Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)

What is Ash dieback?

Ash dieback, caused by the non-native fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (formerly known as Chalara fraxinea), presents a significant threat to the UK's treescape on a scale not seen since Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s.

Ash is the third most common native tree in the UK, occurring in woodlands and other landscape settings, it has a high ecological value, cultural and historical significance within the county. Ash dieback is now found throughout the UK, eradication of the disease is not possible as this pathogen is an airborne fungus and is now considered endemic within the UK.

Latest updates

Notice of Ash dieback works on Surrey's Countryside Estate

In the interest of public safety, felling of diseased and dying ash trees is planned to take place in higher and medium risk areas around the county starting in the autumn, following the conclusion of ground nesting bird season. On the Countryside Estate, works will focus around targeted areas of Chittys and Stringers Common which form part of Worplesdon Commons, Shere Woodlands (near Guildford), Norbury Park (Leatherhead/Dorking) and Newlands Corner (Guildford).

Maps in PDF format of where ash trees will be felled on Surrey's Countryside Estate are available to view below:

• Map (PDF) of Chitty's Common
• Map (PDF) of Stringers Common
• Map (PDF) of Shere Woodlands
• Map (PDF) of Norbury Park
• Map (PDF) of Newlands Corner

Necessary works will also take place at Markedge Shaw (Merstham), Beech Avenue (Effingham), Witley Common, and Rodborough Common (Milford) and on other Surrey County Council landholdings around the county with posters displayed in public locations to inform of upcoming works.

Planned works are subject to obtaining appropriate licenses, satisfactory survey results and other permissions as required, so locations may be subject to change. Felling licenses will be made available to view as they are received on the Ash dieback felling licences web page.

Updates on felling taking place

Norbury Park and Mickleham bends

We are pleased to announce that Public Right of Way 22 (Bridleway) and the connecting Crabtree Lane car park are now fully open as all felling works are complete.

The works at Mickleham bends have now been completed.

Works carried out in Bookham Woods are now complete.

Works will continue in 2025 at points along the Mole Gap Trail, the railway line, Young Street and along the self-guided Butterfly trail.

Chitty's and Stringers Commons

Works at both these sites have now been completed.

Newlands Corner

Work at this site has now been completed.

Shere Woodlands

Work at this site has now been completed.

Beech Avenue, Effingham

Works along Beech Avenue have now been completed.

Please note that dates are always subject to change and dependant on contractor availability, weather and other factors.

Updates will continue to be posted on this page via our Explore Surrey social media channels and our 'Countryside Matters' e-newsletter.

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How will Ash dieback be managed?

The Council (Surrey County Council) will focus on managing the risks posed from dying ash trees in high and medium risk locations and it will consider the nature conservation value that ash provides.

The latest evidence suggests that at least 80% of the UK's ash will succumb to the disease, impacting both people and wildlife, presenting a significant risk management and economic challenge to our council budgets.

We recognise our duty to proactively manage the impact of Ash dieback on our own landholdings, as well as promoting good management across the wider county.

We will retain ash trees and monitor their disease progression where safe to do so, and in accordance with our tree risk management policy, only trees considered dead or significantly impaired or deemed a risk will be removed. Where possible timber will be chipped and processed, left at the site in the majority of cases.

We will carry out significant Ash dieback removal works outside of bird nesting season between September and March but will in necessary and specific circumstances, need to remove dead or high-risk trees in accordance with our tree risk management policy during this period, after careful risk assessment and ecological considerations.

We will take action to reduce the landscape and biodiversity impact via the following methods:

• Ecological surveys will be undertaken where necessary to determine presence of protected species (for example birds or bats) and where necessary, replacement habitat or mitigation put in place.
• Disease resistant trees will be identified, monitored and safeguarded where necessary.
• Where appropriate, deadwood will be retained in the form of wood piles or standing habitats as ash trees die or are removed.
• Allow for the natural regeneration of ash and for replacement tree cover, where appropriate, when the council will also consider planting native broadleaf tree species, particularly as part of a management plan or under Forestry Commission directive. These trees will be locally, or UK grown and sourced to ensure proper biosecurity (disease prevention). To find out about our target to plant 1.2 million new trees by 2030, see Surrey's new tree strategy.

Finally, the council will be clear in its communications to members of the public, elected councillors and partnership organisations as to why it's carrying out Ash dieback related work on its managed land. We will constantly review the guidance around this disease to ensure work is in accordance with best practice guidance and up to date, based on information from a variety of sources.

Further reading

• Forestry Commission- Forest Research: Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) on Forest Research website
• The Tree Council's Ash Dieback Toolkit: Ash dieback action plan toolkit for local authorities on The Tree Council website
• Woodlands Trust- Adapting to Ash dieback: Adapting to ash dieback position statement on the Woodland Trust website.