New technology is being used to tackle the spread of elm disease across Brighton & Hove.
The city council’s Arboriculture Team has begun using a drone to help survey the city’s elm trees.
Operated by a qualified and licensed pilot throughout the summer, the drone is giving the team a unique, birds-eye view of the trees, helping them to spot signs of the disease.
It also means they can cover hard to reach areas or land that’s not easily accessible, such as woodland or land near railway lines, and provides a cost-effective way of helping the council to manage any possible spread.
By removing infected trees quicker, the council can prevent a wider outbreak.
The drone’s pilot can take pictures of the infected trees with all images deleted after four weeks. The drone’s also operated under strict data protection guidelines.
Peter Small, Arboriculture Manager said:
“The drone has been a great addition to the team and is helping us cover those hard-to-reach areas of the city.
“Elm disease symptoms start to show in early June with wilting, browning or yellowing of parts of the foliage. The drone means we can spot these symptoms from above and cover large areas in a shorter space of time.
'We have thousands of elms in Brighton & Hove, both council and privately owned. Spotting diseased trees earlier means we can act quickly to protect as many of them as we can.”
How you can help
If you suspect an elm tree is diseased, send an email to elmdisease@brighton-hove.gov.uk. Include a photograph of the tree, a close up of the symptoms and a location including street name, building, house number/name or park with approximate location.
The council will then take immediate action to inspect the tree, and if infected, remove it and stop the disease spreading.
Chichester And Arundel Outdoor Art Trail To Raise Funds For Children's Hospice
Crawley Polling Station Moved After Migrants Refuse To Leave Temporary Rest Centre
Appeal For Information After Boy Asssaulted In Brighton
NHS Issues Measles Warning As Cases Rise In South East
Brighton Primary Heads Walk Out Of Meeting With Senior Council Officers
Council "Neglecting" Brighton's Old Steine Says Community Leader
Crawley Council Warns 'No More Resources' To Help Chagos Migrants
East Sussex County Council To Pay £1k In Compensation For Delay In Support For Autistic Pupil
Sussex PCC Warns 'Talking Down' The Force Could Make It Harder To Recruit
Police Investigating Attempted Motorbike Robbery In Goring