The disease mainly affects Corsican pine, although more than 60 pine species, including lodgepole pine, are susceptible to infection. The resultant defoliation gradually weakens the tree, eventually killing it, and reduces timber yields.
Stephen Smith, assistant operations manager for FC England, said: “The effects of RBNB on timber quality have yet to be established, but heavily infected trees may have reduced growth rates and hence closer-spaced growth rings.”
FC inspections have found the disease in 70% of its 34,000ha of Corsican pine forests in the UK, with East Anglia the worst affected.
Plant movement controls are in place but there are no restrictions on logs, sawn wood, cut trees, branches, foliage or seeds.
“We do not believe there is a serious threat to the industry as a whole,” said Mr Smith. “Corsican pine logs will continue to come to market for many years.”
