The Scottish Wildlife Trust has published a report looking at the future of our woodlands now ash dieback, the disease caused by Chalara fraxinea fungus, is established in the UK.

The report includes suggested species that can be planted to fill the niche left by ash. For upland mixed ash woods, the alternatives include hazel, aspen and rowan, while for lowland mixed deciduous woodland oak, downy birch and grey willow are among the suitable species suggested.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has a vision of thriving woodlands in Scotland after ash dieback, but this will only be possible with responsible land management, replanting ash with tree species suitable to the environment.

Scottish Wildlife Trust Head of Policy Dr Maggie Keegan said:

“This report sets out our vision of how Scotland can live with ash dieback. Experience from other countries has shown that once established it is impossible to eradicate ash dieback as there is no known cure.

“We have suggested alternative species for various different types of woodland which will fill the important ecological niche left by ash. It is important to use a full palate of native species, but crucially use the right tree in the right place.

“As the leaf structure of ash lets light penetrate to the ground in the woods, they support a rich understory which can contain rare woodland flowers such as dark red helleborine and whorled Solomon's seal.

“We don’t want to lose this valuable habitat for future generations, so must do all we can to recreate it as best we can after ash dieback.”

Click here to read the full ash dieback alternatives report.