Saving our trees from ash dieback in Sussex – a research project at Sacred Earth
Our beloved ash trees are under threat from ash dieback disease, which has spread across the UK and threatens to devastate the trees and the many species that live on them. In an attempt to combat this, Sacred Earth has partnered with Coventry University in a new research project.
Studies are being carried out to find out if some trees are resistant to the disease, and whether the health of the soil in which the trees are growing can also help them fight it.
A PhD researcher from Coventry University, Ffion Thomas, is running our field trial on soil health and potential resistance. With the help of volunteers, she has been gathering ash seedlings from our woodland and planting them out with different sustainable soil amendments, including our own biochar (willow charcoal made on site) to see if this reduces levels of dieback as the seedlings grow. This study could provide vital information and improve the chances of survival for our remaining ash trees.
Would you like to get involved?
Ffion and her team have been digging up ash tree seedlings that have self-seeded in our woodland. They then gather soil from the woodland floor and pot up the seedlings.
Earlier this year many of the seedlings were planted out in the field (now a tree ‘nursery’) where their health can be monitored, to see if the soil amendments are helping them resist ash dieback. Ultimately, we hope to have a beautiful ash woodland to leave for future generations to enjoy, as well as valuable information that could help counter the effects of this terrible disease.
Contact Ffion if you’d like to find out more.
