Stowmarket tree removed from Recreation Ground after contracting fungal disease

A sycamore tree has been removed from a popular park after showing signs of a fungal disease called Sooty Bark.

The tree was in The Recreation Ground, Stowmarket, and Stowmarket Town Council posted on Twitter to say it had to be removed due to its ‘rapidly deteriorating condition’.

Sooty Bark is a fungal disease that shows itself after prolonged hot weather and creates dark grey masses of ‘soot’ beneath the bark - eventually causing the tree to die.

Most diseased trees cannot be saved and must be removed according to Elite Tree Services East Anglia.

The town council will be doing a tree survey on the estate as other trees are showing signs of the disease.

As part of Stowmarket Town Eco-Trees Project, the council will plant six new mature trees at the Recreation Ground in December during the Community Tree Planting Day.