Ash dieback (Chalara)
Ash dieback disease is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, (formerly known as Chalara). It has the potential to kill 95% of Cumbria’s ash trees over the next 20 years.
For more information about the disease and how to spot it, please go to the Woodland Trust website.
If your land has Ash Dieback, please visit A Farmer's Guide to Ash Dieback for more information.
Roadside trees
Trees improve the environment and provide an excellent habitat for wildlife. However, landowners have an obligation under the Highways Act 1980 to ensure that the trees on their land do not endanger highway users.
Landowners are responsible for growth coming from roadside hedges or which overhangs the highway from adjacent land. Trees and hedges left uncut can interfere with the safe passage of traffic and obscure signs. They can also reduce visibility along the road and at bends and junctions. Even light growth, such as brambles, can cause pedestrians and cyclists to move nearer to the centre of the road. In addition, the increased size and height of agricultural machinery and articulated lorries will require attention to overhanging trees and hedgerows.
The Highways Act 1980 empowers the council to issue a formal notice to an adjoining landowner requiring cutting or lopping of the hedge or branches where any growth is an interference with the safe use of the highway. If landowners do not do the work within the specified time, the council may then complete the work themselves and recover all reasonable costs.
Generally, landowners must not cut or trim any hedgerow on their farm between 1 March and 31 July (inclusive), as this is the main breeding season for birds. If bird nesting continues beyond this period, trimming is still prohibited unless it is essential for safety purposes.
We recommend that landowners:
- Carry out regular checks of trees on their land that might fall onto the highway and arrange for any necessary tree surgery work.
- Ensure that trees overhanging the highway don’t cause an obstruction to the normal passage of vehicles.
- Plant trees in hedgerows where they won’t be a danger to road users.
- Remember that landowners might need permission to lop a tree covered by a tree preservation order or if it is in a conservation area.
The legislation specifies the minimum clearance of an overhanging tree is 5.0 metres (16 ft and 6 inches) over the metalled surface of the highway.
Damage to drainage systems
If, when doing hedge works, the drainage channels from the roadside to the main ditch are damaged by tractor wheels they should be re-opened. These channels are known as grips. Similarly, if grips or ditches look likely to become blocked from the cuttings they should be cleared.
Barn owls
Barn owls have suffered a serious population reduction since the 1930s. They can be helped by allowing some roadside hedges to grow taller when it is safe to do so. This will encourage the owls to fly higher and reduce the risk of being hit by vehicles.
Cutting of grass verges by farmers
Cumberland Council maintains the roadside verges in an environmentally conscious manner, to ensure that the wild flora and fauna are protected. Sections of verge containing unusual or protected species are designated as ‘special’. Cumberland Council can advise on this. There is no objection to farmers cutting grass verges, but please kindly inform Cumberland Council of your plans, and subject to the following conditions stipulated by the council:
- Protect the safety of the travelling public, and use appropriate signage.
- Safeguard the flora and fauna and ensure that sections of the verge designated as ‘special’ are retained in good condition.
This is best achieved by the following guidelines:
- Do not apply herbicides.
- Do not apply inorganic fertiliser or slurry.
- Time the cutting of grass to allow wildflowers to set seed.
- Grass cut for silage should be wilted and turned.