The Forestry Fee has at this time (Thursday, April 14) launched new measures to fight the unfold of the tree illness Phytophthora pluvialis, following additional findings in areas throughout England.

The brand new measures embrace:

  • Extensions to present demarcated areas in Devon and Cornwall, following additional identifications of the pathogen in these areas;
  • A brand new demarcated space in Surrey, following the identification of the pathogen in woodlands on this space;
  • A brand new demarcated space in Gloucestershire, following additional findings alongside the border with Wales.

These notices will all come into power subsequent Thursday, April 21.

The fee can also be urging woodland managers, landowners and the forestry trade to stay vigilant for indicators of the illness.

Nicola Spence, the UK’s chief plant well being officer, mentioned:

“We’re taking sturdy and swift motion towards the findings of Phytophthora pluvialis at these websites, as a part of our well-established biosecurity protocol for tree pests and ailments.

“I urge all sectors to help efforts to deal with this pathogen by checking the well being of western hemlock and Douglas-fir bushes.

“Key signs to look out for are lesions on the stem, department or roots. Any sightings needs to be reported to the Forestry Fee through its TreeAlert on-line portal.

Phytophthora pluvialis

The fungal-like pathogen is understood to have an effect on a wide range of tree species, together with western hemlock, Douglas fir and several other pine species.

The illness was initially reported within the US (Oregon) in 2013 and in New Zealand in 2014, the place it was reported to have brought about needle solid – the place needles flip brown and fall off – in addition to shoot dieback and lesions on the stem, branches and roots.

In September, Phytophthora pluvialis was found in a woodland in Cornwall, England, affecting mature western hemlock and Douglas-fir bushes. Additional outbreaks have since been present in England, Scotland and Wales.

Nevertheless, the illness has by no means been detected in Europe earlier than this yr, so analysis is ongoing to know if different probably inclined species might develop into impacted.