THE first cases of ash dieback have today been discovered in Ipswich, the borough council has confirmed.
Two saplings were found to be suffering from the deadly disease during a routine inspection at Bridge Wood, Orwell Country Park.
Ipswich Borough Council destroyed the saplings to help prevent the disease from spreading.
The Forestry Commission have been informed.
Andy Whalley, the council’s tree expert, said: “We have more than 600 individual specimens on our land and perhaps another 13,500 in woodland groups and these are the first diseased ash we have discovered.
“Sadly, it is inevitable there will be more and this is why we will play our part in trying to reduce the rate of spread of the disease.”
The discovery came as it was revealed Suffolk was on the frontline of the disease’s onslaught.
Nearly a quarter of the UK’s confirmed cases are in Suffolk.
To report a suspected case telephone 01420 23000 or e-mail ddas.ah@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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