Phytophthora ramorum, a disease already affecting thousands of larch trees across the South West of England, South Wales, Northern Ireland and the West of Scotland has been confirmed in Wales’ largest ancient forest.
The vast majority of the 1000 hectare Wentwood Forest, near Newport, is owned by the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) and Natural Resources Wales.
The organisations will clear fell over 200 hectares of diseased larch, starting in the first week of October, but it is expected the disease will continue to spread, requiring further felling in coming months and years.
Andrew Sharkey, the trust's head of woodland management, said: "This is the most serious and devastating action we’ve had to take on our estate because of tree disease and it again highlights both the need to tackle tree disease and the importance of restoring as much of our damaged ancient woodland as possible to make it more resilient in decades to come.
"Restoration will allow native trees to establish themselves over a long period of time. Creating a resilient woodland landscape with different species of trees of different ages is the most effective natural weapon to ensure tree disease does not decimate the countryside."
Following the felling the Trust will immediately replant the wood with native broadleaf trees such as oak and cherry in the hope of preserving woodland specialist plants that only thrive when sheltered by tree canopy.
As no restocking grants are available in Wales this year this leaves the Trust facing a bill of £35,000, unlike in England where grants are available.
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