Agenda item

Neil Harris, National Trust, informed members on ash dieback and clearance. The work had been prioritised by usage, to combat issues with potential risk to ash trees dying and falling. The focus had been on medium to very high usage zones. Ash dieback is a fungal disease causing the timber to become brittle. The longer the tree has the disease, the more brittle they become and more likely to fall over. To avoid this risk when clearing, the National Trust had used a contractor with mechanical equipment, such as a walking excavator, to clear the edges of the footpath. This is safer than manual clearing and the timber is turned into wood or chipped for wildlife. Roughly £160,000 was spent in the last year to clear sites including Pulpit Hill and Aston Wood. The next site to be looked at is Hughenden, which would be closed for two weeks to clear diseased ash trees on the main visitor route. Work was also planned for Coombe Hill this winter 2021/22, which was delayed due to the nesting season. Where there was a lot of felling, the National Trust were also replanting, particularly at Bradenham. About 11,500 trees would be planted this winter. Funding had been provided by the National Trust Plant a Tree Campaign. £60,000 had been granted for the replanting, about six hectares of ash dieback. A large proportion of the money would go towards on-site preparation, such as deer fencing.

In response to this update, the following points were mentioned:

·         The main issue of ash dieback is that the trees become unpredictable. The National Trust review their trees in June and assess them on a percentage of crown die back. 50% and greater crown dieback signals for the tree to be removed the following winter. Less than 50% dieback could mean that the tree can recover.

·         To avoid ground shrinkage, the National Trust were replanting and replace with hedges and shrub layers.

·         At Pulpit Hill on the edge of the Byway GLK/40A, a tree stump in the middle of the byway had been removed.

·         Landowners had a duty of care to anyone on their property. Mr Harris suggested prioritising trees based on usage and the target, e.g. the target is greater if the tree is next to a house rather than a field.

·         Trees in the Hughenden Valley were raised as a concern near the highway. Mr Clark requested details on the site so it can be inspected. The Forum were informed of a regular programme of inspection for trees in the county that should pick up any issues.

·         Regarding the work on Naphill Common, Mr Harris explained that a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) would be protected by Natural England and the Forestry Commission. To apply to do work on a SSSI, you have to give a statutory notice of operations (SNO).

·         Mr Clark informed the Forum that the Council RoW Team could organise free RoW closures for charities.

The Forum noted the letters on the Wayside Farm and Chawley Manor Farm Open Access Restriction consultation and the 2026 cut-off date introduced by the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000.

Mr Brian Worrell, British Driving Society Beds, Bucks and Herts, gave an update from the Ridgeway Delivery Group. The report would be appended to the minutes of this meeting.