Removal of elm trees near Withdean Park
Unfortunately, work will begin this week to remove several trees on Peacock Lane near Withdean Park following an outbreak of elm disease.
We need to remove approximately 30 larger elm trees on the western half of the road or risk the disease spreading further across the city. We’ll also be removing several smaller elms which have grown from infected roots. The non-elms will be left alone unless they’re found to be unsafe.
We have written to and met with residents in the area to let them know about the work, which is expected to take around 3 weeks. Once finished, we’ll assess the remaining canopy cover and plan to plant some replacement trees from more diverse species to ensure greater resilience in the future.
Felling trees is a last resort. Unfortunately, there are no viable ways for us to stop the disease spreading along the lane from tree to tree through the roots. Removing these trees now gives us the best chance of protecting thousands more of the city’s elms.
Councillor Alan Robins, cabinet member for Sport and Recreation said: “This is very sad news. Having to remove these trees is never an easy decision for our Arboriculture Team to make. They do it with a heavy heart but backed up by years of experience and expertise.
“Leaving the trees there would give the disease the chance to spread and cause further devastation across the city. We’re sorry for the impact this loss will have on the people living in Peacock Lane and we’ll do everything we can to minimise the impact, including planting new trees.
“We’re very proud of the city’s elm collection and are doing what we can to protect it. We ask residents to only buy wood for log burners and stoves if they know it is not elm wood.”
More information
Elm bark beetles breed in the bark of cut, diseased or weakened elm trees. The disease then causes the tree to wilt and die.
Elm disease is spread by:
- fungi transferred from diseased to healthy elms by elm bark beetles,
- the disease being transferred underground between trees through the roots, or
- new trees growing from infected fragments following the removal of a diseased tree.
How you can help
If you spot any elm trees with leaves wilting or turning yellow or brown ahead of autumn, if could be a sign of elm disease.
If you’re concerned about an elm tree, please contact us by emailing elmdisease@brighton-hove.gov.uk with a photo and the tree’s ‘what3words’ location so we can come and take a look.
If it’s infected, we can take immediate action to remove it and stop the disease spreading free of charge to the tree owner.
Find out more about what we do to tackle elm disease in Brighton & Hove.
