13 December 2024

Research Update: Safeguarding Ireland’s ash trees

Ricardo Pimenta, Postdoctoral Researcher, and Dheeraj Rathore, Tree Improvement Research Officer, discuss their work on the newly launched AshforFuture project.

On November 1, the AshforFuture project was launched by Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, at Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre in Dublin. She described the project as “a critical step” in addressing the challenges posed by ash dieback.

This ambitious research initiative, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), aims to preserve and revive ash trees, which have been severely affected by ash dieback.

This four-year project involves a multidisciplinary team from Teagasc, University College Dublin (UCD), the DAFM, and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). It also engages key stakeholders, including None-So-Hardy, Coillte, the Office of Public Works, Woodlands of Ireland, the Native Woodland Trust, and the Forest Genetic Resources Trust.

The AshforFuture project emphasises the importance of partnerships across sectors and regions. Teagasc Director, Frank O’Mara highlighted the collaborative model as a key to success, stating: “The approach of AshforFuture exemplifies how research partnerships can address real-world challenges. This initiative is vital for developing sustainable solutions to protect our forests and biodiversity.”

Tackling ash dieback

Ash dieback, caused by the invasive fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, has far-reaching consequences for Ireland’s forestry sector. The AshforFuture project has four interconnected work packages:

1. AshComm: this focuses on improving communication among stakeholders. Efforts include the creation of the ‘Report a Healthy Ash Tree’ website, which encourages the public to identify and report potentially tolerant ash trees.
2. AshGen: the genetic component of the project aims to identify and propagate disease-tolerant ash trees using advanced genomic tools.
3. AshPath: researchers in this package will investigate the genetic and phenotypic variability of fraxineus in Ireland.
4. AshSilva: this explores sustainable silvicultural systems to support natural regeneration and resilience in mixed-species forests. Field trials will assess the impact of planting diverse species alongside ash.

Join the effort

The success of AshforFuture will be driven by continued engagement with stakeholders and the public. Those interested in contributing can visit the Report a Healthy Ash Tree webpage to learn how to identify and report tolerant ash trees.

AshforFuture aims to restore ash trees to Ireland’s landscapes, while promoting biodiversity and sustainable forestry practices. The project also seeks to set a precedent for managing similar challenges in other countries affected by ash dieback.

For more information about AshforFuture and Report a Healthy Ash Tree, click here.

The above article first appeared in the December 2025 Teagasc Forestry Advisory newsletter, which was edited by Frances McHugh, Forestry Development Officer at Teagasc.

View the full Teagasc Forestry Advisory newsletter here.