Ashes to Ashes

Recommend listening to the Radio 4 documentary 'Ashes to Ashes'. A year on from the discovery of the fungus Adam Hart investigates how quickly Ash dieback has spread across the country. Scientists are now sequencing the genomes of Ash and Chalara fraxinea - the fungus that is causing Ash dieback - in an effort to find why some trees are not dying from the disease. He also learns of another threat to our Ash trees - the emerald ash borer - which is currently found west of Moscow and is heading towards us. He discovers this pest has already infested Ash in North America and has left a trail of destruction behind it. Link to BBC Listen Again iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bg4vh

Ash Dieback at Diamond Jubilee Wood

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