People have been urged to do their bit to protect the city's historic elm collection from a deadly disease.

Earlier this year, Brighton and Hove City Council had to remove dozens of trees near Withdean Park because of elm disease.

During the summer, the council also began to use a drone to help spot trees with signs of the disease.

Where possible, the local authority plants replacement trees from more diverse species to ensure greater resilience in the future.

The council wants to reduce the risk of spreading elm disease this winter and has now asked people who may have log burners and open fireplaces to ensure they do not have elm logs in their wood piles, as this can spread the disease.

“Elm logs brought into the city for burning in fireplaces and wood-burners may contain the larvae of the beetles that spread elm disease,” a spokesman said.

“The council regrettably had to remove dozens of trees from a single street this year due to an outbreak thought to have originated from logs stored nearby.

“Burning wood in fireplaces and burners is a big contributor to particulate pollution and implicated in one in 20 deaths of people over 30 in Brighton and Hove.

“It also has serious impacts on those with conditions such as asthma.

“We have a clear message to residents this winter:

“Please don’t burn solid fuels unnecessarily.

“If you do need to use your wood-burner or fireplace, please buy smokeless fuels.

“Avoid elm logs at all costs - if you are buying logs, ask the seller if they include elm.

“If you think you may have elm in your collection, contact us via elmdisease@brighton-hove.gov.uk. We’ll dispose of them and give you an alternative free of charge."

How is elm disease spread?

Elm bark beetles breed in the bark of cut, diseased or weakened elm trees. The disease then causes the tree to wilt and die.

Elm disease is spread by:

  • Fungi transferred from diseased to healthy elms by elm bark beetles
  • The disease being transferred underground between trees through the roots, or
  • New trees growing from infected fragments following the removal of a diseased tree.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, said: “Brighton and Hove is very proud to hold the National Elm Collection, and our teams work hard throughout the year to stop the spread of elm disease, but we need everyone’s help.

“If people really need to use their log burners and fireplaces this winter, it’s vital they don’t buy elm logs for burning or keep them stored in their gardens and woodsheds. This can spread the disease and could mean we are forced to fell more trees.

“If we all play our part, we can improve the health of our residents and keep elms alive and flourishing in the city.”