Dutch Elm Disease Strikes Eastbourne! Tree surgeons yanked out a diseased elm outside the Eastbourne Heritage Centre yesterday afternoon (January 23). The tree, infected with Dutch Elm Disease, stood opposite the popular local spot, Favaloso food and ice cream parlour.
Council on High Alert
East Sussex County Council, responsible for fighting this deadly tree blight, is now inspecting a second suspect tree. The threat isn’t over yet.
Elms Under Siege Since 1971
Since Dutch elm disease landed in the UK in 1971, millions of elms have died. A special control zone was set up in East Sussex in 1973 to stop the plague spreading.
Sussex: Last Stand for English Elms
East Sussex boasts the world’s only mature English elm population, according to the council. Keeping these trees healthy is now more vital than ever.
