Ash Dieback

Ash dieback damages the structural integrity of a tree; the disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees and can lead to the death of the tree. These diseased trees have an increased risk of collapsing which can be dangerous, especially if they fall on a road.                                                                                       

Our crews are carrying out essential work around the county to remove unsafe trees that are infected with ash dieback.

It is estimated Gloucestershire Highways has between 27,000 to 32,000 ash trees, which will require attention over the coming years.

In line with Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership (GLNP), Ash Dieback Position Statement. A set amount of vegetation including wood and chippings, are left on site for habitat and biodiversity reasons, to aid natural regeneration opportunities for replacement tree cover.

The Ash Dieback team have undertaken extensive surveys, and can report seeing promising evidence of natural regeneration upon numerous sites. GCC Highways will continue to encourage natural regeneration from the natural seed bank present in the soil, especially where infected ash trees have been removed in large numbers.

Within the capacity of the Ash Dieback Project, the team will identify areas suitable for replanting on Gloucestershire Highways land. We encourage the planting of native broadleaf species, planting whips when they’re dormant and so less likely to get damaged. The planting season runs between November and March.

The local parish councils are encouraged to work with the ash dieback team to identify other land suitable for replanting, and consider requests for donation of whips to support local community replanting / ecology projects.

In addition to the ash dieback project, a wide scale tree planting programme is being developed as part of the county council’s climate change strategy. The Million Trees Challenge is our aspiration for one million trees to be planted across the county by 2030, working with members of the Local Nature Partnership.

Ash Dieback can affect ash trees of all ages. Younger trees succumb to the disease quicker but in general, all affected trees will have these symptoms:       

• Leaves develop dark patches in the summer.
• They then wilt and discolour to black. Leaves might shed early.
• Dieback of the shoots and leaves is visible in the summer.
• Lesions develop where branches meet the trunk. These are often diamond-shaped and dark brown.
• Inner bark looks brownish-grey under the lesions.
• New growth from previously dormant buds further down the trunk. This is known as epicormics growth and is common response to stress in trees.
• Further information is available here. 

Trees which form part of the original boundary features are maintainable by the adjacent landowner as the accepted assumption is that boundary features are constructed/grown in order to separate the adjoining land from the highway, it is further considered that the boundary feature itself is also not part of the highway, i.e. the highway extends up to, but does not include, the boundary feature.

In these instances, then unfortunately the maintenance/felling of these ash trees is to be met by the land owner as these will be considered as belonging to them.

I have received a letter about ash tree(s) on my property, what should I do?       

Contact your local independent ARB approved contractor, to assess the tree(s) and arrange for works to be carried out as stipulated in your letter.

Which trees do I need to act on?   

Our tree safety officers, will identify infected ash trees, which are a cause for concern and within falling distance of the highway. Photographs will be taken as evidence and included in letter(s) sent to private landowners along with a location plan. Where it is safe to do so the tree(s) or highway will be marked in red paint to identify the area of concern.                                                     

We would encourage land owners with trees adjacent the highway to carry out visual inspections of their trees, on a regular basis.  

Levels of Infection

Choosing your Tree Surgeon                                                                                              

• The Arboricultural Association, ARB Approved Contractor Directory
• Choosing your tree surgeon leaflet

Street works licence for traffic management  

Street works team should be informed of any works being carried out on the public highway, and should know who is carrying out the works, the duration of the works, and the type of traffic management is being used.

Further information is available here. 

Tree Preservation Order/Conservation Area

If the trees are protected by a tree preservation order or if they grow in a conservation area you must submit an “Application for tree works’  to the local planning authority via www.planningportal.co.uk/applications for consent to undertake work.

You can carry out works without the need for TPO permission/conservation area notice if they are urgently necessary to remove an immediate risk of serious harm, or to such other extent as agreed in writing by the district council. If doing this. you should only carry out the minimum works necessary to remove the immediate risk.

If you do carry out works under one of these exceptions then you must, by law, give notice in writing to the planning authority as soon as practicable after the works become necessary.

In most cases of trees with confirmed ash dieback, permission for felling the whole tree is not likely to be withheld by the district council.

We understand that road closures might cause some disruptions to you and may interrupt your regular journeys, however it is necessary in order for to carry out the tree works safely.

Local signs will display the latest update on upcoming road closures.

Will we be able to drive back and forth from our property while the road is closed?                           

As the works involves felling of trees and large equipment, we will be unable to allow traffic through the Road Closure. If you normally drive into or out of the Road Closure during the hours when the closure is in place, we ask you to please make alternative arrangements.        

In exceptional circumstances, some level of access may be considered on a case by case basis but only where it does not impact our ability to undertake the necessary works and where it is safe to do so. Please see the FAQ leaflet for further details.

Where am I expected to park while the road is closed?                                           

I have a business, how will the affect me?

We appreciate that any road closure could have an impact on business operations, however to deliver the works as quickly and efficiently as possible, we kindly ask you to work with us. To help us to complete the works with the least disruption to you, we ask you to:

• Reschedule your deliveries to outside of our working hours
• Where possible, please consider if staff can park elsewhere during our operation hours or share a lift to work to limit the number of vehicles needing access. Access to vehicles will only be considered on a case by case basis but only where it does not impact our ability to undertake the necessary works and where it is safe to do so.
• Let your customers know that you will be open, and that they can still access on foot.

Gloucestershire County Council, are working in joint partnership with the adjoining landowner National Trust, in order to remove unsafe trees infected with Ash Dieback.

The works will be undertaken across 20 different sites, during the course of 2021.

Please see frequently asked questions link on this page.

Alternatively call our helpline on 0800 0514514 if you cannot find what you’re looking for.

• Preventing the spread of ash dieback - GCC press release September 2020 
• Replanting two trees for every diseased tree felled - GCC press release February 2021
• County council’s two for one tree replanting set to smash target - GCC press release November 2021