We have had to have three trees felled in the lower churchyard opposite the porch. The trees were of the common Ash species Fraxinus Excelsior, common Ash can fall victim to the fungus Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus first scientifically described in 2006. The first signs the disease is present is a loss of the tree canopy caused by crown die back. Once fifty percent of the canopy is lost it is unlikely the tree will recover and also the tree is also unable to resist other diseases. The only remedy currently is to cut the effected tree down. The fungus has no effect on humans or animals just a danger of falling branches. Because of the difficulty of accessing the effected trees a fourth tree, a Sycamore had to be felled to enable a crane to be used to support the trees during the felling operation.
The Churchyard now has a more open aspect in the cleared
area allowing more light in and we have four stumps which we may incorporate
into planting providing a different habitat.
