On Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 September, Brighton and Hove County Council’s subcontracted tree surgeons will remove five trees on campus infected with Dutch elm disease, to help protect nearby trees.

These trees are located at the south end of campus:

• two infected trees at the Sports Centre Car Park
• three infected trees near the Sussex House Car Park

Efforts will be made to minimise disruption to staff and students, and to ensure the work takes place safely the areas around the trees will be cordoned off with cones and signage.

The trees will be removed from campus and burned at a site well away from any other elms, so that the disease is less likely to be transmitted to them.

Ashley Wilcox, Grounds Manager for SEF, said: “The diseased elms were identified during routine inspections by SEF grounds department in conjunction with Brighton and Hove County Council’s Dutch elm management programme.

“We always regret having to cut down any trees, but prompt action to deal with infected elm trees is the only way to limit the spread of this devastating fungal disease across campus.

“Dutch elm disease has killed millions of elm trees since it arrived in the UK in 1971, and our actions will help to protect other elms on campus.”

For more information on groundskeeping on campus, visit the Grounds webpages.