Honiton: Ash dieback continues to threaten East Devon's ancient woodlands

In Combe Wood near Honiton and in other woods in East Devon trees are at risk of being decimated by ash dieback.

In the last two years National Trust rangers have observed worryingly high rates of tree health decline in ash within Combe Wood through their annual ash dieback surveys.

Rob Skinner, the National Trust's Lead Ranger for the East Devon Countryside, told Nub News: "I would say that we are certainly seeing an significant increase in the rate of decline within our ash woodlands and as a result, this year we are taking more action to make sure our woodlands are safe, removing trees where there are roads, homes or rights of way."

However, the organisation is trying to avoid clear-fell as much as possible, due to the large amount wildlife that depend on ash trees.

Ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. It was first identified in Asia, but it spread quickly to Europe via the global plant trade. The fungus spreads quickly because its spores are windborne. It leads to leaf loss, bark lesions and dieback in the crown of the tree. Eventually the tree dies.

Ash dieback is being driven by climate change and the subsequent changes in our weather patterns. Mild and wet winters are the ideal conditions for the disease to spread among trees, and it can be exacerbated by trees being stressed due to drought, flooding or high temperatures.

There are concerns that ash dieback could have a devastating impact on wildlife and biodiversity in Devon and across the UK by destroying huge swathes of woodland, hedgerows and all the habitats they support.

The National Trust states that up to 30,000 ash trees will be felled this year alone.

According to Devon Wildlife Trust, there are 1.9 million ash trees in Devon, and ash dieback is expected to kill at upwards of 90% of them in the coming years.

Rob added: "Ash dieback is now found throughout Devon. We are finding more of it in high density woodland contexts."

There are pockets of ash dieback in Coombe Wood, Peak Hill, Branscombe and the coastal strips, and Dumpdon Hill Fort.