Working With Ash Dieback at Leys Farm: Safety, Stewardship and a Long View
Ash dieback has begun to show itself at Leys Farm, though most of our ash trees are still in the early stages. A thinning crown here, a patch of dieback there — subtle signs that something isn’t quite right. They are not collapsing, but they are changing, and we have to respond with care.
For now, the woodland still feels familiar. The ash still holds its place in the landscape. But we know what the coming years may bring, and we are preparing for it slowly and responsibly.
Why We’re Beginning Removal Now
Our first priority is simple: safety.
We are starting with trees close to:
- houses
- footpaths
- boundaries
- areas used by visitors
- grazing and livestock spaces
Even early‑stage dieback can make branches unpredictable, and we won’t take risks with people or animals. The rest of the ash will remain standing for as long as it is safe to do so.
This is not a clear‑fell. It is a phased, careful process that will take years.
Hoping for Natural Resistance
Not every ash tree responds to dieback in the same way. Some decline quickly; others hold on for years; a small number show signs of natural tolerance.
We want to give those trees a chance.
By removing only the highest‑risk ash and monitoring the rest, we hope to identify individuals that may survive long term. These trees could become the backbone of the next generation of ash at Leys Farm.
It is a slow approach, but woodland work usually is.
Using the Timber Responsibly
When a tree does have to come down, we want its story to continue.
Ash is exceptional firewood — clean burning, naturally low in moisture, and ideal for both open fires and small stoves. Rather than waste the timber, we are preparing it for a new project here on the farm: boxed firewood, produced entirely from our own woodland management.
This will become part of a wider effort to support:
- replanting native species
- restoring hedgerows
- improving habitat
- long‑term woodland renewal
Once the dedicated page is live, we’ll share more about how the firewood is prepared and how it supports the future of the woodland.
A Woodland in Transition
The removal of ash around paths and buildings will change the look of the farm in places, but it also creates opportunities:
- more light reaching the woodland floor
- space for young trees to establish
- improved habitat for birds and insects
- a more diverse, resilient woodland over time
This is part of the same long‑term thinking that shapes The Wild Collective — small, steady actions that shape a landscape for decades to come.
Looking Ahead
We are not rushing. Most of the ash will remain standing for now, watched closely and managed carefully. Some may decline. Some may surprise us. A few may prove more resilient than expected.
Our job is simply to guide the woodland through this transition with patience and purpose — keeping people safe, using what we can, and planting for the future.
Ash dieback is a challenge, but it is not the end of the story. At Leys Farm, it is the beginning of a new chapter in how we care for the land.