You may remember Dutch Elm Disease…… Ash Dieback will be ten times worse.
Many churchyards have old ash trees and probably lots of ash regeneration. Many Dioceses leave it up to individual churches on whether to use herbicides etc. The result in Devon, for example, is not satisfactory.
The Tree Council has just launched its Ash Dieback Action Plan Toolkit (pdf). It’s a four-point plan to help local authorities tackle the impact of the disease. The Toolkit was developed with the input of many local authorities and other agencies.
Please circulate this toolkit among your churches. Action is needed NOW.
David Curry
Diocese of Exeter
