Glasgow's local authority says it could cost almost £40million to rid the city of thousands of diseased trees that will need to be felled.

More than 30,000 ash trees on Glasgow City Council land are at risk due to the rise of the Ash dieback disease which is affecting trees across the UK.

Councillors on Glasgow City Council's environment, sustainability and carbon reduction policy committee yesterday heard the extent of the problem for the first the time and while they were given an assessment of what action the authority can take, there was concern that hundreds of householders could be left facing hefty bills to try to remove diseased trees from their properties.

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In a report to the committee, it was revealed around 12% of trees on public land in Glasgow are ash trees and 35,000 of them are thought to be at high risk of the disease.

The areas in Glasgow where ash trees are big enough to cause harm are in places that members of the public use regularly. The council said the areas are highways and street trees in school or social work grounds.

The Herald: More than 30,000 ash trees may have to be felled due to diseaseMore than 30,000 ash trees may have to be felled due to disease

The report added the council is now looking at cutting down 31,000 trees to tackle the problem. The cost of felling and removing the trees could be anywhere between £25 million to £38million over the next seven years and it was suggested that contact is made with the Scottish Government to help with costs.

Ash dieback is caused by a fungus and is thought to be the biggest issue affecting trees since Dutch elm disease led to the loss of millions across the UK in the 1970s and 1980s.

It costs between £800 to £1200 to fell a tree with the total cost of the programme estimated to be as much as £38 million.

George Gillespie, executive director of neighbourhoods at Glasgow City Council, said: “Clearly these are huge sums and the expectation, although unconfirmed at the moment, is there will be a level of government support to address this country-wide issue.”

While there are 125,000 ash trees in parks and on streets that the council is responsible for, there are around the same number on private land including in people’s gardens. There could potentially be another 30,000 on private land would need to be cut down.

Council officer Stephen Egan said the risk from the disease is seen as this emerging as the biggest challenge to parks and green spaces for decades.

The Herald: Trees on council land are at risk as well as those in private areasTrees on council land are at risk as well as those in private areas

Committee chairman Councillor Angus Millar said it was extremely concerning in terms of the implications for Glasgow and the impact likely to be seen, he said: "Bringing this at this point to make us aware of the challenge  and that this is something that will take considerable work in the coming decade.

"While there isn't a fully fleshed out action plan at this stage, it is welcome that we now have site of this as a committee."

Councillor Allan Gow said he was astonished by the report and he said there was a clear message that was needed to get out particularly in relation to private owners and gardens. He asked if there was an intention to develop a communication strategy.

The council said that it was part of the project plan to advise private householders on what action could be taken.