North Yorkshire estate seeks permission to fell diseased sycamore

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 17:08 · Archive

The Fitzwilliam Malton Estate has applied to remove a sycamore tree suffering from Sooty Bark Disease.

The Fitzwilliam Malton Estate has applied to North Yorkshire Council to cut down a sycamore tree at Old Maltongate. The tree has been identified as suffering from Sooty Bark Disease, a fungal infection that primarily affects sycamore trees.

Sooty Bark Disease has been present in the UK for many years, but prolonged hot, dry weather can trigger its development in already stressed trees. Infected trees display wilting, crown dieback and peeling bark, which exposes distinctive black, soot-like fungal spores. The disease can lead to the death of the infected tree, and the spores pose a respiratory health risk to humans.

The Fitzwilliam Malton Estate, which manages more than 250 individual trees within Malton, said the tree had been cared for with help from tree surgeon David Bayes. The estate said the removal is necessary to protect public safety and minimise the spread of disease to protect both communities and the wider landscape. Managing such diseases requires regular monitoring of trees, particularly after drought, and specialist assessment to determine the appropriate course of action.

How it is being reported

• Application to remove 'much-loved' tree in North Yorkshire townAN application has been made to remove a much-loved tree in a North Yorkshire town.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 21 Oct, 16:20
• Application to remove 'much-loved' tree in North Yorkshire townAN application has been made to remove a much-loved tree in a North Yorkshire town.The Press (York) · 21 Oct, 16:20

In this story: Fitzwilliam Malton Estate · North Yorkshire Council · Malton · David Bayes

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem