Ash trees in Winchester could be gone by 2030, says report

The city's tree strategy stated that, across the UK, 95 per cent of ash trees would be gone as a result of ash dieback (ADB).

The strategy was presented to Winchester Town Forum on November 9, with tree works carried out more frequently in recent months. 

Trees on The Broadway and St George's Street are just some that have been given the chop.

Winchester City Council currently owns and manages around 32,000 trees across the district. About 1,200 of these are ash.

The report said: “The disease can infect ash trees of all ages and once an ash tree is infected, the disease restricts the flow of water and nutrients, leading to the trees rapid decline and potential death. 

“ADB is now widespread across the UK and current estimates suggest that it could lead to the loss of 95 per cent of all ash trees by 2030. This disease will have a dramatic effect on the landscape within the Winchester district as it is predicted that the effects of ADB on the local landscape will be greater than Dutch elm disease. 

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“However, it is not possible to predict the landscape or ecological impacts of the loss of ash trees at this time.

“ADB is spread through the movement of diseased ash plants and logs/unsawn wood from infected trees. A ban was applied on all movement of ash trees and seeds in October 2012, however prior to that there were high volumes of ash imported to the UK every year.”

Cllr Kelsie Learney said: “Additional funding is needed to look after our trees. They have huge health and wellbeing benefits. It takes decades for tree to become carbon positive.”

Cllr John Tippett-Cooper said: “People are very passionate about trees in this district and rightly so. They have an absolutely key role to play in tackling the climate emergency.”

The town forum approved £21,864 for this year and an additional £11,864 for next year for tree works across the city.