People are being urged not to bring elm logs into the city in effort to halt a deadly disease.

Elm disease has been discovered in the Prestonville area of Brighton, meaning the city’s historic collection of trees is at risk of dying.

When poisoned elm trees are chopped into logs, sold for wood and transported to different areas, the elm beetles carrying the disease then leave the log and find healthy elm trees to infect.

Now, Brighton and Hove City Council is asking people to stop bring elm logs into the area.

“We’re proud of our world-renowned collection of trees in the city and we have a duty to protect them,” said Tim Rowkins, chairman of the city environment, South Downs and sea committee.

The Argus: An elm tree at Old SteineAn elm tree at Old Steine (Image: The Argus)

“This year we have begun rolling out an inoculation programme for our elms to help reduce the spread of disease in the future.

“We ask residents to only buy wood for log burners and stoves if they know it is not elm wood.”

People with elm wood are asked to contact the city council to arrange for it to be removed.

There have been fears that many people cannot identify elm wood and may lose out on money if it is taken away by the authorities – but an elm specialist has been quick to calm concerns.

The Argus: Peter Bourne has addressed concernsPeter Bourne has addressed concerns (Image: The Argus)

“We want to keep the logs out of Brighton but if the public don’t know they got them, then they can’t stop it,” said Plant Heritage’s Peter Bourne, who curates the city’s elm collection.

“Anyone with logs they suspect to be elm can contact the city council’s arboriculture team who will inspect the wood and dispose of it if necessary.

“The team will replace elm logs with different ones.”

READ MORE: Brighton and Hove Council to inoculate trees against elm disease

Several trees across the city are currently infected with elm disease.

They includes an elm in Grand Parade, two mature elms at Old Steine and a very mature pollarding elm at the edge of The Level.

A total of 29 elm trees are infected with elm disease in Coldean, just off Coldean Lane between Park Road and Hawkhurst Road. They are in nine different locations across the area.

All infected trees are to be removed.