BRIGHTON and Hove, Eastbourne and Cuckmere and the Ouse valleys hold the world’s largest population of mature elm trees.

Over the past couple of years, a tragedy has been allowed to unfold – Dutch elm disease is back with a vengeance.

Elms are an iconic part of our heritage, but these magnificent trees are currently facing a fight for survival.

The Dutch Elm Control Scheme – set up in 1971 by East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and neighbouring authorities – successfully protected elms across Sussex until recently.

The disease is caused by a fungus carried by bark beetles, leading to premature death.

There has been a dramatic increase in the disease this year, exacerbated by a warm spring.

In the rural areas of the scheme, a former administrator, the now-defunct Sussex Downs Joint Committee, decided to cut numbers of officers and rely on part-time volunteers.

At the same time, contracts for the felling of diseased trees were substantially delayed.

Expediency is absolutely pivotal to controlling this disease.

This rural element of the scheme recently passed back to ESCC administration, now with only one full-time officer.

The scale of the problem these past weeks has now reached epidemic proportions.

Dead trees from last year provide beetle breeding sites.

With the best intentions, it’s possible ESCC will fail to regain control of a rapidly deteriorating situation. The disease is taking a heavy toll on larger, mature trees. These are important in city, urban and rural landscapes.

Vigilance and the carrying out of prompt felling is a must.

Elms are one of the qualities that draw tourists to our city, towns and South Downs National Park, contributing to the local economy.

Councillors must take urgent action to assist one hard-pressed officer fighting to safeguard this unique element of our landscape.

Savings made from fewer seasonal part-time salaries are a false economy resulting in a prolonged and unnecessary delay in stemming the disease.

Monty Larkin, Sharpthorne, East Grinstead

I AM writing this in support of the local arboricultural team dealing with Dutch elm disease.

There has been a sharp rise in the levels of infection due to an increase in local temperatures, making it favourable for the Elm Bark Beetle (the vector in the spread of the disease) to travel greater distances to feed and breed on host elm trees and suckers.

The trouble is, many infections go undetected.

Colonies of lavae develop under the bark of even small suckers. Such undetected trees are those in private gardens, woodlands and cemeteries. Some elms, like Dutch and English varieties, are more susceptible than others and therefore pose a greater threat to other elms with greater resistance. These hidden trees are potential breeding grounds.

This summer many people cannot afford to go abroad, let alone have a holiday. I would say, to prevent a catastrophic environmental issue from happening – and also to prevent a huge debt situation in the city’s finances – look for Dutch elm disease infections and assist the local tree teams. Not just in local parks, but in woodlands and streets.

Most of all, please check if you have a known elm in your garden.

For information on Dutch elm disease, you can look up Dutch elm disease on Brighton and Hove City Council’s website. Or simply put “Dutch elm disease” into Google.

Peter Bourne, Wellington Road, Brighton