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A plant disease caused by a fungus-like
pathogen known as Phytophthora ramorum (P.ramorum),
has been diagnosed on Japanese larch for the first time in
Northern Ireland.
DARD Forest Service Chief Executive, David Small, has confirmed
three outbreaks of the disease in woodlands on the Antrim
plateau. Around 200 hectares of public forest estate and a
further four hectares of private woodland are affected.
The pathogen P. ramorum has potential to attack a
wide range of woody plants and could cause significant damage
to woodland and other habitats. It can be spread from footwear,
vehicle wheels, tools and machinery, by the movement of infected
plants and in rain, mists and air currents. The disease has
also been recently confirmed in Japanese larch woodland in
England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Forest Service Chief Executive David Small explained - “This
is the first time the disease has been confirmed on Japanese
larch in Northern Ireland. It is important that DARD does
everything it can to minimise the risk of the disease becoming
established in our woodlands as it has the potential to cause
significant damage to larch trees and the wider environment.
“The Department has taken appropriate steps to contain these
outbreaks and based on scientific advice, infected Japanese
larch on both public and private land will be felled. This
is the best method for controlling this disease and preventing
further damage. Bio-security precautions will also be put
in place to prevent the further spread of the disease.
"Forest visitors are asked to observe any signage indicating
the action they can take to help prevent spread of the disease
- such as keeping to forest roads, keeping dogs on leads and
removing soil and mud from shoes and boots before leaving
the woodland”.
Mr Small added - “I would urge all woodland owners and managers
to remain vigilant for symptoms of the disease in Japanese
larch and report suspicious symptoms to Forest Service.”
The first indication of the disease on Japanese larch trees
is a visible wilting of young shoots and foliage, or later
in the growing season, withered shoot tips with yellowing
needles which then become blackened. The infected shoots shed
their needles prematurely. Trees may also have bleeding cankers
on their upper trunks.
Forest Service can be contacted on telephone number 028 9052
4480.
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