Ash Dieback & Dangerous Tree Removal in Bishop Auckland
Ash dieback assessment and removal in Bishop Auckland and across County Durham. Diseased and dangerous ash trees assessed, felled or dismantled safely. NPTC and LANTRA qualified, £10M insured, free site visit.
Send photos of the tree, your location and a short description. We will tell you honestly whether it can stay or should come down.
What our customers say
“I was recommended Ross to cut down and trim a large conifer hedge.”
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“Will definitely be using again and recommending to others.”
- NPTC qualified
- LANTRA qualified
- £10M public liability insurance
- BS3998 standard
Ash dieback removal
Ash dieback is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. It has spread through the UK since around 2012 and is now common across County Durham. The disease starts with leaf loss and crown dieback. Over time it weakens the wood where branches join the trunk, so heavy limbs can fail without warning, even in calm weather.
Ash is a brittle tree. When limbs fail they snap rather than bend. An infected ash near a house, drive, path, road or power line is a real risk, and the risk grows as the tree declines.
We assess ash trees showing dieback, disease or decline and tell you honestly whether the tree can stay or should be removed. If you are unsure, send us photos or a short video. We work in Bishop Auckland, Crook, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe and across County Durham.
Signs an ash tree needs looking at
- Dieback in the crown
- Bare branches at the top or outer edges while the rest of the tree is in leaf. If a third or more of the crown is thin or dead, take it seriously.
- Dark lesions on the bark
- Diamond-shaped lesions where the fungus has killed the bark, often around the base of major branches or on the trunk.
- Epicormic growth
- Clusters of new shoots sprouting low on the trunk. A sign the tree is stressed.
- Withered, blackened leaves
- Leaves that stay on the tree through winter after dying back.
- Fungal fruiting bodies at the base
- Bracket fungi can mean the roots or lower trunk are failing.
None of these signs mean the tree definitely has to come down. A tree with minor crown dieback can often be kept for years with monitoring and deadwood removal. A tree with heavy dieback near a building should generally come down on a schedule you choose, rather than after a limb drops on something.
How we assess an ash tree
You can send photos or a short video by email or WhatsApp for an initial evaluation before we visit. Include the whole tree, the base, nearby buildings and the access route if it is safe to do so. Photos help us understand the job. They do not replace the site visit.
The site visit is where we confirm the method and price. We look at the tree itself, what is around it, the access, and any legal constraints. We check for Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Area restrictions before work and handle any required paperwork. The written quote sets out the work, what will be removed from site and whether stump grinding is included.
How an ash tree is removed
Where there is enough open ground, the tree can be straight felled. In most gardens and built-up areas it is dismantled in sections: a climber works from the top down, and each branch and stem section is roped and lowered under control.
- Straight felling
- Used where there is enough open ground for the tree to fall safely. A directional cut is made at the base and the tree is guided into the drop zone.
- Sectional dismantling
- Used when the tree is near buildings, boundaries, roads, overhead lines or anything else that could be hit. Slower than felling and more expensive because of the time and rigging, but it is the only safe method for most trees in built-up areas.
Our team is NPTC and LANTRA qualified, and we carry £10 million public liability insurance. We follow strict safety protocols throughout the removal and leave the site clean, with branches and sections handled appropriately and no debris left behind.
Tree preservation orders and conservation areas
Trees in Bishop Auckland and County Durham can be protected by a Tree Preservation Order or sit inside a Conservation Area. Both restrict what can be done, even to a diseased tree. There are exemptions for genuinely dead or dangerous trees, but the evidence has to stand up.
We check the TPO register and Conservation Area boundaries for every property before quoting, so you never find out mid-job that the tree is protected. If permission is needed, we handle the application and tell you the timeline before any work is booked.
Ash tree removal
We remove ash trees affected by dieback across County Durham, including Bishop Auckland, Durham, Chester-le-Street and Consett. The price depends on the size of the tree, its condition, what is around it, the access, and whether the timber and arisings are removed from site. We confirm the price in writing before work starts. No hidden costs.
Urgent tree work
If an ash tree is shedding limbs or showing signs of imminent failure, do not wait. Call us and we will prioritise the assessment.
Qualifications and cover. NPTC qualified. LANTRA qualified. £10M public liability insurance. TPO and Conservation Area checks before work, paperwork handled. Written quote before any work begins.
What customers ask
Common questions
What is ash dieback?
Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a fungal disease that arrived in the UK around 2012. It blocks the tree's water transport, causing leaf loss, crown dieback and eventually tree death. There is no cure, so management focuses on safety.
How do I know if my ash tree is dangerous?
Look for heavy crown dieback, dark lesions on the bark, epicormic shoots low on the trunk, and fungal brackets at the base. The biggest risk is branches failing without warning. If a third or more of the crown is dead, or the tree is near a building, road or path, get it assessed.
Is it a legal requirement to remove an ash tree with dieback?
No, unless the tree poses a risk. Landowners have a duty of care to prevent harm, so a diseased ash near a road, building or public area usually needs action. TPO and Conservation Area rules still apply to a diseased tree, though there are exemptions for genuinely dead or dangerous trees.
How much does ash dieback removal cost?
It depends on tree size, condition, what is around it and access. A tree near a building needs sectional dismantling, which costs more than a straight fell. We give a written quote after a free site visit.
Can an ash tree with dieback be saved?
Some ash trees show partial resistance and can survive with monitoring and deadwood removal. We tell you honestly whether the tree can stay, be reduced, or should come down. We do not remove trees that can reasonably be retained.
Do I need permission to remove a protected ash tree?
If the tree has a TPO or is in a Conservation Area, yes in most cases. We check the register and boundaries before quoting and handle the paperwork for you.
Got an ash tree you are worried about?
Send photos of the tree, your location and a short description. We will tell you honestly whether it can stay or should come down.