Further UK outbreaks of the sudden oak death disease have been reported by the Forestry Commision.
The disease, phytophthora ramorum, has affected Japanese larch on sites in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Western hemlock and some broadleaf species (beech, birch and some oaks) growing in the same areas have also been affected.
The Forestry Commission said it was very concerned about the latest find, which “could represent a significant step change” in the susceptibility of UK trees to the disease.
“We are working extremely hard to learn as much as we can, as quickly as we can,” said Roddie Burgess, head of the Forestry Commission plant health service.
Earlier this year Defra announced a £25m fund for research, development and further disease control measures.
Money is being spent removing and destroying rhododendrons from the most at-risk sites across England. The disease, which has caused extensive oak damage in the US, is often associated with rhododendron stands.
