The impact of ash dieback in Devon, and the work of communities to replace lost trees, is the subject of an online photo exhibition, launched today (Monday, April 26).

It's been estimated that Devon will lose 90 per cent of its 1.9 million ash trees to the deadly fungal disease, but the Saving Devon's Treescape project aims to replace them.

The exhibition is the work of photographic artist Robert Darch, and has been commissioned by the Devon Wildlife Trust and Beaford Arts.

It comprises 122 images of urban and rural landscapes, and includes dramatic pictures of mature ash trees – some several hundreds of years old – being felled after succumbing to the disease.

But it also shows how local residents have worked with Devon Wildlife Trust to plant other native species such as oaks, rowans and crab apples to replace the lost ash trees.

The exhibition is titled 'aesc' – the Old English word for ash tree.

Replanting work is 'really inspiring'

The photographer, Robert Darch, is an associate lecturer in photography at the University of Plymouth. His work has been featured in publications including The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Sunday Times.

He said: "I had heard of ash dieback before working on this project, but had in no way comprehended the scale and amount of trees that will be affected.

"It has been a really difficult year, working in the shadow of Covid and witnessing so many ash trees being felled, but seeing the work being done by Devon Wildlife Trust in very difficult times replanting native species has been really inspiring.

"It has been an honour and privilege to be making work for the Beaford archive, which is an invaluable record of time and place in Devon."

Devon Wildlife Trust's Rosie Cotgreave is co-ordinating the Saving Devon's Treescapes project.

She said: "Ash trees have such a big cultural significance in our landscapes and so it's vital that we capture this moment in time through Robert's art.

"His work shares the devasting impact that ash dieback is having on our landscape, but it also ends with signs of hope.

"Communities, landowners, schools and businesses have all come together to ensure that we will have a diverse and thriving treescape for years to come.

"Through the project, more than 10,000 trees have been planted over the last year, with plans to plant and nurture 250,000 trees by the year 2025. Ash Dieback will affect everyone, but the Saving Devon's Treescape project ensures everyone can be part of the solution."

The æsc exhibition can be seen on Robert Darch's website.

Individuals, community groups, businesses and schools looking to take part in the Saving Devon Treescapes project can contact Rosie Cotgreave by email at [email protected]

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