ACTION to remove trees affected by a destructive fungal disease is set to continue along the county’s roads.

West Sussex County Council is carrying out works to fell trees infected with ash dieback on the county’s major road network.

Ash Dieback is a highly destructive disease which, according to West Sussex County Council, is predicted to kill up to 95 per cent of the UK’s ash trees in this country.

The disease causes leaves to wilt and die, trees to become weak and brittle with  the potential to shed branches or even fall.

Last year, 1,500 ash trees were felled on A and B roads in West Sussex.

The Argus: An ash tree showing signs of Ash Dieback, with its significantly reduced crownAn ash tree showing signs of Ash Dieback, with its significantly reduced crown

Now, on high-speed and high traffic-flow routes, the council plans to remove more in the felling season.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring we have a healthy and diverse tree population to support wildlife and, where practicable, we will do all we can to save trees, for example, those showing resilience which we will monitor yearly when in leaf.

“We will also, where possible, only remove the risk elements of the tree to retain viable wildlife habitat where it won’t cause a risk to safety.

“However, ash dieback is dangerous to our highway network and its users, and we are taking steps to remove severely-infected ash trees on county council-owned land that pose a risk, as well as inform the bordering landowners of their own responsibilities.”

In the 2022/2023 felling season (September 2022 to March 2023, depending on seasonal weather conditions and subsequent bird nesting) the council will work on the following major roads, among other sites and routes within the county:

  • A24 – Southwater area
  • A281 – Horsham to the county boundary
  • A283 – Shoreham Flyover to the Washington Roundabout
  • A285 - to be confirmed
  • A29 - to be confirmed

Arboriculturists are also currently undertaking surveys on C and D-classified roads.

The Argus: A healthy ash treeA healthy ash tree

“Private landowners are strongly advised to check their trees for signs of ash dieback,” said the council spokesman.

“If dark-coloured, dead leaves are present among live foliage, this is an indication that ash dieback could be taking hold. If the crown of your Ash tree is looking thin and bare, suspect ash dieback disease.”