Hundreds of Ash trees in Milton Keynes at risk of dying and collapsing

The Trust, which manages the city's 6,000 acres of parks, lakes and landscapes, is currently facing "serious challenges" from an outbreak of the fungal disease.

The condition renders trees likely to collapse and many in MK are now having to be chopped down before they pose a safety risk to the public.

Ash Die Back has already swept across Northern Europe and other parts of the UK. But it is now present across Milton Keynes in the mature woodlands and the city’s younger tree plantations, experts have confirmed.

In one area, Linford wood, 65 per cent of trees are affected.

There is no cure or viable treatment to combat the disease. Some trees will be tolerant, but based on evidence from Europe only one or two per cent of trees are proven to have this tolerance.

As the disease takes hold it starts to kill the trees. They quickly become unstable, are prone to collapse and can shatter in their brittle state.

The Parks Trust is now having to take action to start removing some of the trees before the disease fully takes hold.

They have identified priority sites f where trees have the potential to cause serious health and safety issues, as these trees are often located close to roads, paths and property.

Rob Riekie, Operations Director for The Parks Trust said; “We have followed advice from the Forestry Commission and Tree Council to help us develop our plans for managing Ash Die Back. This is a devastating disease for Ash trees, and we are putting a number of plans in place to help manage it”.

The Parks Trust is this week removing Ash trees in affected areas across the city, including along the Queen Eleanor Street in the Stony Stratford/Galley Hill area).

They will try to protect any healthy Ash trees as well as replacing some of the trees that have been removed with alternative species during the winter months.

The Parks Trust believe that alternative species such as Lime, Hornbeam, Holm Oak, Yew and Field Maple have a long-term future in Milton Keynes.

The work will be carried out by The Parks Trust’s landscaping team and strict working practices and safe environments, allowing social distancing, are being created to allow them to do so.

The Trust will continue to monitor the spread of the disease and follow advice from the National Forestry Authority in helping to

further develop their plans to effectively manage this disease.