Landscape recovery initiative plants over 500 trees in Denbighshire

The council’s Tree Team have been working hard to manage the effects of Ash Dieback in the county.

In recent years the effects of Ash Dieback have been felt across the county, with numerous trees dying or being felled for health and safety reasons.

As the common name of ash dieback suggests, infected trees typically die back, with physical symptoms resulting in the form of wilting leaves and bark lesions. There is no known cure or method for preventing the transmission of this airborne fungus currently meaning alternative approaches are needed to deal with its impact.

The native ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) of the UK is particularly common across Denbighshire’s landscape and is valuable for nature and people, making this disease particularly damaging for our environment.  

The ‘After Ash’ project, organised by the council’s Tree Team to aid landscape recovery, successfully planted over 500 trees across two sites in Llandegla and Llanarmon yn Iâl last winter.

The works completed by the project was funded by the Sustainable Development Fund and the UK Government through its UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The team planted native species of trees suitable for the locations and beneficial for biodiversity to thrive, providing valuable habitats once grown along the B5430, whilst also restoring a hedgerow alongside the A542.

To help the newly planted trees establish, the team used mulch matting made from British wool to supress competing weeds and help retain the moisture in the soil.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said:

“The work that our Tree Team have done through the ‘After Ash’ project is vital in managing the effects of Ash Dieback in the county and the planting of these trees will go a long way towards recovery of the landscape in Llandegla and Llanarmon yn Iâl.”