A survey of trees in Cross Flatts Park has revealed that up to twenty mature ash trees will have to be cut down in the coming months. A further forty will have to be cut back.
The trees are suffering from a highly destructive fungal disease called ‘ash dieback‘, which is becoming prevelent in Britain. It is the most significant tree disease to affect the UK since Dutch elm disease took hold in the 1960s and 1970s. Dying and infected ash trees are more likely to shed limbs, lean and collapse.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said:
“We are proud of the work we do to care for the trees and woodland that help make our many local parks such wonderful places to visit and spend time.
“As part of this work, regular surveys are carried out to check on the health of our tree population and pinpoint any potential issues.
“One such survey in Cross Flatts Park has identified a number of trees that are in declining condition due to a fungal disease called ash dieback.
“At this stage, we believe that around 20 of the affected ash trees will need to be felled, with a further 40 or so requiring remedial pruning work.
“A start date for the felling has yet to be confirmed, but we will keep local ward members and the Friends of Cross Flatts Park fully informed regarding the progress of our plans.”
Alderwoman Angela Gabriel, Chair of Friends of Cross Flatts Park told South Leeds Life:
“I’m devastated that ash dieback has reached Leeds and we will lose so many mature trees from our park. This will change the face of the park, removing much of the shade. These are big trees, many of them planted when the park was created over a hundred years ago. It’s a real shame because I’m a tree hugger, but we’ll have to look at what we can plant in their place. On a positive note we are investigating turning one of the trunks into a sculpture.”
Photo: two of the affected ash trees in Cross Flatts Park
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How can an infected culled tree be converted into a sculpture? Surely it should be burnt to avoid spread of the disease?
Are new young trees going to be planted to replace the ones that will be removed even if planted in a different location in the park ?