A number of new pests and disease have been identified as affecting UK trees in the past few years, with more on the horizon. Most people will have spotted the defoliation caused by leaf miner moth on our horse chestnut trees. Various species of bleeding canker have also been reported affecting horse chestnut, oak, lawson cypress and larch. This can cause dieback of the foliage and eventual death of the trees depending on the strain infecting the tree. The Forestry Commission have been actively felling affected trees in the south west to prevent the spread which seems to be preventing widespread further infection.
A new potential threat is the potential arrival of the pine processionary moth. This is moving up from its usual home in southern europe with one theory on its migration being linked to global warming. If it arrives in the UK it could devastate the countries pine population. The hairs on the caterpillars body are extremely irritant. The oak processionary moth has already made it to the UK, and is the subject of a control operation. It is harmful to humans rather trees, with its hairs causing extreme irritation which can lead to hospitalisation in some cases.
Further information on the above can be found on the Forestry Commissions website, along with contact details should you think there is an outbreak near you.
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We had our bi-annual inspection by Defra today. Passed, no worries, phew!
All Wholesale Nurseries are inspected at least twice a year by Defra (£40 per visit rising to £80 per visit next year) to not only inspect stock, but also all records of plants bought in and sold. Many more plants now require plant passports.
The main focus for the last few years has been for sudden Oak death, and it appears that their focus is pretty much on that.