Almost 1,000 Ash trees ‘could be unsafe to public’ due to Ash die-back disease

Nearly a thousand ash trees across Ribble Valley could be unsafe due to ash die-back disease, with the council warning many may need to be cut down.

Ribble Valley Council estimates the work could cost up to £100,000 over the next three years.

Hundreds of trees have already been felled at popular sites near Clitheroe and Whalley, with councillors now being asked to back further funding.

The report explains: “Ash die-back is on course to have a more devastating impact in the UK than Dutch Elm Disease, which resulted in the felling of millions of Elm trees. Ash die-back is a similar fungal disease which first arrived in the UK probably in the 2000s.

“Despite warnings from some organisations about potential devastation, little was done initially. This was partly down to a lack of research data, which led to overly optimistic predictions about the disease and impact on councils.

“The Ribble Valley has not escaped. Ash die-back now manifests itself on several council-managed sites. This includes many high-risk areas such as paths, play areas and property, where there is the threat of dead or dangerous trees falling on the public.”