Tackling ash dieback in Dovedale

How does ash dieback affect the trees in the White Peak?

Ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus; it is also commonly known as ‘Chalara’ after an old scientific name.

The fungal disease originated in Asia and more than likely arrived in mainland Europe and now the UK thanks to the movement of plants as part of global trade. The fungus spreads quickly as its spores are windborne, then begins to affect the trees from the top down – initially corroding the most recent growth on the outside of the crown, and slowly affecting the whole tree. Individual trees vary in their resistance and can take from 1-30 years to perish after being infected.

How will this affect Dovedale?

The woods in Dovedale are made up of around 80% ash trees and the current estimate is that 6 out of 7 ash trees will die as a result of ash dieback.  The disease weakens the tree's structure making them extremely prone to uprooting and therefore unsafe to be around.  Visitors can identify trees affected by ash dieback that are due to be felled this year by looking for the red dots on selected trees near the riverside path.”

Our response to tackling ash dieback

As part of their Tree Safety Work, our rangers in the White Peak have carefully assessed the areas where infected ash trees will cause a high health and safety risk to people or property and will therefore need to fell the infected trees to remove the risk and to also give our other native trees in the area the best chance of reproducing naturally.

Our ranger team are currently 2 years in to their 5 year Woodland Conservation Project that has the aims to help our woodlands to be better equipped to face climate change and diseases like ash dieback. With our woodlands in the White Peak currently being dominated by ash this makes them vulnerable to diseases like ash dieback. Despite what will be a tragic loss of trees, our team will be seizing the opportunity to increase the diversity of tree species in the areas hit hardest by ash dieback, by planting native tree species and allowing areas with other species already present to set seed themselves. Through this project visitors will also see new views of Dovedale including some of the spectacular once hidden rock formations and will also open up new spaces for flora to grow, which in turn creates new habitats for nature to live in.

*Update*

Taddington Wood, located adjacent to the A6, is a woodland dominated by ash trees. Ash dieback is developing in woodlands across the White Peak and many of the ash trees along Taddington roadside are showing signs of disease. As trees reach the advanced stages of the disease they pose a safety risk due to the increased amount of deadwood in the canopy and the instability of infected trees.

To manage the risk posed by ash dieback, National Trust and Chatsworth Estate (who own the woodland on the opposite side of the A6) will be felling ash trees along a 20-30 metre stretch of the A6. All ash trees within 20 metres of the road will be felled. 

To minimise impact to road users a section of the A6, adjacent to Taddington Wood, will be closed for 5 nights, from 11th – 15th November 2019. All trees that are not ash will be left to allow for natural regeneration and the area will be replanted with a variety of native species over the following three winters.

The work has the potential to improve the woodland habitat by creating areas of scrub and open space while the woodland regenerates. The planting will also improve the diversity of species in Taddington Wood, making it more resilient to any ecological threats that may occur in the future.

Creating some open areas in our woods is also simply good woodland management, mimicking natural conditions and benefiting the many woodland species that need light, open areas in order to thrive – such as birds like spotted flycatchers, wood warblers and willow tits that flit amongst the tree canopy. We’ll also improve the woodland infrastructure with new boundary fences in some places to keep livestock out, and nest boxes for dormice and endangered birds like willow and marsh tit.

How can you help our woodlands?

Our Peak District Appeal is one that is close to our hearts and the people that live in and visit the Peak District. We are very fortunate to have access to such beautiful and dynamic landscapes like the Peak District and in 2019 we have taken a closer look into the people that fought for that access with the People’s Landscapes Project. We are humbled by the great efforts and sacrifices that people undertook, so that they could enjoy fresh air and walk freely through the countryside, we must now honor their past efforts by remembering that we are all responsible in looking after the places that we love. In order to best prepare our woodlands to face the challenges of climate change and diseases like ash dieback, we rely on the support of the people that are passionate about visiting the Peak District to help us look after these special places.

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of supporters to look after the outdoor spaces in our care. Not only do our supporters help to conserve beautiful landscapes and protect precious plants and wildlife but they also ensure that future generations have places they can find freedom from everyday life, reconnect with the natural world and make memories to treasure. Your donation will go towards projects like tackling ash dieback and other vital conservation work in the great outdoors of the Peak District. With your support, we can continue to protect the irreplaceable, forever, for everyone.