Experts see serious threat of disease hitting ash trees
Arising from the study, European Parliament member Sean Kelly has expressed fresh concerns for Irish as well as European ash trees.
He said that around 115 cases of ash dieback were recorded across 19 counties in Ireland by January 2016, according to Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine findings.
“A new study by tree ecologists at Keele University in the UK, published in the Journal of Ecology, has warned that ash dieback and the emerald ash borer could wipe out all European ash trees.
“The emerald borer beetle is now in Sweden and the experts are concerned that it could spread right across Europe.
“They argue that the beetle is an even bigger threat than ash dieback to European ash trees,” said the Ireland South MEP.
Meanwhile, Mr Kelly said that Ash Dieback spores can be transported by the breeze as far as ten miles in distance and can survive on woodland ground for up to five years.
However, some ash trees are more resistant to the fungus. Research is ongoing in Britain to determine which trees would be better for future planting and more resistant to the fungus, which could be useful.
Mr Kelly previously commended the work of Cork based Treemetrics, which has the capability to use satellite imagery to identify where ash dieback is happening in Ireland and where it is likely to occur which would help those trying to eradicate it.
The former GAA president says that ash dieback poses a particular threat to the traditional hurley, which is made from ash wood, because an outbreak of the fungus can spread rapidly and destroy the trees quickly.
Experts are testing trees to see why some are more resistant to it than others.
