Tree Safety Work on Banstead Commons
February 2026
Managing Ash Dieback on Banstead Commons
Ash dieback is a serious fungal disease that is killing ash trees across Europe.
Over the past five years, Banstead Commons Conservators have been steadily removing the worst affected trees on our sites but now the disease has taken hold, and we are going to commence forestry work for the safety of our visitors and neighbours.
All Ash trees with significant decline that are next to boundaries, highways and footpaths on all four of our sites will be removed over a five-year period. This important tree safety work is being managed in partnership with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, who are the landowners of Banstead Commons.
We appreciate the scale of the tree safety work being carried out may look concerning, please be assured that it has been carefully planned with consent from the Forestry Commission.
We are only removing ash trees where necessary. Infected trees nestled within our woodlands and out of falling distance of footpaths and properties and those showing the most significant signs of resistance to the disease are being retained and monitored.
The works will start in February 2026 and are taking place outside of bird nesting season. Most of the timber will be left on site to provide valuable deadwood habitat for saproxylic insects and amphibians.
Thank you in advance for your support and understanding. We hope this reassures you that our management decisions are centred on the best practice to manage the impact of Ash dieback balanced with the long-term interests of our habitats, and the people and wildlife that depend upon them.
Our sites will remain open throughout the duration of the works but some footpaths will be closed or diverted with signs and barriers to maintain safety while the works are taking place. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
For more information on the impacts of Ash dieback and the land managers responsibilities, please visit the following useful websites: