Cleethorpes trees infected with Dutch Elm Disease to be removed

Following an inspection by the trees and woodlands officers, it has been confirmed that a number of the trees in Cleethorpes are in a state of decline due to the presence of Dutch Elm Disease

The disease is one of the most serious tree diseases in the world..

Dutch Elm Disease was first introduced in Britain in the 1920s, killing 10 to 40 percent of all elm trees.

It then returned in the 1960s when a more aggressive species of the fungus was accidentally introduced.

Currently, there are 15 trees which have the disease along the boundary of Kings Road and the Lakeside car park.

Due to the extent of the infection, 8 of them have already been recommended for removal which is expected to take place over the coming weeks and months. The other 45 trees in the zone will continue to be monitored and actioned accordingly.

The Council are looking to remove those clearly infected and replace them with suitable replacements for the local environment.

Removing these trees will  help to prevent the spread of the infection.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport said: “It’s a terrible shame that these trees have become infected with Dutch Elm Disease.

“However, to prevent the problem from spreading and affecting more trees, the Council has no choice but to remove those that are clearly infected.

“As a Council committed to the local environment, we will ensure to do all we can to secure the sustainability of our local trees and replant any that are lost as a result of this work.”