TreeSurgery.com

When Sir Paul McCartney planted hundredsof trees in remembrance of his late wife in Somerset, it was hoped that they would grow to be a living and lasting memorial. Now, all the larch trees in Linda’s Wood have had to be chopped downbecause of the deadly disease, sudden oak death.

Sudden Oak death, or its Latin name, Phytophthora ramorum, was first reported in California in 1995. In 2009 it was noticed to be affecting large numbers of larchtrees in the South West of England.  The disease knows no boundaries andis thought to be spread primarily either through extreme weather events or thetransfer of infected plant material.

More recently, the Forestry Commission has confirmed a new outbreak of the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum,in the larch trees in the glorious gardens of Arduaine in Argyll.

At TreeSurgery.com, we want to raise awareness of the threat posed by Sudden Oak Death by informing tree surgeons and tree owners on what to look for and what to do if you think a tree has it.

What to Look for?

Trunks: Look for the presence of darkread to black sap oozing  from the trunk: 'bleeding cankers’ or ‘tarry spots’, particularly on the lower portion of the trunk. When the outer bark is removed, look for diseased, dead and discoloured areas. 

Leaves / Foliage:

The disease caused by the dark sap willresult in the rapid death of the tree. As a result, the foliage will change colour rapidly and uniformly throughout the crown. Such is the speed of the death of the tree; the withered leaves often remain on the branches.

Who do you contact if you suspect Sudden Oak Death:

Scotland– ddas.nrs@forestry.gsi.gov. uk; tel: 0131 445 2176

England– plant_health_england@forestry.gsi.gov.uk; tel: 01173 721 070

Wales– hww_ts@forestry.gsi.gov.uk; tel: 0300 068 0300

Further information on Sudden OakDeath can be found on the Forestry Commission website: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum