Community effort to clear fallen tree infected with ash dieback in Rhandirmwyn

The tree - one of the biggest ash trees in Rhandirmwyn - blocked the road near the Towy Bridge Inn.

Local resident William Theophilus said: "The dangers of ash dieback was graphically brought home when one of the biggest ash trees in Rhandirmwyn came crashing down on our ground.

"Many volunteers came with tele-handlers, chainsaws a tractor and trailers and the road was reopened in under three hours.

"Mercifully, no one was hurt and no damage sustained to surrounding properties."

Ash dieback is a fungal disease which is affecting all species of ash trees across Carmarthenshire, as well as the rest of the country.

One of Rhandirmwyn's biggest ash trees came crashing down in high winds Picture: William Theophilus

A Europe-wide problem, the fungus attaches itself to the leaves of ash trees and spreads through to the branches, causing the tree to die. Dead branches and entire dead trees can become very brittle and fall, posing a serious risk to the public.

Symptoms of the disease are usually first apparent in the crown of the tree, with leaves turning black and falling in late summer rather than autumn, there can also be visible lesions above and below the point where the branches join the trunk of the tree.

Ash dieback is a serious issue for councils and landowners across the UK; it is estimated 90 per cent of ash trees could die from this disease with currently no known treatment.