A number of trees in Cleethorpes are set to be cut down after being hit by one of the most serious tree diseases in the world.
Fifteen trees located along the border of King’s Road and Lakeside car park have been infected with Dutch elm disease following inspection by North East Lincolnshire Council’s tree and forestry officers in recent days. was confirmed.
Due to the severity of the infestation, eight of the trees have been recommended for removal and are expected to be removed over the coming weeks and months.
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These trees will then be replaced with “suitable replacements” suited to the local environment, while 45 other trees in the area will continue to be monitored to detect the disease.
Dutch elm disease first arrived in the UK in the 1920s and killed between 10 and 40 per cent of elm trees. The fungus made a comeback in the 1960s when a more aggressive species of the fungus was accidentally introduced.
Councilor Stewart Swinburne, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said:
“However, to prevent the problem from spreading and affecting more trees, the council has no choice but to remove trees that are clearly infected.
“As a council committed to our local environment, we will ensure we do everything we can to ensure the sustainability of our local trees and replant those that have been lost as a result of this work.”