Last year, our Monitoring and Research Team began a programme of woodland monitoring to keep an eye on the spread of ash dieback. Repeating these surveys every year will help track the disease and guide future management. Although our Reserves Teams know our sites well, the surveys have already provided vital information to help us understand the extent of the problem even better.

The three sites we’ve looked at so far are the central part of Brampton Wood and Waresley and Gransden Woods in Cambridgeshire, and Short Wood in Northamptonshire.  Within the sampled areas, ash accounts for a significant proportion of the tree canopy from 13% at Short Wood, to 42% at Brampton Wood, and 65% at Waresley and Gransden Woods. Of the ash trees we recorded, there were obvious signs of ash dieback in 28% at Brampton, 47% at Short Wood, and 84% at Waresley and Gransden, so the impact the disease will have on these woodlands is clear.  

Work to fell and thin trees has already taken place at a number of our reserves.

Tackling ash dieback doesn’t have to be devastating as it creates new opportunities for wildlife to flourish in our woods. While new trees and plants are naturally regenerating, the opened up areas will provide wildlife-rich woodland glades and rides. Butterflies, birds, fungi and woodland flowers will all thrive here.  We will also leave plenty of dead wood to form a vital part of the woodland ecosystem. In time our woods will find a new and healthy balance.

Additionally, around 5% of ash trees may be resistant, so, if left to reproduce, could pave the way to a new generation of ash dieback resistant trees.

Any donation will make a difference to our ability to tackle the effects of ash dieback and ensure our precious woodlands remain healthy. Thank you.