Brighton: More than 850 trees felled in fight against elm disease

Brighton and Hove City Council has been trying to protect its 17,000-strong collection of elm collection including the largest and oldest surviving English Elm in Europe.

But it has now written to the government stating that the situation has “deteriorated” and the transmission of the disease has increased.

Previous losses included one of the historic 400-year-old Preston Park twin elms in the city.

An elm tree in Queen's Park, Brighton, which was inspected for elm disease

Councillor Tim Rowkins, chairman of the city environment, South Downs and the sea committee, said: “As custodians of these trees, we have been fighting elm disease for many years. Sadly, the situation has deteriorated, and transmission of the disease has increased. 

“Our arboriculture team, while skilled and dedicated, is limited, and is already having to make difficult choices about what they prioritise.

“Each summer we deal with more than 300 individual sites including streets, parks, woodlands, cemeteries and private landholdings, all requiring very significant resources and funding.

“We are still working on felling infected elm trees identified this year, and will continue well into the winter.”

MOST READ:

• Police called after boy punched and slapped at school

• Teen stabbed to death on his way to station ‘tried to run but collapsed’

• Single mum being evicted later today 'is at breaking point'

One of the Preston Park twin Elms that was destined for the incinerator was unveiled as a sculpture by artist Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva.

Cllr Rowkins appealed for emergency assistance to help the council fight the spread of the disease and protect its trees and has asked for a meeting with Defra to discuss the scale of the problem and explore possible solutions.

Elm disease is spread by elm bark beetles which live in the bark of trees and is carried through the trees’ root system. 

Residents can help in the fight to control the spread of the disease by avoiding buying elm logs for wood-burning stoves and open fires or elm timber that hasn’t been stripped of its bark and treated.

The council’s arboriculture team offers a free inspection of firewood and other timber. If the wood is elm, they will dispose of it and replace it with an alternative.

Anyone concerned about an elm tree, or to request a timber inspection, can email:  Arboriculture@brighton-hove.gov.uk