Ash Dieback

Ash dieback is a fungal disease that primarily affects ash trees. It’s caused by a fungus that infects the tree’s leaves and spreads to the branches and trunk, blocking the water transport system within the tree and leading to leaf loss and lesions on the bark.

Ash dieback disease can be spread through wind-borne spores, affecting several trees in close proximity with one another. Longer distances of spread can be caused by the movement of disease plants as well as logs from infected trees being moved.

Although it’s unlikely to affect other plants outside of ash trees. However, it has been seen on some ornamental trees in the same family, such as mock privet and white fringetree - if you have these in your garden, it’s worth double checking them just in case.

There are several signs of ash dieback to be mindful of when it comes to your trees:

• Blackened and wilting leaves
• Premature leaf loss (often from June onwards)
• Dead leaves on branches among healthy ones
• Diamond shaped lesions on the trunk 
• On mature trees, discolouration and cracking can occur at the base of the trunk
• Epicormic growth - as ash dieback progresses, ash trees can respond by producing new shoots and leaves further down the trunk, giving it a pom-pom appearance
• Progressive crown dieback, where the upper branches thin out and die back year by year
• Dark patches or lesions where branches join the main stem, indicating deeper infection
• Brittle branches that snap easily due to internal decay caused by the fungus

If you notice ash dieback disease affecting your trees, get in touch with Quill Hall today. Our tree surgeons in Amersham and Oxfordshire are on hand to tackle trees with ash dieback across areas including High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Marlow, Gerrards Cross and beyond.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for ash dieback. Our tree surgeons prioritise management and safety as a long-term strategy, focusing on making sure ash dieback doesn’t spread to healthy ash trees. This includes assessing the level of crown dieback, monitoring for structural weakness, and identifying trees that may still demonstrate some degree of natural resistance.

If trees are significantly affected by ash dieback and at risk of falling on property or on public footpaths, they should be removed immediately to prevent any further danger. In such cases, we carry out safe, controlled dismantling to avoid harm to people, structures or surrounding vegetation. We also provide guidance on disposing of infected plant material to prevent further local spread.

However, not all trees affected by ash dieback will have to be removed – some ash trees may have natural resistance, and so can simply be monitored and preserved. These trees may continue to offer valuable habitat and ecological benefits, and our team can create an ongoing monitoring plan to track their condition over time.

Domestic Ash Dieback Services

For homeowners and private landowners, we provide a comprehensive ash dieback service designed to ensure both safety and long-term tree health. Our team carries out detailed inspections of individual trees or entire gardens, assessing the extent of infection and the risk posed to homes, driveways, neighbouring properties and public footpaths. 

Where trees have become unstable, we can remove them safely to prevent further danger, while those displaying potential natural resistance can be carefully pruned, monitored and preserved. We also advise domestic clients on the best way to manage infected leaf litter and other plant material to minimise local spread, and we can produce reports for insurance claims, property sales and mortgage surveys. 

Our approach prioritises the protection of your property while retaining healthy or partially resistant trees wherever possible.

Commercial Ash Dieback Services

Quill Hall provides specialist ash dieback management for commercial clients, landowners and public-sector organisations responsible for larger or higher-risk sites. Whether working with local authorities, schools, business parks, agricultural estates or housing developments, we deliver large-scale surveys and mapping to identify affected or high-risk ash trees across extensive areas. 

Our arborists carry out risk assessments, create phased management plans and undertake emergency removals where trees threaten public roads, pathways, car parks or buildings. We use advanced equipment and industry-approved techniques to dismantle mature or structurally compromised ash trees safely, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding environment. 

In addition, we coordinate with local councils and forestry bodies, handle timber and waste responsibly and supply all necessary documentation, including RAMS, insurance details and safety reports. Our commercial service offers a professional, compliant and efficient solution for managing ash dieback on any scale.