A company in Malvern has raised hundreds of pounds to support the response to a deadly tree disease.
Francis of Malvern held a fun day at their store in Malvern Link on Monday 26th August. Customers were encouraged to take part in a competition and raffle raising £377.00 for the Malvern Hills Trust’s ash dieback fund.
Ash dieback, which was first identified in the UK in 2012, has spread across the country and causes the wilting of leaves, shoots to die back and often the death of ash trees. An infection from this fungus is estimated to result in the death of the ash tree in 80 per cent of cases.
Infected trees can be found across the Trust’s estate and tree management works are undertaken each winter for safety which comes at a considerable cost for the charity.
Beck Baker, Community and Conservation Officer said: “We’re extremely grateful to Francis of Malvern and all their customers who raised money to support our response to ash dieback disease.
“Ash trees form an important part of our woodlands around the Hills and Commons which are home fantastic wildlife including rare bat species. Large mature ash trees also stand proudly in the landscape and it is devastating to see them succumb to the disease.”
Infected ash trees can become brittle and are likely to fail, so the removal of severely infected trees near to highways and properties is essential for public safety. It is believed that a small percentage of ash trees may be tolerant to the disease and ash trees on the Trust’s estate showing little or no signs of disease will be left and monitored.
In some areas, woodlands will be left to regenerate and in other locations, new tree planting will fill gaps created by the removal of infected ash trees.
Beck added “Thank you to all those who have supported our response to ash dieback disease. The Trust is facing a significant ongoing cost in dealing with additional tree safety works resulting from ash dieback disease. You can support the Trust’s response to the devastating impacts of ash dieback disease via Just Giving“
