Ash die back commonly know as Chalara or as it as now correctly referred to as Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been confirmed in 24 of the 26 counties in Ireland. This disease causes leaf loss, crown dieback and will eventually lead to the death of most Ash trees either directly or indirectly via infection of other pest or diseases such as Armillaria fungus.
The Irish Forest Service are actively monitor the disease in Ireland and in commercial forestry plantations there are grants to remove infected Ash. But for the private gardener the option of removing a beloved Ash tree may be a last resort.
Ironically the very trees that are infected can be turned into biochar which can be then used as a preventative measure by air spreading around the roots of the trees.
Recent findings by Bartlett tree expert Dr Glynn Percival have shown that trees treated with enriched biochar did not get the disease whilst not treated treed did.
Dr Glynn Percival, head plant physiologist at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, said: "While we cannot claim this to be a cure for ash dieback, we are clear that it has a beneficial impact.
"We will need to run further trials to be clear on its qualities to prevent the disease taking hold, but this is an important discovery and we believe using enriched biochar could help improve the survival prospects for the UK's ash trees."
See more art the link below.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/12167224/New-hope-for-tackling-ash-dieback-as-researchers-claim-charcoal-treatment-makes-trees-more-resilient.html
The Irish Forest Service are actively monitor the disease in Ireland and in commercial forestry plantations there are grants to remove infected Ash. But for the private gardener the option of removing a beloved Ash tree may be a last resort.
Ironically the very trees that are infected can be turned into biochar which can be then used as a preventative measure by air spreading around the roots of the trees.
Recent findings by Bartlett tree expert Dr Glynn Percival have shown that trees treated with enriched biochar did not get the disease whilst not treated treed did.
Dr Glynn Percival, head plant physiologist at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, said: "While we cannot claim this to be a cure for ash dieback, we are clear that it has a beneficial impact.
"We will need to run further trials to be clear on its qualities to prevent the disease taking hold, but this is an important discovery and we believe using enriched biochar could help improve the survival prospects for the UK's ash trees."
See more art the link below.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/12167224/New-hope-for-tackling-ash-dieback-as-researchers-claim-charcoal-treatment-makes-trees-more-resilient.html
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