Villagers’ fears for iconic ash
ASH: Chairman of Barkston Ash Parish Council Jonathan Hirst and the village Ash Tree. (BUY THIS PHOTO L7836TS) Picture: Tony Saxton
COUNCILLORS in Barkston Ash will hold a meeting this week, with one of the key topics of discussion being the iconic village tree, which it is feared could be at risk of ash disease.
Residents in the village near Tadcaster, where the tree has stood for over 140 years, are worried that the landmark may be lost to the deadly disease which is spreading its way across Europe.
Jonathan Hirst, chairman of Barkston Ash Parish Council (pictured with the tree), said that the iconic image is a prominent part of the village which not only takes its name from the tree, but also has a pub, the Ash Tree, in its honour.
He said: “Barkston Ash is created around the ash tree so it would be a real shame if there would be something to happen to it.
“It could be a real problem. Barkston is one of the centres of the original Yorkshire so I think there is some historical significance to the tree.”
Ash dieback disease or to give it the technical term, Chalara fraxinea fungus, causes leaf loss and crown dieback, and can eventually lead to tree death.
The disease, which has led to around 90 percent of ash trees in parts of Denmark being wiped out, is becoming widespread throughout central Europe. This week it was revealed that there were 130 confirmed sites of the disease in the UK.
Councillors in Barkston Ash will now thrash out talks aimed at preserving the tree’s status.
Mr Hirst added: “It’s the heart of the village, the roots of the village.”
Only 14 years ago the original tree had to be felled after it began to die and therefore became a health and safety hazard.
The replacement tree was planted shortly after and is protected by a fence to guard against potential vandalism.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Goole
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
