Forum advice notes

The Forum has collaborated on preparing the following free Advice Notes covering a range of subjects related to Ash Dieback and its management in Devon.

Ash dieback: Farmers Information Sheet

This short leaflet, aimed at farmer, has been prepared by FWAG South West (Farmers and Wildlife Advisory Group) in association with the NFU. It provides key information including how to recognise if trees have the disease, what landowner need to do, and where to find further information.

Lesion on young tree affected by ash dieback

A guide to protecting species and habitats

This guidance aims to make landowners and managers aware of their obligations to protect species (not just birds and bats, but also invertebrates and rare lichens), and the ways they can help minimise the effects of the disease on wildlife. It covers legal and biosecurity requirements as well as providing specific guidance on types of wildlife. It also includes advice on veteran trees.

Barn Owl perched on Tree

Increasing the resilience of Devon’s treescapes

This guidance is for those responsible for and working with trees in rural and urban areas, including landowners, advisors, planners, farmers, foresters, councils and local communities. It identifies the key factors that together are threatening to reduce the resilience of our landscapes to changes, and suggests key actions to combat these.

Tree planting for increased resilience

Replacing ash: appropriate tree selection

This guidance addresses which tree and shrub species should be encouraged, through planting or natural regeneration, to replace lost ash. The aim is to ensure a resilient landscape – one which can cope with current and future threats while remaining attractive, functional and rich in wildlife. It promotes key principles to follow, and covers consideration of native and non-native species, biosecurity, and the effects of other tree pests and diseases.

Ash Tree

The many benefits of ash trees

This guidance note explains how ash trees are a major component of Devon’s `natural capital’. It outlines the benefits of ash trees to the environment, economy (in particular farm businesses and forestry), and to the wider society, concluding that the loss of ash trees could have big impacts on all of these.

Ash wood planks

Ash Dieback: Key messages and principles for landscape maintenance and restoration, including wildlife and natural capital

This guidance highlights that the loss of Ash trees will impact heavily on Devon’s landscape quality, wildlife, and resilience to climate change, including flood risk. It promotes key principles for replacing lost ash, managing its environmental impacts and increasing the resilience of our Treescapes.

Ash Trees

Advice on engaging a contractor

This guidance note is aimed at landowners wishing to engage a specialist contractor for tree inspections, tree felling, and planting. It highlights some general considerations to ensure value for money, achievement of intended outcomes, and adequate compliance with potential legal and safety risks.

Contractor felling Ash