Tree disease strikes in Loughinisland wood

Tree disease strikes in Loughinisland wood

22 February 2012

A MAJOR tree felling operation is currently underway at Tievenadarragh Wood near Loughinisland.

The Forest Service has confirmed it is in the process of removing diseased trees from an infected area covering an estimated 17 acres.

The operation, which commenced on January 17, was ordered after it was discovered that a significant number of trees at the popular wood were infected by Phytophthora ramorum.

The diseased trees are mostly larch, but the disease is also known to affect a number of plants, including rhododendron.

The felled trees are being stacked in huge piles at the wood, with Forestry officials confirming they will be moved under special licensing arrangements to a processor authorised to handle wood which has been affected by the disease.

“Once the wood has been processed it does not present a disease risk and can be moved and used as normal timber,” said a spokesman for the Forest Service.

“These licensing arrangements are in place to ensure that appropriate biosecurity measures are followed when moving wood from the affected forest and during processing.”

The spokesman also confirmed plans have been drawn up to replant the area in Tievenadarragh Wood where the diseased trees were discovered.

Access to the woodland remains restricted, but people who are in the area are asked to adhere to biosecurity measures detailed on signs at the forest to reduce the potential of spreading the disease.

The Forest Service spokesman said the Phytophthora ramorum disease has been discovered at a number of public forests in Northern Ireland, including at Moneyscalp Wood near Bryansford.

He said the total area affected by the disease at a number of forests last year in the Province was around 170 acres.

The spokesman added: “The felling of infected larch trees is a key control measure as this removes the living plant material on which the disease produces spores which can spread the disease. Further surveys for the disease are being planned for the spring and summer.”

Last August, a plant disease that affects Lawson cypress trees was diagnosed for the first time in Northern Ireland at Tollymore Forest Park which resulted in a major felling operation.