Buckinghamshire residents are at risk of ‘life-threatening injuries’ from falling trees, a village trust managing an outdoor space has said.

Pat and Ernie Bowles of Shepherd Lane in Hazlemere, are concerned that two ashes behind their and neighbours’ properties may fall down.

The mature trees, which are in the region of 30m high, may have been weakened by ‘disease’, according to the Grange Area Trust.

Both trees are on the edge of land, known locally as Widmer Fields, which is owned by the Trust and used extensively by the community for dog walking and outdoor activities.

The Trust has applied to Buckinghamshire Council to fell both ashes, which it says are not over a main footpath but are within the fall radius of the fences and less used rear garden entry points.

A risk report compiled by the Trust reads: “Should these trees fail then there could be damage to houses, boundary fences, garden sheds, and also a risk of potentially life-threatening injuries to people and their animals if caught under the tree at the time.”

A risk assessment in May this year and supplemental visit this month confirmed that there were patches of white fungus.

The report read: “On further examination, that there were also several areas where the bark was loose and was lifting away from the trunk.”

Beneath some of these areas of bark it appeared that wet rot and woodlice were also present.