26 November 2012
A single occurrence of the ash dieback fungus disease has been found in Jersey.
The infected tree was identified following ash tree inspections, and along with other trees in the same planting, is being removed and destroyed. The trees were imported from the UK in 2010/11 and the Department of the Environment is continuing its work to identify other possibly infected trees that may have come into the Island.
The Head of Plant Health at Jersey’s Department of the Environment, Scott Meadows, said “It is not known if the trees were infected before arrival or if they became infected after being planted – surveys to date have not discovered ash dieback disease in established wild Jersey ash trees so the former seems most likely. By isolating and destroying these trees and the surrounding leaf litter, we may be able to contain the disease.”
Mr Meadows added that a management plan is in place and his team are continuing to work with tree organisations, nurseries and growers in Jersey to detect possibly infected trees. The long term impact on ash trees in Jersey is unclear and research on the disease is ongoing.
Members of the public are being asked to remain vigilant and report any possible symptoms of ash dieback to the department.
Download ash dieback disease symptom guide (size 268kb)
gov.je