Trees - arboriculture and preservation orders

Ash dieback is a serious disease affecting ash trees across the UK and Scotland. It is caused by a fungus that spreads through the air and infects trees through their leaves. There is no cure, and many ash trees are expected to decline or die over time.

The disease can make trees weak and brittle, which can create safety risks for people and property.

How to spot it

You are most likely to notice signs in summer. Look out for:

• leaves that are wilted, blackened or dying
• bare or thinning branches at the top of the tree
• cracks or discoloured patches on the trunk
• dead or brittle branches

If you see a tree with these signs on council land and it looks unsafe, please report it.

Who is responsible

The owner of the land is responsible for the trees on it. If you own land or have a tree in your garden, you must make sure it is safe.

If you are concerned about an ash tree on your property, you should contact a qualified tree specialist for advice. Trees affected by ash dieback can be dangerous to work on, so do not try to carry out work yourself.

Do trees need to be removed

Not all ash trees need to be cut down. Some may survive or tolerate the disease. Where it is safe to do so, keeping trees can support wildlife and biodiversity.

However, trees that pose a safety risk may need to be pruned or removed.

What we are doing

We are surveying and monitoring ash trees on council land to assess their condition and risk. We will:

• remove or prune trees where there is a safety risk
• keep and protect lower-risk or resistant trees where possible
• plant replacement trees where needed

Find out more or report concerns

If you are worried about a tree on council land, you can report it to us. For trees on private land, please contact a tree professional.

Further guidance is available from organisations such as Scottish Forestry, the Woodland Trust and the Tree Council.