Ash dieback challenge for South Wales nature reserve

Posted on 08 October 2024

Client: South West Wales Wildlife Trust

Site: Cwm Ivy Nature Reserve

Very happy with the advice I received. SWTC understood my requirements and surveyed the reserve, highlighting those trees which needed attention and considering the impact on woodland, landscape and the species which may be directly affected.

Aims and Objectives

A Wildlife Trust reserve manager in south Wales contacted us as they had a wooded reserve which is dominant with ash trees. The usage of the reserve was thought to be increasing as part of the Wales Coast Path had recently been diverted through the reserve. The client was growing increasingly concerned with the impacts of ash dieback disease on the current and future management of the reserve, as well as the subsequent risk posed to an increasing number of walkers passing through and enjoying the reserve.

The aim of the works carried out was to:
- Review the overall site usage and 'risk-zone' the site to highlight those areas of greatest use where the survey effort will be focused, and scope out all other lesser-used areas to conserve client funds.
- Carry out a ground-based survey in the summer months, to fully establish and evaluate the physiological condition of the ash trees able to affect frequently used areas, and categorise all the trees.
- Provide a written report to collate this information, = prioritise tree works according to their urgency and discuss management objectives going forward.

Approach and Outcomes

The survey highlighted a number of trees posing unacceptable risks. These trees were tagged and marked with paint for ease of identification on site. The client can now obtain specific and comparable tree work quotes from local contractors to begin to manage the issue.

When managing a large population of trees which pose unacceptable risks but with a small budget, two potential outcomes are feasible; either remove the risk - in this case the trees, or exclude that which might be harmed - be it those passing through the reserve. As the reserve only has permissive access, this can be withdrawn and access can be excluded more readily than if the site were a public right of way. Such a decision can only be made by the reserve manager and we fully appreciate is a difficult one - it is after all a reserve manager's role to curate these spaces for nature, but for the enjoyment of people as well. We will continue to provide advice to our client as needed to help obtain, on balance, the best possible outcome.

The client was advised to continue to keep an eye on the trees (which we call passive assessment) and seek advice from an arboriculturist if they see any obivous issue with a tree that concerns them. We also advised a repeat active assessment is conducted in 3 years.