‘Dusk V [Stump #266]’, framed monoprint, 30x35cm

‘Dusk V’ was exhibited & sold at the Derby Print Open 2024.

This is from my mini-series of Ash Dieback monoprints,
recording the ongoing decimation of our native Ash, working from the dying trees @wildingweekehil

Ash has many historical, economic and cultural values for people. The impact of ash dieback disease and other threats to this tree is triggering a resurgence of interest in the relationship between people and trees, past and present, and in the role society can play in ensuring a safer future for trees and nature.

It has particular cultural and spiritual value in areas in Devon with a Celtic influence. It is the ‘World Tree’ or ‘Tree of Life’. Ash is far more common in Devon place names than other trees like oak or elm. It is widely used as a marker when ‘beating the bounds’ [marking parish boundaries!].

The loss of ash trees will have a big impact on the capacity of Devon’s environment to support its inhabitants and economy. Unless ash trees lost to disease are replaced with other species quickly, we can expect to experience an environment that is less inspiring and attractive, and which supports less wildlife. We can also expect to pay substantially more for some key services, like removing pollutants from air and water, and reducing the risk of land and property flooding.

eg. In nearby Torbay, there are c.95,000 ash trees which together have the highest proportion of canopy cover of any tree species, at 19% of the total. Here the trees store 11,400 tonnes of CO2 worth £2.3 million. They filter out 9.5 tonnes of pollution, saving £240,000 a year on clean-up costs for air and water. Furthermore, they capture over 26,000 cubic metres of rain saving £15,000 in sewage costs every year.

c/o Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum