Ash Disease Found across the UK and N.Ireland

For some time now the Chalara ash dieback disease, caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea, was found in imported ash saplings in counties Down and Antrim, as well as throughout the United Kingdom and the South of Ireland.

Northern Exposure Bush-craft in Northern Ireland is urging all bush-crafters to check with there local forestry commission and with your local department for the environment, before wild camping.
Observe any restrictions put in place by your forestry commission. There are still plenty of places to wild camp, but care must be taken not to carry any foreign debris from site to site, or take plant material, such as you would collect for tinder etc from infected areas, washing footwear and gear will help limit the spread of infection, as will sticking to more familiar routes. If you are able to identify the disease found among ash trees, inform your local authority of its whereabouts, do not travel to virgin areas of woodland without disinfecting your footwear and kit to prevent further spread.

National Trust land at Runkerry on the north coast is one area affected, and is best avoided until the disease is brought under control. Samples sent for laboratory analysis revealed the disease.

Symptoms to look for can include brown leaves, lesions, fungi and darkened wood.Continue reading the main story“Start QuoteMichelle O'Neill (Agriculture Minister) has said that ”We must remain vigilant as this disease still poses a very serious threat”

Notices have been served on the owners of the plantations requiring affected plants to be destroyed.
The Department of Agriculture and and Rural Development said it was also looking into a number of other sites planted with imported ash for signs of infection.

Michelle continued by saying, 'immediate steps were being taken to remove the plants and prevent the disease'. furthermore,"The saplings and debris will be destroyed by burning and this work has already commenced. We have alerted our colleagues in the south and are continuing to work closely with them," she said. "Legislation was introduced north and south last month banning the import and movement of ash plants for planting from infected areas. "However, we must remain vigilant as this disease still poses a very serious threat."

Please be aware and sensible about this.
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