Tree disease phytophthora ramorum, which has affected large numbers of Japanese larches in south Wales and south-west England, has been discovered near a forest visitor centre near Aberystwyth.
Forestry Commission Wales will fell up to 60 trees infected by the disease and hope the operations will not disrupt visitors at the centre.
“Bwlch Nant yr Arian is a popular site, so it is also important that we fell infected trees before they die and become unstable, thus presenting a potential risk to visitors,”
The disease was first discovered in the UK last year in south-west Egnland. It is also known as sudden oak death for its severe impact on North American oaks, but so far UK oak has escaped unscathed, with Japanese larch as the primary species affected.
