Ash trees to be felled at popular Fife woodland

Ash trees at a Fife beauty spot are to be felled to prevent the spread of a disease.

The trees at Formonthills Wood at Glenrothes are suffering from ash dieback disease which will ultimately kill them.

The Woodland Trust, which runs the site, said there was a danger that entire trees might fall down, or branches might snap off, if they remain.

It is not yet clear how many trees will need to come down, but the trust has apologised for any inconvenience over the next couple of months.

Site manager Jill Aitken said: “Those next to paths and boundaries with houses and roads will need to be felled for safety reasons.

“The trees have been marked with red dots.

“Some paths will need to be closed while work is underway, but there are plenty of other paths to explore.”

The wood will remain open, but visitors fare urged to follow the signs for instructions and detours.

Work is expected to take place over the rest of August and September, and possibly into October.

There is no cure for ash dieback but it is hoped resistant trees can be identified nationally and future stocks of ash can be bred from these.