THERE are concerns over the future of ash trees in Ireland following a warning that an emerald ash borer beetle could kill them.
A new study has found that the beetle is "potentially far more serious than ash dieback".
While the adult beetle, which feeds on ash leaves, does little damage, its larvae bores under the bark and into the wood, killing the tree.
The beetle, Agrilus planipennis, is currently moving slowly eastwards across Europe after it was found in North America in 2002.
Leading British researcher Dr Peter Thomas from the University of Keele in Staffordshire said the loss of ash trees will have a major impact.
"Over a hundred species of lichens, fungi and insects are dependent upon the ash tree and are likely to decline or become extinct if the ash was gone," he said.
In the largest survey ever undertaken on the threats to ash trees, published by the Journal of Ecology, Dr Thomas warned that up to 95 per cent of them could be lost in coming years.
Figures show that trees in Ireland are also facing significant damage by ash 'dieback' with around 24 of the Republic's 26 counties affected.
Cases have been recorded in native hedgerows in 12 counties and in roadside/motorway planting in 13 counties, while 115 forest plantations in 19 counties have also been hit.
