Carrickfergus Borough Council has temporarily closed
Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood to aid the efficient removal of the
infected ash trees.The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) advised
the Council earlier this month that two of its parks have been affected
by the fungus disease Chalara fraxinea, which is commonly referred to as
Ash Dieback. The two sites are Diamond Jubilee Wood in Whitehead and
Bashfordsland Wood in Carrickfergus. Bashfordsland Wood remains open. Carrickfergus
Borough Council is taking every precaution to limit the spread of the
disease in conjunction with both the Forest Service and DARD. Ash
Dieback is a serious disease which causes leaf loss and crown dieback in
affected trees, which can lead to tree death. Ash trees suffering with
the infection have been found widely across Europe.
The wood will
remain closed while the Contractor carries out the removal of the
infected ash trees. We would like to apologise to those who use the
park, although it is hoped that the wood will reopen on Friday subject to DARD approval. We would ask members of the public
to help us to prevent the further spread of Ash Dieback by taking a
number of precautionary measures when visiting the Whitehead Diamond
Jubilee Wood or Bashfordsland Wood:
- Keep to obvious paths and keep dogs on a leash
- Watch out for information notices
- Do not take plants or cuttings from our parks
- Avoid dumping garden waste in the countryside
- Familiarise yourselves with common plant pests and diseases
Carrickfergus
Borough Council has put together advice and guidance for residents as
to what to look for, who to contact and where to go for information
about Ash Dieback. Visit our website:
www.carrickfergus.org/ashdieback
