AN English council has declared ash dieback as a serious concern.

North Tyneside Council's environment sub-committee identified the disease, a potentially fatal fungus for ash trees, as an ecological priority for the coming year.

According to the Woodland Trust, the incurable fungus, originally from Asia, has devastated ashes across Europe since it was introduced 30 years ago. It was first spotted in England in 2012, however, experts claim it could have arrived years previously.

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The Woodland Trust also claims the fungus could kill up to 80 per cent of the ash trees in the UK.

Councillor Sandra Graham, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Ash dieback continues to cause widespread decline to tree species. It is therefore important the effects of this disease are planned for and dealt with appropriately.”

Coun Graham went on to say residents can report troubling or hazardous trees on the council’s website.

Symptoms of ash dieback, also known as chalara, include:

-Dark patches on leaves in the summer

-Shrivelled, blackened leaves that may fall earlier than usual

-Dark brown and diamond-shaped legions where branches meet the trunk

-The bark beneath the legions may look a grey-brown

-Shoots emerging from under the bark of the tree, known as an epicormic growth

A study conducted by Oxford University, in conjunction with several environmental organisations, predicts the fungus could cost £15bn to mitigate. The costs arise from clearing dead or dying trees and the loss of benefits trees provide including air and water purification.

North Tyneside Council is currently responsible for 140,000 trees and plans to plant thousands more in accordance with its environmental policies.