If you’ve driven along the A38 near Ripley or through Sherwood Forest recently, you’ve likely seen the work crews. As we move through Spring 2026, the impact of Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) has reached a critical point across the East Midlands.
For homeowners in Nottinghamshire, South Sheffield, and Derbyshire, the question is no longer if your Ash trees will be affected, but when they become a structural danger to your home.
The winter storms of late 2025 and early 2026 (like Storm Darragh) acted as a stress test for our local woodlands.
Brittle Wood: Ash Dieback makes tree limbs incredibly brittle. Unlike a healthy Oak that might bend in a gale, an infected Ash snaps like glass.
The M1 Corridor & Beyond: We are seeing a massive increase in “branch drop” in residential areas across Mansfield, Beeston, and West Bridgford.
As the leaves begin to (hopefully) emerge this spring, look out for these “Red Flags”:
Blackened Leaf Tips: If new growth looks “burnt” or shriveled before it even opens.
Diamond Lesions: Look at the bark where branches join the trunk. Dark, diamond-shaped scars are a classic sign the fungus is cutting off the tree’s nutrients.
The 50% Rule: Experts (and local councils) generally agree that once 50% of the canopy shows dieback, the tree is unlikely to recover and becomes a high falling risk.
Local Safety Warning: Derbyshire County Council recently allocated over £3.8 million to tackle Ash Dieback because diseased trees were falling onto public highways. If a tree on your private land falls onto a road or a neighbor’s house, the legal and financial liability rests with you.
There is currently no cure, but not every Ash tree needs to be felled immediately.
Tolerance: About 1–5% of trees show natural tolerance. If your tree looks healthy while others are dying, it’s worth preserving!
Safety Pruning: In some cases, we can remove the dangerous “deadwood” to extend the life of the tree while keeping your lawn or driveway safe.
Tackling a diseased Ash tree is not a DIY job. Because the wood becomes so unpredictable and brittle, traditional climbing techniques can be dangerous. Our team uses specialised rigging and, where necessary, cherry pickers (MEWPs) to dismantle infected trees safely.
Whether you’re in North Notts, South Sheffield, or the Derbyshire Dales, don’t wait for the next gust of wind to decide the fate of your trees.
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