Almost 700ha of ash forestry destroyed due to ash dieback
To date approximately 693ha of ash forestry plantations have been cleared and replanted with alternative species, according to figures released by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney.
He said a high proportion of the area cleared are plantations which were associated with infected imported batches but which were not necessarily infected.
“These associated plantations were destroyed on a precautionary basis,” he said.
According to the Minister this work involved the uprooting and deep burial of circa 2 million ash trees since late 2012.
In addition he said the findings in forestry plantations were all privately owned apart from one Coillte site.
Infected ash has also been destroyed by deep burial or burning in privately owned non-forestry locations such as horticultural nurseries, gardens and farm and agri-environment plantings.
Minister Coveney also said that there have also been findings in roadsides which have been subject to eradication measures.
In relation to ash planted under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme the Minister said, no data is available specifically for ash trees.
“We do know however, that 23 cases of Chalara have been found on Farm planting/Agri-environment site.”
With regard to hedgerows, the Minister said he can confirm that 4 cases of infection in hedgerows have been identified all of which are associated with sites planted with infected imported material.
