Ash dieback

Ash dieback is:

• widely distributed throughout Scotland
• caused by a fungus (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)

Import restrictions apply to ash originating in some parts of Europe as well as outside of Europe.

Scotland's ash woods (NatureScot website)

Maps of ash dieback distribution

You can access interactive and print maps showing the distribution of ash dieback across Scotland. These are available on the Forest Research website. 

Ash dieback (Forest Research website)

Ash dieback causes progressive leaf loss resulting, over time, in only sparse areas of foliage remaining in the tree crown. 

Ash dieback has killed ash trees across Europe. It is usually fatal in younger trees. 

Older trees more often die from the combined impact of ash dieback and other root pathogens such as the honey fungus (Armillaria mellea).

Free guidance and toolkits are available to help landowners, managers and operators consider, prepare for, and manage the consequences of ash dieback.

These toolkits were developed in partnership with:

• the Ash Dieback Risk Group Scotland
• Scottish Forestry
• The Tree Council 

Ash dieback: a guide for tree owners in Scotland

An easy-to-read guide on ash dieback available for anyone responsible for ash trees in Scotland. 

The guidance is aimed at readers with little knowledge of ash dieback or tree management.

This provides a good starting point with advice on:

• identifying ash trees
• assessing their health
• deciding what management steps you might need

Ash Dieback: A Guide for Tree Owners in Scotland (Tree Council website)

An ash dieback action plan toolkit for landowners

We encourage all landowners to write an 'ash dieback action plan' to consider and prepare for ash dieback impacts. Plans can be prepared using The Tree Council toolkit. 

The toolkit includes:

• case studies from local authorities 
• advice from other organisations based in Scotland

Ash Dieback: An Action Plan Toolkit for Scotland (Tree Council website)

 

Our ash dieback guidance is available in three complementary documents.

Managing individual ash trees 

This guidance applies to the management of individual or small groups of ash trees. It applies to any situation where infected ash trees pose a risk to public safety or property.

The guidance includes:

• example survey sheets for monitoring ash trees
• information about felling permissions
• information about tree protection legislation
• restocking advice

Guidance on the management of individual ash trees affected by ash dieback in Scotland

Managing woodlands affected by ash dieback

This guidance applies to woodlands with larger numbers of ash trees. The guidance helps landowners and managers:

• plan for and manage ash dieback at woodland scale
• consider ash dieback in the context of woodland management goals

A decision tool is included to help you make management decisions where timber production is a primary goal. 

The guidance also includes advice developed in partnership with NatureScot about managing native ash woods and ash trees on Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The management of woodlands affected by ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) in Scotland

Supplementary guidance note for ash works in Scotland

Are you working on trees infected with ash dieback? This guidance provides information to complement your existing risk assessments, and health and safety practices. 

This guidance shares:

• information about how ash dieback can affect wood structure
• observations and practical considerations from experienced contractors and professional organisations working on infected ash trees
• examples of how tree work methods were adapted to reduce risks to people working on infected trees

Supplementary guidance note for ash works in Scotland (Tree Council website)