The Forestry Commission has felled Japanese larches infected with the “sudden oak death” disease in order to minimise the risk of the infection spreading further.
Three sites in the south-west were felled ahead of spring bud-burst, while two further sites in private ownership have also been cut.
The action follows a change in dynamics of the disease – phytophthora ramorum – in spreading from rhododendron host plants to Japanese larches.
“But we’re only in the early stages of understanding the change in the dynamics of this disease and the full extent of its spread – ongoing vigilance and co-operation of private owners is vital in tackling this new threat to our trees,” said Paul Hill-Tout, director of Forestry Commission England.
The Commission is also extending its disease monitoring programme using remote sensing and air survey techniques and putting biosecurity measures around infected sites.
Sudden oak death has seriously affected oak trees in the US, but only a small number of sessile oak have so far been found to be susceptible in the UK. Single examples of western hemlock and Lawson’s cypress have also been found with the infection, when growing near Japanese larch.
