The ash tree is not known only as the mythical tree Yggdrasil in Norse mythology. It”s wood is used for furniture, parquet and tools and the ash tree is an important factor for reforestation. But the ash tree is threatened to extinction. The ash die-back is caused by a fungus (Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus), causing a large-scale death of old growth and young trees in all parts of Germany.
This eco-sociological study is asking whether the discrepancy between the social, economic and ecological importance of these trees and their possible loss leads to social discussions on the ash tree and the ash die-back.
With the Sociology of knowledge approach to discourse and the Grounded Theory Method it is shown that although experts agree that the ash will probably die out, their social significance is not great enough that their extinction is considered sufficiently problematic and hence political consequences or actions are demanded.