News Acute Oak Decline
Wales, central and southern England most affected areas
ACUTE Oak Decline has been found affecting hundreds of trees across central and south- east England and parts of Wales. Symptoms include dark fluid bleeding from splits in the bark on tree trunks and, as affected trees approach death, there is a notable deterioration of the canopy, or tree tops, and ‘dieback’ of the branches. The condition can kill a tree in as little as four or five years.
Scientists from Forest Research, the scientific research arm of the Forestry Commission, have discovered a previously unknown bacterium which they believe is playing a key role. They are continuing investigations to obtain a better understanding of the disease, how it spreads, and what other factors might be involved. This information will form the basis of appropriate management strategies.
Meanwhile, in response to increasing public concern, they have written a guide, entitled ‘Managing Acute Oak Decline’, which gives advice, based on
the knowledge they have gained so far, on how to recognise the disease, what to do about it, and how to minimise the risk of spreading it.
The guide stresses the importance of monitoring the progress of the disease, of limiting access to infected trees, and of disinfecting boots, vehicle wheels, machinery and equipment to help prevent its spread. If an infected tree is to be used for timber, the guide recommends the bark and sapwood be removed and burnt on site, and the logs cut into planks on site before being removed. Planks can be kiln dried at high temperatures to kill any remaining bacteria. It is unknown whether the disease affects timber quality, so caution is advised when deciding how the timber will be used.
The guide also advises against using acorns from infected sites when planting new oak trees, and explains how to report suspected cases to
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Affected trees are
characterised by symptoms of extensive stem bleeding evident as dark weeping patches
Forest Research’s Disease Diagnostic & Advisory Service.
The Forestry Commission is urging everyone who looks after oak trees to be vigilant and follow the advice in the guide, which is written by Dr Sandra Denman, Susan Kirk and Dr Joan Webber of Forest Research.
Further information about the disease, its symptoms and spread, and images, are available on the Forest Research website at
www.forestry.gov.uk
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor,
I would like to point out that the article entitled “How to solve a growing problem” and written by Manda Sampson of Monsanto UK Limited that appeared in your April/May 2012 issue of Pitchcare (pp 142 to 143) contained some statements that are factually inaccurate.
In discussing the chemical treatment of tree stumps to prevent re-growth the article states that the herbicide triclopyr is not “currently legally approved”. This statement is incorrect as the herbicide TIMBREL™, marketed by Dow AgroSciences Limited, is based on the active substance triclopyr and is fully approved by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive. The TIMBREL™ label specifically states that the product can be used as a forestry herbicide for cut stump applications. TIMBREL™ is widely available for purchase in the UK.
The article goes on to state that triclopyr has “environmental or operator exposure issues”. However, as TIMBREL™ has been approved by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate it is, as with all herbicides that are registered, deemed safe to use when used as directed by the product label.
Dow AgroSciences Ltd
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