Hundreds of trees planted to tackle fungal disease

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
National Trust/Luci Scrocca A ranger plants a tree in the ground of a field. He places the tree into the ground and uses his hands to cover it with soil. Other already planted trees can be seen behind him.National Trust/Luci Scrocca
National Trust rangers have been attempting to bring an estate back to life after trees were hit by a fungal disease

A National Trust team has planted 1,300 trees to restore a landscape devastated by a fungal disease.

Parts of Ickworth Estate near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk have been affected by ash dieback disease, which causes the deterioration and eventual death of trees.

Rangers worked through the winter, planting mostly oak trees they hoped would improve diversity and remain for centuries to come.

Lead ranger Dee Gathorne-Hardy said the disease had been "devastating", with just a small number of trees having shown resilience to it.

National Trust/James Dobson A ranger is pictured using a chainsaw to cut up a large tree trunk that lies on the ground. He wears an orange protective helmet, a blue T-shirt and green trousers. National Trust/James Dobson
Ash trees that were hit by ash dieback disease on the estate were felled for safety reasons

"Around 20% of the woodland at Ickworth is made up of ash trees and we've already lost a large proportion of these trees to ash dieback," Mr Gathorne-Hardy said.

"Only a small number of the ash trees are showing resilience at present, so it's been devastating for the woodland here, as it has across the country."

The disease weakens branches and trunks, which then need to be removed as they become unsafe.

"While it is very sad to lose so many trees, we're taking the opportunity to replant the woodland with a variety of different species, which will improve the diversity and health of the habitat long-term," he added.

National Trust/Luci Scrocca A ranger places a plastic tree guard into the ground where a tree has just been planted. Others already in place can be seen behind him.National Trust/Luci Scrocca
A large population of deer enjoy eating new growth, so the new trees have protective wraps

About a third of the 1,800-acre (728 hectares) Ickworth Estate is covered by woodland.

It is also home to about 1,500 ancient and veteran trees, some as old as 700 years, providing habitats for a wide range of wildlife.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related internet links