Geograph - photograph every grid square

TQ5801
Although the entire, scarp face of the South Downs on the northern and western outskirts of Eastbourne is affected by ash dieback, it was in TQ5801 that work was first carried out, by the Forestry Commission on behalf of Eastbourne Borough Council, to tackle the problem. As there is no known cure for ash dieback, their solution was a radical one in that it meant removing the infected trees. In total, this has already meant the felling and removal of thousands of trees.
The plan to deal with local ash dieback envisioned a programme of five years’ work commencing at the end of 2019. Butts Brow is a honeypot site, largely because of the access afforded by Butts Lane and the car park at the summit. However, access to the car park was blocked to the public during the first phase of the work to allow the Forestry Commission to have controlled, uninterrupted and safe access to the site. Much of the tree felling was done during the winter months as this caused the least disturbance to people and wildlife; spring was avoided for major work because of the likely disturbance to nesting birds. During the first phase of work, a huge log pile of ash dieback timber was stacked in the carpark at Butts Brow but this was later removed to a biomass facility.
When walking on paths through thickly wooded parts of the wood, it is still possible to think that all the trees are healthy. This misconception arises because there are other healthy trees such as sycamore, beech and hawthorn also growing there. However, in photos which show a wide and representative area, the once green canopy can has now largely become a deathly grey colour.
It is the UK’s stated intention to become carbon neutral by 2050 and ash, like other trees, sequesters carbon. The plan is to replace Eastbourne’s ash trees with other native trees at a lower density of planting. This would open new vistas while also creating woodland glades which promote biodiversity. While many may still lament the loss of ash woodland, this plan has, I think, much to recommend it.
Andrew Diack BA (Hons)
TQ5801 : Butts Brow viewed from Willingdon Golf CourseTQ5801 : Ash dieback affecting woodland at Babylon Down, EastbourneTQ5801 : Ash dieback on steep slopes of the Downs and likely soil erosionTQ5801 : Ash trees with ash dieback on the South Downs, EastbourneTQ5801 : Leafless, ash dieback trees on the South Downs