AN AMATEUR naturalist is raising concern about the health of a large number of trees in the Solent area.

Retired broadcaster John Monfort lives in leafy Locks Heath, but is worried about a leaf blight which threatens to turn many gardens and verges into tree graveyards.

Common species of trees are already looking sad, before the full onset of autumn.

Some trees have already died and others could die if the leaf disease spreads to the main branches and trunk before they shut down for winter.

Mr Monfort, of Heath Road, said: "This area is exceptionally well populated with trees and it makes a lovely scene during the autumn, but the leaves with this blight are not the lovely oranges and russet browns of autumn.

"The disease gives the leaves dark brown blotches which cause the leaves to droop long before they fall off. In some cases, where the disease has struck early in the summer, the trees have died.

"Some trees have the leaf disease, but are shutting down for the winter and therefore, could have a lucky escape.

"We shall only know the full extent of the damage in the spring. I and other people would like to know what causes this and if anything can be done.''

He predicted many householders and local authorities could face large bills to pay for tree surgeons to remove dead trees in the spring, if the disease spreads further. He noted horse chestnut and wild cherry were the worst affected.

Fareham Council tree expert Phillip May said there were more tree diseases this year because a succession of mild winters encouraged diseases to spread instead of dying in the cold.

He said: "Cherry wilt affects wild cherry and old trees infect new leaves. Then there's horse chestnut seale, which is spreading to other species now via a little bug in a fluffy cocoon.

He said there would not be any wholesale death of trees.

"But it is encouraging that people are taking note of the health of their trees,'' he added.