disease and useful information on how to identify Chalara fraxinea:
- Chalara Poster (Teagasc)
- Department Webpage on Chalara
- Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) - DAFM June 2020
- RUS - Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (ash dieback) - Teagasc
- Chalara fraxinea Ash dieback disease - Forest Service Information Note (Dec 2012)
- Ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea) - Teagasc
- Chalara dieback of ash (Chalara fraxinea) - Forestry Commission
- UK Plant Health Risk Register
- Chalara Dieback of Ash - www.observatree.org.uk
Videos to help identify Chalara fraxinea:
- Chalara ash dieback - identifying symptoms in the winter - Forestry Commission video
- Chalara fraxinea - Life Cycle and Symptoms - FERA video
Biosecurity Guidance:
- Biosecurity - Good working practice for those involved in forestry - Forestry Commission Leaflet
- A DAFM Leaflet entitled 'Forest Health Biosecurity Kit' is available from the Forest Health section of the Forest Service Website.
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