Ash Die-back is a devastating disease affecting millions of Ash trees across the UK. The disease is caused by the fungus, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus which was first recorded in the UK in 2012 having arrived on our shores from Europe. It is now widely spread to most parts of the country. It is estimated that we will lose the vast majority of our native Ash tree population.
Geo Tree offers hope to our Ash trees. Soil inoculation with enriched biochar has been shown to have a beneficial impact on this disease.
In 2016 the results of a field trial conducted at a Woodland Trust site in Essex were revealed. The study was carried out over a 3 year period on 2000 established Ash trees. Dr Glynn Percival from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory conducted the trial in which the soil around Ash trees was treated with enriched biochar. The results were dramatic – none of the treated trees became infected with the Ash Die-back fungus whilst most other trees in the control group were widely infected.
As Dr Percival says ‘While we cannot claim this to be a cure for Ash Die-back, we are clear that it has a beneficial impact’.
If you have Ash trees and would like to know more about how we can help to protect them, please get in touch.