European Ash dieback causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees. It started around 1992 in Poland and by 2010 the disease had been recorded in 22 European countries.

Many European countries have national research programs on Fraxinus dieback, focusing on numerous aspects of the biology and ecology of the disease, but the activities are scattered. Aim of the FRAXBACK action is through sharing and synthesis of available knowledge - to generate comprehensive understanding of Fraxinus dieback phenomenon, and to elaborate state of the art practical guidelines for sustainable management of Fraxinus in Europe.