Outbreak of P. ramorum in Japanese Larch Woodland

P. ramorum is a fungus-like pathogen which can attack a wide range of trees and other plants. It was confirmed for the first time in a Japanese larch plantation on the Antrim plateau in August 2010.

In 2010, nine woodland sites in the North of Ireland were diagnosed with the disease:

Six Forest Service sites were affected. These were:

Three of the outbreak sites were in private ownership.

301 hectares in Forest Service sites and 6 hectares in private sites were felled.

As part of an ongoing surveillance programme, aerial and ground surveys were conducted in 2011 and further infection has been confirmed on larch at seven public forest sites. The sites affected are- Glenarm, Glenariff, Woodburn, Ballyboley, Tardree, Tievenadarragh (Bohill), and Moneyscalp. Of these sites five are forests where the disease was confirmed in 2010, where additional infected areas have been identified, and two are new forest sites.

The new public forest sites are Tardree located on the Antrim Plateau, and Moneyscalp Wood (part of Tollymore Forest Park).

In addition to the public sites, nine new private outbreak sites have been confirmed. Six of these are in the Antrim Plateau area in proximity to previous outbreaks, and two are in Co. Down, again in the area of existing outbreaks.

On the outbreak sites confirmed, statutory notices (private), and letters (public) have been issued requiring the felling of trees and appropriate biosecurity measures. The felling required totals approximately 62 hectares in the public forests and 9 hectares in private ownership.

On ground inspections are continuing and further aerial surveillance planned.