Protecting the future of our woodlands

Tackling Ash Dieback this winter

This autumn and winter, we will continue important work to care for and restore woodlands across our Countryside sites. The work will help keep visitors safe while supporting wildlife and healthier woodlands for the future.

Surrey is England's most wooded county, but many of its ash trees have been affected by ash dieback, a disease that is now widespread across the UK. The disease weakens trees over time, making them less stable and potentially unsafe. Current evidence suggests that around 50 to 80% of the UK's ash trees could eventually be lost to the disease.

What works will be carried out?

After successful work in recent years, we will continue to make unsafe ash trees safe in busy areas such as roads, footpaths, trails, car parks and popular places to visit.

Where it is safe to do so, trees may be left to die naturally. Dead and dying trees can provide valuable habitat for wildlife and play an important role in supporting biodiversity.

The work has been carefully planned with advice from arboricultural and ecological experts.

This includes:

• carrying out wildlife surveys where needed
• keeping deadwood habitats

This will encourage regrowth, so native tree species can be planted if needed.

When is this taking place?

Work is due to take place between September 2026 and February 2027, outside the main bird nesting season. Timber will usually be processed and left where it can continue to benefit woodland habitats, a small amount may be removed.

Where will the work take place?

This year's work will take place at several Surrey countryside sites, including;

• Brockham Hills
• Chinthurst Hill
• Norbury Park
• Shere Woodlands

Visitors may see forestry machinery and temporary path diversions and are asked to follow onsite diversions.

Alongside these essential safety works, we remain committed to improving woodland habitats and increasing tree cover across the county by supporting the planting of 1.2 million trees by 2030.

Woodland restoration, natural regrowth and new tree planting will help create diverse habitats and healthier, more resilient landscapes for future generations.

Keep up to date on Ash dieback

• Visit our Ash Dieback web pages
• Take a look at notices at our countryside sites
• Follow our Explore Surrey Facebook, Instagram social media channels and subscribe to our Countryside Matters newsletter.

Further information about ash dieback disease can be found on the forestry commission website.