Protect Our Elms

Elm logs brought into Brighton & Hove are killing our precious trees.

Expert management protects Brighton & Hove from elm disease, one of the world’s most serious tree diseases.

Sadly, the city is an island, surrounded by areas which are not managed and do not control the spread of this devastating disease.

Logs and timber brought in from East and West Sussex can be dangerous if they contain elm. They can carry the fungus and elm bark beetles that spread disease and kill our trees.

Elm disease has devastated trees across the world, making Brighton & Hove’s trees very special indeed.

But disease is spreading from infected log piles on private property and killing much-loved street trees.

Over the past five years the city has lost hundreds and hundreds of trees.

Recently 60 trees were lost in Peacock Lane and nine mature street trees near Seven Dials were lost to suspected log pile infections.

How you can protect our city’s elms

There are some simple steps you can take to help protect our city’s precious elms.

• Make sure the logs you are buying are not elm. Ash, maple, apple and birch are all fine.
• Buy from a reputable dealer. Ask what kind of wood your logs are and where they are from.
• Do not be tempted to buy cheap wood from outside the city where infection is rife.
• If you have a log pile which you are worried might contain elm, contact the council to have it inspected.
• If an elm on or near your property is damaged or has fallen call the council to collect and dispose of it safely.

The cost of elm disease

Each year it costs tens of thousands of pounds to control the spread of infection.

Recent calculations show controlling the spread of elm disease now will save the city more than £39 million which would otherwise have to be spent on rectifying the situation later.

The city is working to strengthen the current laws preventing wood coming into the city from unprotected areas.

Further restrictions on the movement of logs and timber with bark on are currently being raised with Defra and in Parliament.

A national collection

Brighton & Hove’s trees are wonderful and the National Elm Collection unique.

The collection includes the oldest elm in the world and many trees which are the only ones of their kind.

We need to celebrate the city’s trees for themselves, for their beauty and the many benefits they provide for us all.

You can do your bit and become a tree champion by taking simple steps to protect our city’s elms and make sure they thrive.

And remember, do not buy elm logs this winter!

Reporting suspected elm

If you have a log pile you think might include elm, or are worried about what’s being delivered, please contact elmdisease@brighton-hove.gov.uk and arrange for it to be inspected. If your logs need to be destroyed, you will be reimbursed.