The problem of Ash Dieback
In this blog, James Morrison, Senior Asset Engineer, at Network Rail Scotland outlines the problem of Ash Dieback and what action is being undertaken to combat it.
Ash dieback is a destructive disease that affects ash trees, the third most common tree in Britain and an important tree within the Scottish landscape. First discovered in the UK in 2012, ash dieback is now established and widespread across the UK.
It is expected that 50 to 75 percent of Scotland’s 11 million mature ash trees may die over the next two decades.
This is going to have a devastating impact on the landscape and the biodiversity of our woodlands, as well as a major loss in connections between habitats for wildlife as we lose hedgerow diversity and individual trees outside of woods.
As they decline, ash trees will need to be managed to address health, safety and operational risks. It is estimated that on or beside Scotland’s railway, we could have up to 90,000 large ash trees within falling distance of a ‘target’.
The predicted cost of managing the diseased trees is high. There are many costs associated with managing and removing trees.
For any landowner it is a very large and complex challenge.
Network Rail intends to allow for retention or regeneration of any potentially disease-resistant trees wherever possible so that the benefits they bring are sustained for the future.
It is following the NR Ash Die Back Tool Kit developed in conjunction with The Tree Council to inform its strategy. A specialist foot survey of all Network Rail tree stock, which includes risk scoring and data gathering, is underway and is scheduled to complete by end of 2024.
This survey is enhanced by in-house visual on foot inspections, stakeholder contacts, train cab video and our own helicopter. We are holding summer ash ID events to get as many colleagues as possible confident to proactively spot and report potential risks.
An aerial hyperspectral survey of tree condition both on Network Rail and third-party land started this summer. Network Rail is also a member of the Scottish Government’s Ash Dieback Resilience Group.
While Network Rail can quickly act to remove trees on its own land, we are asking lineside neighbours to help by regularly checking their trees for defects or signs of disease to protect the safety of the railway.
We also encourage lineside neighbours to contact us before undertaking work to manage trees on land close to the railway. Please contact our Asset Protection department: assetprotectionscotland@networkrail.co.uk or call (Monday to Friday during normal working hours only): 0141 555 4087.
If there is an urgent need to contact us out with these hours, please call our National Help Line on 03457 11 41 41.
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