Roadside Felling
You may have noticed 'orange paint marks' on roadside trees. These marked trees are diseased and will be felled in the very near future. Where possible we will use traffic lights to keep roads open however, occasionally, we may need to temporarily close the road for safety reasons. This page provides more information about the work we're doing.
What is happening?
Working in partnership with Highways, Forestry England will be removing ash trees along roadways in the Forest of Dean which are suffering from Chalara ash dieback. These trees are showing more that 50% crown dieback which makes them potentially unsafe due to the risk of dropping limbs or falling entirely.
A number of other trees that may need to be felled might also be removed during the closure to avoid further disruption.
As we will often be working on both sides of the road there will be a series of road closures to allow our team to work safely.
Diversions will be put in place and access to property will be maintained using banks persons.
Please be aware that dates and durations for works are subject to change in the event of adverse weather or unforeseen circumstances.
All ash trees showing >50% crown dieback within a tree length of the public highway will be felled or otherwise made safe. The understorey within five metres of the road may also be coppiced at the same time, to improve visibility along the road.
What is Ash dieback?
Chalara ash dieback is a serious disease of ash trees, caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which is infecting ash trees across Europe and the UK. The disease affects ash trees by blocking the water transport systems, causing leaf loss, lesions in the wood and on the bark. This leads to the dieback of the crown of the tree. Trees become brittle over time with branches breaking away from the main body of the tree. If they are not dealt with, trees are at risk of collapsing, presenting an immediate danger to the surrounding area.
Please follow this link for more information www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/pest-and-disease-resources/ash-dieback-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus/
Can I still access my property?
Yes, whilst diversions will be in place, access to property and for emergency services will be maintained throughout using banks persons.
What about the wildlife?
Before we start any forestry work, we carry out thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We consider our findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning forestry work.
Where can I find out more?
If you have any questions about this work, please contact us at westengland@forestryengland.uk.