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Husum sounds the alarm: ash trees felled due to deadly fungus!
In Husum, due to the dieback of ash shoots, numerous diseased ash trees are felled in order to avoid the dangers of falling trees.
Husum sounds the alarm: ash trees felled due to deadly fungus!
The felling squad is in full swing in Husum: diseased ash trees that are affected by the dreaded ash shoot dieback are being felled here. The head of the Husum building yard, Martin Boecker, warns that the diseased trees could pose a danger - especially on cycle paths, where they could fall directly on passers-by. Just three weeks ago, an ash tree joined a private garden without any warning. Such incidents are alarming and call for action.
Ash shoot dieback caused by the invasive fungusHymenoscyphus fraxineus, is a problem that should not be underestimated. This fungus, which has its origins in East Asia, blocks the ash tree's nutrient pathways and thus leads to the trees slowly dying. In recent years, the number of ash trees in Germany has declined alarmingly by around 20 percent.
The meaning of the ash tree
Ash trees are not only a beautiful part of the local nature, but also important for biodiversity and furniture making. In Schleswig-Holstein they make up around three percent of the total tree population. Despite the threat, there is hope: around four percent of ash trees show no signs of the disease and have resistance properties to the fungus. Researchers suspect that the trees' genetic makeup and mycobiome may contribute to resistance.
There are 20 more ash trees on the felling list in Husum this year. This is necessary to avoid danger to revelers and students alike. It is a challenge that now affects many regions in Germany, as the reports from NDR clearly illustrate.
Background and research
How does this deadly fungus actually spread so quickly? Scientists have studied the phenotypic interactions between tree species and invasive forest pathogens. Globalization and climate change play a role that should not be underestimated, as research by Stenlid and Oliva (2016) shows. In the past, intensive analysis has also been carried out into how invasive species spread and what consequences this has for local ecosystems, as various studies in Nature show.
As climate change progresses, it is becoming increasingly important for forestry to promote more resilient tree species and preserve the integrity of forests. The challenges are great and require quick action – not just from local authorities, but from everyone connected to nature and the environment.